A Mirror to Nature: Reflections on Science, Scientists and Society

Bev Eastman is a high-school biology and general science teacher in
Chatham, Ontario.

There could be no more apt description of this book’s contents than
Knudtson’s own statement that it represents reflections on “science,
scientists and society.” The five-part book is subdivided into short
but informative articles on a diverse host of topics. Knudtson is well
qualified to discuss the biological science of harbor seals: he holds a
master’s degree obtained through extensive study of that species. His
life has been a kaleidoscope of jobs—from wildlife biologist to
solar-energy activist to computer-manual writer to farm laborer. That
experience infuses his writing with much more than scientific data.
Knudtson describes his writing this way: “I simply had to begin to
grant greater expression to awe, anger, joy, fear, and other such
irrational manifestations of ordinary human experience that lie beyond
and complement the mind’s cool intellect and reason.”

It is unlikely that a reader would find all parts of this text equally
interesting. Part 1 offers a scientific discussion of harbor seals, monk
seals, and marine iguanas. Part 2 discusses such notable scientists as
Calvin and Suzuki from a human perspective. Part 3 provides insight into
the Wintun of California, as well as a natural history selection of
Haida basketry. Part 4 elaborates on the Maya Indians and deals with
Rushton’s paper on race differences. The book concludes with Part 5,
which uses genetic differences as a starting point for discussion.
Eugenics and the future of humankind are thought-provoking subjects that
make a very fitting way to leave the reader.

This book should appeal to a wide audience. Its short but interesting
articles on such a variety of topics stimulate the mind.