A meticulously researched account of the 1925 Scopes trial was presented.

I had anticipated more details regarding the last aspect of the subtitle, namely the continuing debate over science and religion. Consequently, this history did not precisely meet my specific expectations. However, I still valued how Larson skillfully portrayed the subtleties of the cultural context surrounding the trial. His account was remarkably balanced, clearly depicting the passions of all sides in the debate. The writing was always lucid, yet the copious amounts of quotations without additional analysis and the nature of the trial, which was repetitive with the sides arguing past one another, often made the reading a bit laborious for me.

Although the painstaking depiction of the trial was necessary, I still greatly preferred the final chapters of the book that analyzed both the immediate reactions and the emerging mythos of the trial. The Scopes trial did not receive much attention in my high school history class, and I have never watched Inherit the Wind, but I am aware of its status as a cultural sticking point. Therefore, I appreciated the depth to which Larson was able to trace how and why misconceptions developed.

I had incorrect expectations about the extent to which the book delved into the continuing debate alluded to by the subtitle. I was slightly annoyed when the cultural changes regarding how fundamentalism's opposition to evolution manifested were only analyzed in the context of the Scopes trial. I understand that this is the focus of the book, but still, for instance, I wanted to know about the other contributing factors that led to the shift from fundamentalists protesting the teaching of evolution in public schools to abandoning public education for homeschooling or private Christian schools. What were the economic and broader social changes involved? For example, did racial integration play a role? I fully comprehended why the book focused solely on placing this in the context of antievolution, but it still felt like a rather superficial analysis to highlight this shift and only explain it within the antievolution context.

The author of this book was a professor of mine at the University of Georgia. Ever since then, I had a desire to read this book. However, I should have simply ignored that feeling.

I really do not understand why this book won the Pulitzer Prize. It was extremely boring! I had to struggle a great deal to finish it, and I did not enjoy a single moment of it.

It read exactly like a dissertation, and I found myself repeatedly checking how many pages were left for me to endure.

The lack of engaging plot and interesting characters made it a real chore to get through. I had high expectations, but unfortunately, this book failed to meet any of them.

I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable read. It was a huge disappointment.

This one was really a tough nut to crack for me initially. I had to trudge forward with great perseverance. However, once I reached the "During" section, the story seemed to unfold at a much faster pace.

It's truly remarkable how this change in pace can have such a significant impact on the reading experience.

I believe that historians, in particular, will find this book to be of great interest. The detailed accounts and insights provided within its pages are likely to offer valuable contributions to the field of history.

Whether it's the exploration of specific events or the examination of broader historical trends, this book has the potential to enhance our understanding of the past.

Overall, despite the initial challenges, I'm glad I stuck with it and discovered the engaging nature of the "During" section. It's a book that I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in history or a thirst for knowledge.

Even the most dedicated young history enthusiast discovers new knowledge from time to time. This book presented such an opportunity, and it was truly a delightful one!

During high school, I had only come across the term "Monkey Trial" occasionally while skimming through a thick history textbook, without really grasping its essence. However, during my college studies, when my professor assigned our class to read this book about the famous "Trial of the Century," I was overjoyed. We even had the chance to watch the 1960 film "Inherit the Wind," which closely adapts the events of the book, although the characters have different names. I was eager to learn as much as possible about what this "Monkey Trial" was all about.

Larson resurrects the passion that made this trial, especially its pre-hype, capture the nation's attention in the mid-1920s. He does an outstanding job of detailing the changing social climate between traditionalism and progressivism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Larson provides 21st-century readers with a comprehensive overview of what the two main figures in this trial, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, would have meant to the people, both locals and the national media, during that era. The small town of Dayton, Tennessee, was transformed overnight into a media circus, with every aspect of the trial being transmitted across the country and the world through one of the newest forms of communication, the telegraph. These aspects are also beautifully covered in this book.

Even if you're not a fan of legal proceedings, I guarantee that you won't be disappointed with both the courtroom drama and the dramatic events that occur outside the courtroom and after the decision. It's a battle between science and religion! Conflicts are inevitable! Finally, a great overview of the evolving status of creationism and evolutionism over the past century is explored, especially in relation to school curriculum and religious revivals among the general public.

