A review by jrlee27
Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion by Edward J. Larson

5.0

In reading historian/lawyer Edward J. Larson's book, "Summer of the Gods", I became aware of how much I thought I knew of the Scopes Trial of 1925 was based on a mythology, actually a fiction, a fabrication, that was put forth in Lawrence and Lee's play/film, "Inherit the Wind". "Summer of the Gods" is not an opinionated popular rehash of the work of others but rather a scholarly work going back to documented primary sources. I strongly recommend this book to get the facts relative to the Scopes Trial before, during, and after. Indeed there is so much more here than just the trial but also on politics, attitudes, and culture. Honestly, IMHO, it is not a niche book as what it addresses is pretty much applicable to the breadth of how we as "rational" beings in our greater community live today.