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nrphoto's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book as a good comprehensive primer on the current state of the theory of evolution, and how the evidence continues to mount in favor of the undeniable fact that the earth is ancient on the scale of billions of years, and the diversification of life on earth through natural selection. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for someone like Dawkins to walk a delicate balance between making these subjects easy enough for those of us who don't hold PhDs in zoology or microbiology to follow the evidence, without watering it down to the point that it loses all poignancy. I think He does a brilliant job.
One of my primary reasons for reading the book was to find something I could give to christians who are young-earth creationists that might give them a singular place to go to unpack just how misleading and manipulative the young-earth intelligent design movement is. I think most people in this position mostly read information from dishonest sources that are deliberately misleading and full of pseudo-science and rhetoric. I'd love to find a primer on the actual science behind evolution that could explain the massive problems with young-earth creationism in a way that doesn't insult their core beliefs. I had my doubts that a writing by the world's most famous atheist could do this, and I think I was right. Despite what I think is an honest effort, Dawkins still has trouble hiding his contempt for "history-deniers" as he calls them, and his atheist world view bubbles to the top pretty often. I don't personally have an issue with this, and in fact I can empathize with why Dawkins is so demonstrably irritated with proponents of young-earth creationism. And he's right. It's deplorable that scientists in 2012 have to stop their legitimate research and put dealings in the academic arena on hold in order to defend the basic facts of the universe from what basically amounts to medieval religious persecution. And I think his anger over the matter is directed entirely at the leaders of the movement who are so deliberately ignorant and/or misleading, and not at the average believer on 'the street." But, that's a subtlety that readers who don't believe in evolution on spiritual grounds will likely miss. In a perfect world, people would be able to read this dispassionately. Unfortunately we live in the polarized time of rhetoric and sound bites, and I think the people that most need the information in this book will be turned off and offended by Dawkins' tone. It's a shame, and it shouldn't be true, but it is. What evolution needs is someone who can deliver the science on this 'street-veiw' level without being critical of people's spiritual views. I don't think this book quite hits the right tone.
Still, I really enjoyed it. I learned many things I didn't know. I read it twice straight through, because there was so much here to chew on.
One of my primary reasons for reading the book was to find something I could give to christians who are young-earth creationists that might give them a singular place to go to unpack just how misleading and manipulative the young-earth intelligent design movement is. I think most people in this position mostly read information from dishonest sources that are deliberately misleading and full of pseudo-science and rhetoric. I'd love to find a primer on the actual science behind evolution that could explain the massive problems with young-earth creationism in a way that doesn't insult their core beliefs. I had my doubts that a writing by the world's most famous atheist could do this, and I think I was right. Despite what I think is an honest effort, Dawkins still has trouble hiding his contempt for "history-deniers" as he calls them, and his atheist world view bubbles to the top pretty often. I don't personally have an issue with this, and in fact I can empathize with why Dawkins is so demonstrably irritated with proponents of young-earth creationism. And he's right. It's deplorable that scientists in 2012 have to stop their legitimate research and put dealings in the academic arena on hold in order to defend the basic facts of the universe from what basically amounts to medieval religious persecution. And I think his anger over the matter is directed entirely at the leaders of the movement who are so deliberately ignorant and/or misleading, and not at the average believer on 'the street." But, that's a subtlety that readers who don't believe in evolution on spiritual grounds will likely miss. In a perfect world, people would be able to read this dispassionately. Unfortunately we live in the polarized time of rhetoric and sound bites, and I think the people that most need the information in this book will be turned off and offended by Dawkins' tone. It's a shame, and it shouldn't be true, but it is. What evolution needs is someone who can deliver the science on this 'street-veiw' level without being critical of people's spiritual views. I don't think this book quite hits the right tone.
Still, I really enjoyed it. I learned many things I didn't know. I read it twice straight through, because there was so much here to chew on.
wayfaring_witch's review against another edition
3.0
A great overview of evolutionary evidence. Overall this book didn't offer me a lot of new knowledge, but still well scripted. I am not sure who the perfect audience for this book is as it seemed a bit dry and technical for those unfamiliar with science, but too simple for the scientifically literate. A good compilation, though I was hoping for something to make my brain explode.
It did make me ponder about how the same nucleotides that make us make plants, and it made me want to hug a tree. So crazy.
It did make me ponder about how the same nucleotides that make us make plants, and it made me want to hug a tree. So crazy.
straaawbs's review against another edition
4.0
So, personal feelings on Dawkins aside, you can't deny he's got some kickass explanatory skills. I mean, I am by no means an expert on evolution, and I found this book really easy to follow. Along with others of his that I've read.