Larson impressed me deeply by covering a complex topic that is often overly simplified in textbooks and by exploring all aspects of this trial, including its causes and its legacy. As I mentioned earlier, it would be great, especially for visual learners, to watch the 1960 parable film of this trial, "Inherit the Wind." This book will likely leave you in awe, both of the "gods" who dominated that summer of 1925 and of the incredible passion people have for scientific and religious beliefs.

Phenomenal book! It's blatantly obvious why it's a winner of the Pulitzer. The writing is extremely engaging, and the story is told with great finesse. The structure of the book is堪称完美. In particular, the middle part with the trial narrative is truly captivating. Larson masterfully weaves in narrative accounts and speeches, making the day of the trial come alive vividly.

I also highly appreciate the neutrality and nuance with which he approaches this charged topic. He portrays Bryan and Darrow as clever and complex individuals, with both admirable and criticizable aspects. I think he does a spectacular job of balancing the arguments of both sides. Truly, it's one of the best examples of this that I've ever seen.

As for the story itself, given that I now live in TN, I find it particularly informative. I also find myself getting riled up by many of the moments and the logic used in anti-evolutionary arguments. The book also enlightens me about many of the persistent myths surrounding the Scopes trial. Moreover, I like how Larson explains the origins of its folklore at the end of the book. It's not only enlightening but also an absolute pleasure to read.

"It would be ridiculous to entrust the education of children to an oligarchy of scientists."

William Jennings Bryan (p. 105)

The actual courtroom drama in Dayton was rather brief, lasting for less than 50 pages. Half of the book details the lead-up to the jury trial. It includes the ACLU's premeditated efforts to solicit a case to challenge anti-evolution statutes. Unlike the somewhat loose adaption in "Inherit the Wind" (1960), John Scopes was a willing participant in this planned ACLU challenge to the Butler Act of 1924. He was an unmarried math and physics teacher, not firmly tied to Dayton, TN, and was willing to endure the ordeal.

The aftermath of the trial was a mix of heartening and dispiriting elements. The appeal of Scopes' "conviction" was neither overturned nor upheld, due to the deft maneuvering by 3 of 5 judges. This was the depressing part as no judge wanted to take responsibility, a pattern that is unfortunately common in our modern Supreme Court. Moreover, a poorly researched history text of the 1920s, "Only Yesterday: An Informal History of the 1920's" by Frederick Lewis Allen, led to widespread misinformation about the trial, its participants, its outcome, and later popular adaptions in theatre and film.

The discussion of the aftermath is the most enriching aspect. Most of us have a certain conception of the events in our minds, and unless we have read deeply, these ideas are likely misapprehensions, such as the belief that Darrow smashed Bryan, which is not what actually occurred. This has motivated me to read the transcript itself. WGN broadcast the trial live, but no recording was made. One clear difference from modern legal controversies is that we are much rougher today. By modern standards, this was a relatively light-hearted episode. William Jennings Bryan, despite his bombast and primitive thinking, even offered to pay John Scopes' $100 fine. In contrast to the 1950s, when authoritarian conspiracy theorists like McCarthy were locking Americans up for contrary opinions, and to today, where any discussion of this magnitude would be filled with bile, venom, death threats, and promises of political or actual annihilation. Here is a rare instance where I long for the attitude of the past.

This book is highly poignant, especially when considering today's attitudes and atmosphere in the US.

It does have a tendency to get bogged down a bit by the back story and history leading up to the trial discussion. We are presented with perhaps a little too much in the way of the definition of fundamentalism, the nuances of evolution theory, and the state of mind of William Jennings Bryan. Additionally, there may be a bit too much repetitive back and forth of the myriad opinions and motivations of all the various stakeholders.

However, those small foibles aside, it was an excellent read. I had very little knowledge of the story, and what I thought I knew was largely incorrect due to the way it has been portrayed in popular culture. The author does an excellent job of describing how a vague and largely unpopular law, which no one ever expected to actually be enforced, has shaped the broad understanding of evolution and science itself for a century.

