Trials of the monkey: An accidental memoir - Hardcover
Book by Chapman, Matthew
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
It seems like the perfect premise--Charles Darwin's great-grandson travels by bus from New York City to Dayton, Tennessee, to witness a reenactment of the infamous 1925 Scopes trial and see how--or if--attitudes toward evolution have changed. Call it "The Voyage of the Greyhound," if you will. But it didn't work out that way.
About the Author:
Matthew Chapman set out to write such a book, but ended up penning this "accidental memoir." Trials of the Monkey is remarkably compelling, given that the narrative wanders back and forth in time, across continents, and all over the place thematically. Descriptions of Chapman's youthful desires, his mother's alcoholism, and the world of Hollywood screenwriting are interspersed with tales of riding along with a Dayton cop on a Friday night, spelunking with Christian students, even sipping moonshine from a jam jar in a restroom stall ("To my surprise, it's excellent").
Those seeking a detailed account of the trial may be disappointed, though Chapman does offer up evocative glimpses, such as prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan--renowned as an orator--quietly telling attorney for the defense Dudley Malone, "Dudley, that was the greatest speech I ever heard." The book is at its best, however, when Chapman reveals his own feelings, such as his realization that though he came in part to "poke fun at [the] hillbillies," everyone had been "just as nice as all get out" to him. The intervening 75 years since the trial may not have changed Dayton very much, but they have seen a widening of the division between creationists and evolutionists. "If something like the Scopes trial was staged now," Chapman notes, "people would be afraid for their lives." --Sunny Delaney
Matthew Chapman was born in Cambridge, England and is the great-great grandson of Charles Darwin. He has written and directed five films, and lived for many years in Los Angeles. A Hollywood screenwriter he now lives in Manhattan. Trials of the Monkey is his first book.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDuckworth
- Publication date2000
- ISBN 10 0715630024
- ISBN 13 9780715630020
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages337
- Rating
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Trails of the Monkey : A Darwin Goes in Search of America and Happens upon Himself
Published by
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1ST. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 13460705-6
Buy Used
US$ 9.02
Convert currency
Stock Image
Trails of the Monkey : A Darwin Goes in Search of America and Happens upon Himself
Published by
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1ST. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 8335589-6
Buy Used
US$ 9.02
Convert currency
Stock Image
TRIALS OF THE MONKEY: An Accidental Memoir
Published by
Duckworth, London
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st edition. Fine/Fine Dust Jacket is in as new condition, apart from normal shop shelf wear - contains no tears or chips or other damage. Quantity Available: 1. Category: biology; ISBN: 0715630024. ISBN/EAN: 9780715630020. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 16047. Seller Inventory # 16047
Buy Used
US$ 5.40
Convert currency
Stock Image
Trials of the Monkey: A Darwin Goes in Search of America and Happens Upon Himself
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002042224
Buy Used
US$ 5.18
Convert currency
Stock Image
Trials of the Monkey: A Darwin Goes in Search of America and Happens Upon Himself
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR004237107
Buy Used
US$ 5.18
Convert currency
Stock Image
Trials of the Monkey: A Darwin Goes in Search of America and Happens Upon Himself (Duck Editions)
Published by
Duck Editions 26/10/2000
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780715630020
Buy Used
US$ 5.76
Convert currency
Stock Image
Trials of the Monkey: An Accidental Memoir
Published by
Duck Editions, London
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description hardcover. Condition: Fine copy in fine dust jacket. 1st edition. 8vo, 337 pp. Seller Inventory # 039217
Buy Used
US$ 7.50
Convert currency
Seller Image
Trials of the Monkey: A Darwin Goes in Search of America and Happens Upon Himself
Published by
Duck Editions
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Small Tears to the Dust Jacket, Slipcase, or cover. Seller Inventory # wbb0022632670
Buy Used
US$ 1.68
Convert currency
Stock Image
Trials of the Monkey: A Darwin Goes in Search of America and Happens Upon Himself (Duck Editions)
Published by
Duck Editions 26/10/2000
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780715630020
Buy Used
US$ 5.76
Convert currency
Stock Image
TRIALS OF THE MONKEY an Accidental Memoir
Published by
DUCK EDITIONS, LONDON, ENGLAND
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0715630024
ISBN 13: 9780715630020
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. Seller Inventory # 004763
Buy Used
US$ 7.95
Convert currency