This is technically aimed at Creationists, people who believe in intelligent design, the sort of folks who think the Earth is 6000 years old. I don't know if this book is going to find that audience, because they're not exactly interested in science, evidence, and facts in general. They're probably not gonna pick up a book by Richard Dawkins of all people. You can tell Dawkins, with his passion for evolution, is not best pleased that these people are trying to get the theory of evolution banned from school curriculums and continue to spread misinformation about what evolution actually is. This is something he's devoted his life to, after all. He's pissed, and he shows it. That might bother you if you're the sensitive sort. It didn't bother me because those same people tend to be the ones who are trying to take away the rights of people like me so I'm not overly concerned with sparing their feelings.
Personally, I didn't need any convincing that evolution is a real thing that really happens, so I really can't tell how convinced you'll be by this book if you don't believe in it already. But I learned some new things, and it was not a dry read at all. He writes good.
I'm just gonna blissfully pretend that he is not seen as the ultimate spokesperson for atheism.
This is technically aimed at Creationists, people who believe in intelligent design, the sort of folks who think the Earth is 6000 years old. I don't know if this book is going to find that audience, because they're not exactly interested in science, evidence, and facts in general. They're probably not gonna pick up a book by Richard Dawkins of all people. You can tell Dawkins, with his passion for evolution, is not best pleased that these people are trying to get the theory of evolution banned from school curriculums and continue to spread misinformation about what evolution actually is. This is something he's devoted his life to, after all. He's pissed, and he shows it. That might bother you if you're the sensitive sort. It didn't bother me because those same people tend to be the ones who are trying to take away the rights of people like me so I'm not overly concerned with sparing their feelings.
Personally, I didn't need any convincing that evolution is a real thing that really happens, so I really can't tell how convinced you'll be by this book if you don't believe in it already. But I learned some new things, and it was not a dry read at all. He writes good.
I'm just gonna blissfully pretend that he is not seen as the ultimate spokesperson for atheism.
whippycleric's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
This was my first Richard Dawkins book and I'll happily read more of them. There were plenty of interesting points throughout the book and for the most part he avoided repeating the same points, which I've found to be a common problem in popular science books. If you've watched, and enjoyed, videos of his lectures then you can take solace in knowing this book reads very much like one. I would rate it higher if the science behind some of the points was gone into more depth. The book clearly targets those who have an interest in understanding how the world works, but not necessarily coming from a science background.
pidgevorg's review against another edition
4.0
This book’s target audience is supposed to be creationists, but since Dawkins is a famous (infamous?) atheist, I really doubt any creationists will actually read it. If they do, they will find some good evidence for evolution, but also a lot of speculations that are interesting to a general reader but will most likely make any skeptic suspicious. For those who are not creationists, the books reads a little like an Evolution for Dummies, which is actually exactly the reason why I like it. It describes some interesting experiments and observations that provide evidence for evolution in a very easy to follow way, which is great for a biology ignoramus like me. It’s good for some laughs as well, sometimes at creationism’s expense. Yet another reason why I liked it a lot, but a creationist probably won’t.
mikiher's review against another edition
5.0
Another brilliant work from the Dawkins incessant enlightenment powerhouse. Provides will needed ammunition in the battle against ignorance.
pingthevile's review against another edition
4.0
Dawkins presents his compendium of evidence for the theory of evolution and does a good job, but not as good as Jerry Coyne did in Why Evolution is True. Dawkins seems a bit rambly in this book and though much of it is very informative and well written (the chapter on radiometric dating is brilliant!), it feels somewhat disjointed, as if each chapter was written independently as opposed to a cohesive part of a single book.
Dawkins also spends quite a bit of time discussing how the evidence for evolution refutes creationist claims, a theme that weaves its way throughout the book. Though I agreed with his reasoning, it seemed superfluous to the main subject of the book and I found it distracting at times.
If you're only going to read one book about the evidence for evolution, read Coyne's book. However, if you're looking for more, The Greatest Show on Earth is a great choice.
Dawkins also spends quite a bit of time discussing how the evidence for evolution refutes creationist claims, a theme that weaves its way throughout the book. Though I agreed with his reasoning, it seemed superfluous to the main subject of the book and I found it distracting at times.
If you're only going to read one book about the evidence for evolution, read Coyne's book. However, if you're looking for more, The Greatest Show on Earth is a great choice.