Negotiating Darwin: The Vatican Confronts Evolution, 1877-1902. By Mariano Artigas,Thomas F. Glick, and Rafael A. Martinez. [Medicine, Science, and Religion in Historical Context.] (Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 2006. Pp. x, 326. $50.00.) In this attitudes toward extending to the highest levels of the Church, are examined with reference to the published works of six Catholic authors: Raffaello Caverni, Dalmace Leroy John A. Zahm, Geremia Bonomelli, John C. Hedley and St. George Jackson Mivart. Artigas, Glick, and Martinez found that the Holy See adopted a reactive rather than a proactive response to evolutionism, taking action only when published works were brought to its attention. The ecclesiastical authorities in Rome, mindful of the shadow of Galileo, were extremely careful to be seen to respect the rightful autonomy of science (pp. 281-82). Therefore, no public condemnation of evolutionary theory issued forth from Rome. Instead, the authorities sought to persuade offending authors to issue public retractions. The institutional church could thus impede the acceptance of evolution among Catholics and at the same time retain the option of changing its stance if it thought it prudent to do so. Negotiating Darwin is a well-researched and insightful study of the Holy see's response to evolutionism from 1877 to 1902. However, a number of critical observations can be made. In the case of Zahm we read that he did not issue a retraction of the controversial views he expressed in Evolution and Dogma (pp. 17,197, 235,278).This is certainly true in the context of his letter to Alfonso Maria Galea. But, in a broader context, it does not seem quite so accurate because Ave read that, in response to the prohibition by the Congregation of the Index, communicated through his Superior General, Zahm submitted in a praiseworthy manner and repudiated his book (pp. 157-58, 188).This would seem to qualify as a private rather than a public retraction-but a retraction nevertheless. The authors, quite rightly, draw the attention of their readers to distinctions in status and function between the Holy Office and the Congregation of the Index. However, we are also informed of the interconnections between the two Congregations, which, in turn, are important for understanding the internal politics of the Vatican. It was not uncommon for the Holy Office to act against an author by instructing the Index to prohibit his work. …