Gould's essays are on science, including evolution and paleontology -- but they're also about the human condition. Whether he's talking about how nature develops complex structures, the differences between science and religion, the human tendency to misinterpret science and statistics, or how scientific knowledge develops, I find his writing inspirational and interesting. His voice will be missed.
A list of recommended books by Stephen Jay Gould:
I Have Landed: The End of a Beginning in Natural History - 2002
The Structure of Evolutionary Theory - 2002
Rocks of Ages : Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life - 2002
The Lying Stones of Marrakech : Penultimate Reflections in Natural History - 2001
The Book of Life: An Illustrated History of the Evolution of Life on Earth, Second Edition - 2001
Leonardo's Mountain of Clams and the Diet of Worms : Essays on Natural History - 1999
Why People Believe Weird Things : Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time
Full House : The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin - 1997
Dinosaur in a Haystack : Reflections in Natural History - 1997
Eight Little Piggies : Reflections in Natural History - 1994
Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes - 1994 reissue
The Mismeasure of Man - 1993 reissue
Ever Since Darwin : Reflections in Natural History - 1992 reissue
The Panda's Thumb : More Reflections in Natural History - 1992 reissue
Bully for Brontosaurus : Reflections in Natural History - 1992
The Flamingo's Smile : Reflections in Natural History - 1987