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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I read this book as someone who was completely science illiterate. It was not only a great introduction to genetics and biology in general, but it introduced some really neat concepts (like memes, and that genes have 'desires', anthropomorphically speaking). This book was accessible and really hooked me into learning more about science. I attribute this book as to the turning point that eventually lead to my becoming a science teacher.
A couple of the ideas in this book were pretty revolutionary, and Dawkins coined some pretty now-popular terms in this little gem.
This book is very general and introductory, so if you are well versed in genetics, this may not be the book for you - though it has some great analogies that may be useful to have in your head for the next cocktail party you're at. Do people still have cocktail parties? Anyway, fantastic book!
A couple of the ideas in this book were pretty revolutionary, and Dawkins coined some pretty now-popular terms in this little gem.
This book is very general and introductory, so if you are well versed in genetics, this may not be the book for you - though it has some great analogies that may be useful to have in your head for the next cocktail party you're at. Do people still have cocktail parties? Anyway, fantastic book!
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
The book that gave us the word "meme" ultimately didn't disappoint, but the author contradicted himself more often than I'd expect in such foundational work.
Undoubtably one of the formative books of modern day ethology and I really do like Richard Dawkins writing style. Unfortunately, I was already kinda familiar with most of the content so it wasn't as illuminating as it probably was when it was initially published. None-the-less, it is very well argued and absolutely deserves its merits for its strong and logical development of the gene's eye view of evolution. I was initially planning to read 'The Extended Phenotype' but have decided against that now; I feel it would just be more of the same stuff I already know.
Very good for beginners to ecology and ethology though and that is the audience I would recommend it too.
Very good for beginners to ecology and ethology though and that is the audience I would recommend it too.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
“Let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish. Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to, because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs, something that no other species has ever aspired to do.”
This was a very interesting read; thinking about altruism as a logical and desirable outcome in the face of species being forced to coexist is soothing.
This was a very interesting read; thinking about altruism as a logical and desirable outcome in the face of species being forced to coexist is soothing.
informative
medium-paced
Good and comprehensive book on genes and evolution. The book is well-written and engaging. The examples of weird species were cool! I enjoyed this more than The Blind Watchmaker, probably mainly because the author spent less time arguing with creationists and more time arguing with people who actually had interesting countertheories.
If you have any interest in genetics or the story of life on Earth in general, I highly recommend this book. It isn't too heavy. It throws in a lot of analogies, but not so many that it seems dumbed down. And when the analogies don't work, Dawkins is quick to point out their limitations.
The endnotes added a lot of great updates in information, but I've grown accustomed to the David Foster Wallace-stye footnotes, so going back and forth from the front of the book to the back got a little annoying.
I hope people don't get scared off by the controversial image that has been thrown on Dawkins in the last few years. This book was certainly controversial to some, but it mostly avoids the religious issue that so many people seem so offended by. If you are curious about how you got here, this is a wonderful read.
The endnotes added a lot of great updates in information, but I've grown accustomed to the David Foster Wallace-stye footnotes, so going back and forth from the front of the book to the back got a little annoying.
I hope people don't get scared off by the controversial image that has been thrown on Dawkins in the last few years. This book was certainly controversial to some, but it mostly avoids the religious issue that so many people seem so offended by. If you are curious about how you got here, this is a wonderful read.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book will make you feel like an absolute genius (and a meaningless speck in the vast unending universe!)