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The Jesuit and the Skull: Teilhard de Chardin, Evolution, and the Search for Peking Man
In December 1929, in a cave near Peking, a group of anthropologists and archaeologists that included a young French Jesuit priest named Pierre Teilhard de Chardin uncovered a pre-human skull. The find quickly became known around the world as Peking Man and was acclaimed as the missing link between erect hunting apes and our Cro-Magnon ancestors. It also became a provocativ...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
October 4th 2007
by Riverhead Hardcover
(first published 2007)
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When I was a child, the enlightened nuns in my elementary school taught evolution and maintained that there is no conflict between the truths of science and those of religion. I was out of high school before I realized that there are people who believe that the Bible should be taken literally.
About the same time I started learning the Catechism, Pierre Teillard de Chardin--a priest and world-renowned scientist--died in New York. His extraordinary writings, which talk about the mental and spiritu...more
About the same time I started learning the Catechism, Pierre Teillard de Chardin--a priest and world-renowned scientist--died in New York. His extraordinary writings, which talk about the mental and spiritu...more
Very good book--definitely worth reading. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), Jesuit, a brilliant paleontologist and a theologian (he would not have claimed to have been a theologian), ran afoul of the Jesuit and Catholic hierarchy because of his views on evolution. The Church forbade him from publishing his works and, to totally silence him, exiled him to China in 1922 and made him stay there until the Communist took over China after World War II. While there, he participated in the discove...more
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If I could give this book another half-star I would... it's the intriguing biography of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a real French Jesuit priest and scientist who has no problem reconciling his love of God with the theory of evolution, although everyone else in the world seems to have a major problem with it--and seems bent on ruining his life, just because. At times sublime, at times utterly infuriating (especially if you're a dissenting Catholic who is baffled by arguments that global warming a...more
This a wonderful book on both the history of science and the history of the search for human ancestors. The book contains a nice primmer for mondern theory of human evolution and a breakdown of the major discoveries , but having studied this in graduate school I found it a little basic. The book did point out how easy it is for us to get caught up in the idea that if one is to believe in God one must not believe in evolution. Aczel shocks this idea out of you by wrapping you into the life of Pie...more
I enjoyed especially the central theme of this book--that of de Chardin's struggle to simultaneously inhabit the world's of science and religion while remaining true to both. What a struggle he faced and how very real this struggle has been through the ages. The story is relevant in today's world of climate change deniers and likewise, believe it or not, still the evolution deniers so central to the de Chardin story. I found Aczel's writing sharp and interesting and suspect I will seek out anoth...more
I listened to The Jesuit and the Skull as an MP3 audiobook. The book deals quite extensively with the development of the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin and the archaeological evidence for the development of humanity through the Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis arriving at Homo sapiens. It is sandwiched within this extended background information that the story of Teilhard de Chardin is told, focusing mostly on his struggle with the Jesuits over the publication of his idea...more
I am mainly interested in the mystery of the Peking Man disappearance. I picked up this book hoping for some new insights on that topic, as well as to learn more about Teilhard de Chardin. The book starts with some background on Teilhard and then proceeds to give a high level account of human evolution and related human species evolution dead ends that produced ancient and extinct hominid branches. I am familiar with Teilhards works and concepts, so it was nice to see material presented about hi...more
A surprising book from an author I had not heard of previously. He is a mathematician that has written many books on different aspects of the history of science and mathematics. In this historical novel, I learned intimate details of the life of a very unique person, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and his life as a Jesuit priest. He was controversial because, as a scientist, he subscribed to evolution theory that was not acceptable to the Catholic Church and his order. He was sent to China by his o...more
I now pronounce you science and religion. You may now kiss the bride. I love reading about the progress we've made in realizing how much they have in common. No offense to Teilhard, but the entire time I was picturing him as Gabriel Byrne in one of my favorite movies of all time, Stigmata. Byrne's character and Teilhard were both priests making remarkable scientific discoveries that clashed with the church, that had to figure out what faith is in a modern world. So interesting! Except Byrne is h...more
In December 1929, in a cave near Peking, a group of anthropologists and archaeologists that included a young French Jesuit priest named Pierre Teilhard de Chardin uncovered a pre-human skull. The find quickly became known around the world as Peking Man and was acclaimed as the missing link between erect hunting apes and our Cro-Magnon ancestors. It also became a provocative piece of evidence in the roiling debate over creationism versus evolution.
