MANY ENEMIES, MUCH HONOR:

Shot:

It gradually dawned on Darwin that the attacks by Leifchild in the Athenaeum and Owen in the Edinburgh Review had been godsends. As Sigmund Freud would put it thirty-five years later in similar circumstances, “Many enemies, much honor.” Darwin’s critics had turned him into a controversial figure, and a very famous one. For years his friends had been fond of him in a good-old-Charlie fashion. But their demeanor and the very expressions on their faces had changed. Suddenly good old Charlie had become a celebrity. No matter what side of the controversy people came down on, no matter how well they knew him, their involuntary smiles in his presence radiated a certain… mousy awe. And oh, yes, Celebrated Old Charlie picked that up every time. Not even his longtime friendly mentor, elder, protector, and superior when it came to social and intellectual status and public recognition, namely, Lyell— not even Lyell could hold back a certain deference. Without a word, both were aware that their rankings had reversed on every score. Darwin was famous.

—Tom Wolfe, The Kingdom of Speech, which hit the streets this past Tuesday.

Chaser: CBS Chides Tom Wolfe’s ‘Very Dangerous’ Attack on Evolution, Liberal Writer.

—NewsBusters, Wednesday.

It’s a fascinating book, an utterly absorbing read, and a reminder that even at age 85, Wolfe isn’t afraid to hunt the biggest of prey — Chomsky and Darwin — and make the biggest of enemies. Watch for a lengthy review in the not too distant future.