The extent to which both sides both won and lost as a result of, and since, the trial is truly remarkable when understood in full context. Not to mention that the trial itself was a grandiose sideshow that ran counter to what the ACLU was hoping for when they instigated it all. They had only wanted the foregone conclusion that the law would be upheld so they could appeal the decision and test it constitutionally, a result that took decades.

The town of Dayton simply wanted to drive business and get back on the map of east Tennessee. Which they did, but only for a few days, with no other real lasting impact for the town.

Overall, it is a worthy read, although you might be able to get everything you really need to know in a shorter volume. Still, the afterward added so much context that it made it completely worth it.

The definitive book (I firmly believe) about the renowned Scopes "Monkey Trial" that took place in Tennessee during the summer of 1925. This trial has long been regarded as the epic Battle between Science and Religion, between Evolution and Creationism. It was truly the Battle of the Titans, with Clarence Darrow pitted against William Jennings Bryan.

At that time, it garnered an enormous amount of media attention, captivating the nation. This trial also served as the inspiration for the classic play and, subsequently, the film, "Inherit the Wind."

I fully intend to add more details to this review at a later time. However, I can already say that it is a very engaging read. I wholeheartedly give it 5 stars.

It offers a fascinating glimpse into a significant moment in American history, one that continues to spark debate and discussion to this day.

Accessible
Descriptive

This book is crafted in a way that makes it highly accessible and descriptive.

For those who grew up in the American Bible Belt or the American South, the discussion within the book will be easily followed. It delves into aspects that are familiar to this demographic, allowing them to engage with the content on a personal level.

Moreover, individuals who have a basic understanding of the history of the fight for civil rights will also find the book engaging. It builds upon this knowledge, providing further insights and perspectives that enhance the reader's understanding of this important topic.

Even those who simply enjoy personalities and characters will be drawn to the book. The vivid descriptions and engaging stories bring the individuals and events to life, making it a captivating read.

What initially began as a mere publicity stunt has now transformed into a cultural phenomenon. Here, you can discover the fascinating journey of how it all came into being.

So, whether you have a specific connection to the American South, an interest in civil rights history, or a love for engaging stories, this book has something to offer.

I read this again for my exams and, apparently, I am way more into it than the first time. I still have a disagreement with how Larson frames the fundamentalist-modernist divide. However, I truly appreciate what this history has to offer and think it’s a fantastic read.

I particularly love his treatment of Bryan. It avoids lumping him in with other fundamentalists of the time. Instead, it shows just how truly strange it seems to us in contemporary times that a Progressive Era populist led the anti-evolution case! I think it is a much better handling of Bryan than what Marsden did.

This second reading has given me a deeper understanding and a newfound appreciation for the work. Despite my differences with Larson on certain aspects, I can't deny the value and interest that this history holds.

The 1925 Scopes Trial is a significant event that has been the subject of much study and debate.

This article provides an authoritative, comprehensive, detailed, and excellently researched account of the trial. It covers everything you could ever want or need to know about the trial itself, including the legal proceedings and the key moments that shaped its outcome.

It also delves into the people involved, profiling the main characters such as Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan. Their opposing views on evolution and creationism added to the drama and intensity of the trial.

The politics surrounding the trial are also explored, highlighting the social and cultural context in which it took place. The ongoing controversy and battle between evolution and creationism are still relevant today, and this article provides valuable insights into this ongoing debate.

Overall, this is an entertaining, accessible, and informative read that offers a fascinating look at one of the most important trials in American history.

In reading historian/lawyer Edward J. Larson's book, "Summer of the Gods", I was truly enlightened.

I realized that a significant portion of what I believed I knew about the Scopes Trial of 1925 was actually founded on a mythology, or rather a fiction, a fabrication that was presented in Lawrence and Lee's play/film, "Inherit the Wind".

"Summer of the Gods" is not just an opinionated and popular rehashing of the work of others. Instead, it is a scholarly work that delves back into documented primary sources.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to obtain the facts regarding the Scopes Trial, both before, during, and after.

Indeed, there is far more to this book than just the trial itself. It also explores politics, attitudes, and culture.

Honestly, in my humble opinion, it is not a niche book. What it addresses is highly relevant to the broad spectrum of how we, as "rational" beings in our greater community, live today.

It provides valuable insights into the past that can help us better understand the present and make more informed decisions for the future.