For Teilhard, both a scientist and man of God, th...more
For Teilhard, both a scientist and man of God, th...more
Dr. Aczel presents the intriguing story of the Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin seeking to make progress regarding human evolution while facing increasing suppression from his order and the Vatican. The author is a well-known scholar in the field of philosophy and science and writes a compelling story about a complicated field. Nonetheless, the story is told from the Teilard's standpoint. Yet we know in almost all human endeavor, there are multiple sides to every story. Here, it would be fascin...more
As one who is trying to show others that there is no conflict between religion and science, I have always been interested in learning more about Tielhard de Chardin -- a Jesuit priest who has gone farther than anyone in addressing this issue. The book not only fulfilled this interest, but also reviewed the development of our awareness of the evolution of the human species (with more recent updates). This is a definite must-read for everyone who is interested in these issues. I found the intrigui...more
In The Jesuit and the Skull, bestselling author Amir D. Aczel vividly recounts how the discovery of Peking Man by, among others, a young Jesuit priest named Pierre Teilhard de Chardin helped to open the eyes of the world to new theories of humanity's origins that alarmed the traditionalists within the Church. A deft mix of narrative history and a poignant personal story, The Jesuit and the Skull brings fresh insight to a debate that still rages today.
Listen to The Jesuit and the Skull on your sm...more
Listen to The Jesuit and the Skull on your sm...more
I love this book.
It is covering two topics I am particularly interested in right now - Paleontology and Jesuit Spirtuality.
On the Paleontology side, its a fascinating story of the discovery (and subsequent loss) of the fossils of "Peking Man", a real missing link, somewhere between Java Man and the Neaderthals. Peking Man was probably the first homonid to harness fire. Acxel does an excellent job of both telling Teilhard's story as a scientist, but also putting the importance of his work in th...more
It is covering two topics I am particularly interested in right now - Paleontology and Jesuit Spirtuality.
On the Paleontology side, its a fascinating story of the discovery (and subsequent loss) of the fossils of "Peking Man", a real missing link, somewhere between Java Man and the Neaderthals. Peking Man was probably the first homonid to harness fire. Acxel does an excellent job of both telling Teilhard's story as a scientist, but also putting the importance of his work in th...more
I enjoyed this book very much. In addition to the fact that it is a great read the Author was very helpful in assisting our office with contact information for several individual that might help our office--in the course of my work we were involved in trying to locate a map of Camp Holcomb in China as one of the last places on earth where the Peking Man's remains were know to be in the protection of the US Marines on the eve of America's entrance into WWII. The story follows the last known event...more
Sort of a history of the twentieth century search for the origins of may told through the life of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Teilhard de Chardin was a French Jesuit who was a leader in the search for early mankind. Because he was a Jesuit the Catholic Church had a veto on all his publication and they vetoed almost everything he wanted to publish on evolution, early man, or philosophy. As a good Catholic he, like Galaleo, allowed the Church to keep him from his work. The Church does not come off...more
The Jesuit & the Skull- Teilhard De Chardin,
Evolution and the Search for Peking Man.
By Amir D. Aczel
Teilhard de Chardin was a French Philosopher. He was also a trained paleontologist and geologist and a Jesuit priest.
Took his first vows as a Jesuit in 1901 and was ordained a priest in 1911
In the early 1920’s, de Chardin’s views on evolution, Original Sin, Adam & Eve and the Garden of Eden came under scrutiny of both the Vatican and his Order. He was pressured to leave Europe and go to C...more
Evolution and the Search for Peking Man.
By Amir D. Aczel
Teilhard de Chardin was a French Philosopher. He was also a trained paleontologist and geologist and a Jesuit priest.
