Christopher Lane (1) (1966–)

NCLA Review -The first great “Age of Doubt” was the Victorian era. This book presents a scholarly look at that time and the ramifications echoing in our present day inability to recognize the value and necessity of doubt. Lane present portraits of many of the scientific, literary and intellectual icons of the 19th Century who grappled with the religious orthodoxy prevalent in England at that time and the growing body of scientific knowledge that cast doubt on those beliefs. Many Victorians came to view doubt as inseparable from belief and as a conduit to clarifying their beliefs. Lane explores how today’s extremes of Richard Dawkins’ atheism and the Biblical literalists behind the Creations Museum deny individuals the freedom to embrace doubt. This thought provoking book would be an enlightening read for anyone no matter where on the spectrum from atheism through Biblical literalism they may be. Rating 4 – AL… (mais)

I just couldn't get far into this book - the premise was fascinating (psychiatrists! drug companies! intrigue!) but the language was too dry and the constant footnote and statistic slinging rendered it less accessible than I would have liked. The author also seems to contradict himself a few times in the Introduction (about as far as I made it, although I did read a few pages into each of the chapters). This would have made a great NYT Magazine article, but as a book it lost my interest too quickly.… (mais)