In the midst of the culture wars over creation versus evolution, this book deserves a wide readership beyond those interested in Darwin as a person and scientist. This is not narrowly limited to Darwin's personal beliefs, but discusses theological responses to such issues as biblical literalism and the comprehensibility of god. The focus is on Darwin's period, but Phipps also reaches back to early Christian theologians and forward to present thinkers. It is, on the one hand, encouraging to see such a passionate middle ground, and on the other discouraging to see that the same battles are repeatedly fought. I wish that I had been steered towards such profound and subtle thinkers during my own crisis of faith.

Darwin is such a major cultural figure and so abundantly documented that it is impossible to do justice to him in a single biography. I therefore welcome such specialized biographical works, particularly in the hands of someone as careful and thoughtful as Phipps. I read the book with great interest and have been left with considerable food for thought.

Michael Ruse has written some complementary books on similar topics, including The Evolution-Creation Struggle. ( )