Took his first vows as a Jesuit in 1901 and was ordained a priest in 1911
In the early 1920’s, de Chardin’s views on evolution, Original Sin, Adam & Eve and the Garden of Eden came under scrutiny of both the Vatican and his Order. He was pressured to leave Europe and go to C...more
My favorite topics, science and history. After reading half of this book I decided to get all the books written by this author. The writing is well done and more than understandable. What is most attractive about this book is the subject matter. We've all heard about Peeking Man, but what do we know? This book gives a fascinating overview of the discovery and de Chardin's involvement in the science of paleontology both before and after the discovery. This book is more a summary of de Chardin's l...more
"The Jesuit and the Skull: Teilhard de Chardin, Evolution, and the Search for Peking Man" was a good retelling of the events and life of the Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The main focus of the book is about how Teilhard was an exceptional scientist and devoted priest, concurrently. It covers how he contributed to the discovery of Peking man (aka, "The Missing Link") and his work that promoted the understanding and acceptance of evolutionary theory, but the book also spends a good de...more
one really develops sympathy with Teilhard. A brilliant scientist and Christian mystic wrapped in the robes of a Jesuit priest in the first half of the 20th century. His books were never published in his lifetime because of his views on evolution which conflicted with the Church's doctrines. Banishment to China became a grace when he joined the team that discovered the Peking Man fossils that added another missing piece to the development of mankind. The book covers much science, history, and bi...more
100% excellent. aczel tells a fair story of the struggles that de chardin experienced for being waaayyy ahead of his time. this book gives a decent account and a full context of de chardin's paleontology findings and the inferences he drew from these findings during the first half of the 20th century while also giving a strong context for the century's lingering mindset as science was making major breakthroughs and the set (established) mentality had not yet caught up with the mind-blowing new t...more
Profoundly disappointing. Fully half of this book is a basic overview of human evolution that could have easily been cribbed out of any introductory textbook. Worse still is that the remaining few chapters actually about Teilhard de Chardin are biography of the most pedestrian type; "he went here, he met this person, he went there, he met that person, he went on this expedition, etc."
I'd always been curious about Teilhard de Chardin since happening across a book about him in the Manresa retreat house library. I maybe would have preferred this one as a long National Geographic piece (the book does have a smattering of b/w photos.) Pretty accessible for those who don't excel at science or theology.
I read this book primarily because I had already been exposed to the philosophy/thought process and admired Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The book's title and cover squib intrigued me so I read it and was glad I did, I love history and anthropology and this book had both. Not too much of his spiritual thinking but worth reading.
If you are interested in the dynamics between science and mysticism then this is a great book. Pierre de Chardin is a fascinating figure and this book is a great introduction to his very original ideas and amazing life. He was a true warrior of the soul and the mind.
First half a review of scientific evidence for evolution. A little about Teilhard and Peking man. A lot about Lucile and the censorship by the church of his written musings.
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Aczel does a better job of relating Teilhard's love for paleoanthropology than he does his his love for the Church, which makes it unbalanced and a bit of a head-scratcher for me. As an introductory primer on hominid evolution it's not bad; as a cursory biography it isn't bad either. But I wish Aczel had dig a little bit further into his theology. He was a Jesuit first and foremost, and the sacrifices he made for his order were profound. At the end of the book, I was left wondering... why??
Aug 11, 2010
Janet Frasier
added it
I bought this book for my husband two years ago after hearing the author interviewed on the radio on one of those "best science books of the year" discussion. So far, in the opening, is a quick overview of scientific thought that led to Darwin's Origin of the Species and how each step along the way contributed to the divide between science and religion.
It was very interesting. I learned a lot! Demonstrates the importance of keeping track of things in a museum and science research institution!!
It was very interesting. I learned a lot! Demonstrates the importance of keeping track of things in a museum and science research institution!!
It's a summary of evolution! It's a travelog! It's an epistolary love story!
Actually, it's a mess. But a somewhat enjoyable one.
Actually, it's a mess. But a somewhat enjoyable one.
An interesting story, but I can't help but feel that there's more to the story than the author presents.
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“[Davidson] Black procured cadavers for research, obtained from the Peking police department. These cadavers were mostly of people who had been executed for various crimes; the police regularly sent Black truckloads of the bodies of the executed convicts. Execution in China was by beheading, and thus the cadavers Black received lacked heads and had mutilated necks. After some time, he asked the police whether there was any possibility of getting better dead bodies for research - corpses that were intact. The next day, he received a shipment of convicts, all chained together, with a note from the police asking him to kill them in any way he chose.”
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