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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
An engrossing discussion of selfishness and altruism from the point of view of evolutionary theory. Most of the 'selfishness' and 'altruism' in the book are unconscious evolutionary strategies for individuals and for genes rather than the conscious intentions normally implied by those terms.
Dawkins, you smug bastard. You haven't changed at all.
But it's hard to be right, isn't it?...
P.S. If you have ever studied evolutionary biology, this will all be review except for Richard's input, which has to do with the confusing title.
But it's hard to be right, isn't it?...
P.S. If you have ever studied evolutionary biology, this will all be review except for Richard's input, which has to do with the confusing title.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Very good book. Extremely accessible. I listened to the audio book and Dawkins narrates it himself.
I loved it! While sometimes over-explaining a point or going too deep into an example, I learned so much that explains so much about how humans another other living organisms behave. I even ended up enjoying the obsessive endnotes, chuckling at the way that Dawkins feels compelled to rebut every dissenting point made since he published the book 30 or so years ago.
A must read for everyone that thinks thinks they understand natural selection. The 30th aniv. edition is awesome because it has notes on the thoughts and accusations that accompany each line of the text. For instance he talks at leangth about the validity of the title, and his thoughts on how it came about and the controversy it caused.
Pros:
Great theory/idea
Good examples
Plenty of examples/analogies
Cons:
Weird language - verbose
Harps on and on about an example
Sometimes say something as if it is logical even when it isn't
Great theory/idea
Good examples
Plenty of examples/analogies
Cons:
Weird language - verbose
Harps on and on about an example
Sometimes say something as if it is logical even when it isn't
This book has some really interesting content in it, unfortunately it has a very 70s style and loses a lot when the notes are not taken into consideration as much as the rest of the text. If I were the author, given the popularity of the text, I would consider a rewriting.
I am glad this was my first real attempt to read a science book, it was difficult, but it made me curious enough to give a go to another science book.
I am glad this was my first real attempt to read a science book, it was difficult, but it made me curious enough to give a go to another science book.
I highly recommend this book to every selfish and unselfish Evolution Survival Machine.
Holy cow, this book is awesome. Though I suppose given Dawkins' opinion of religion, I should say "secular cow".
It is without a doubt one of the most concise, accessible, yet profound science books ever written. Every chapter is valuable, and it really flips everything you thought about genetics on its head. For good.
Read this if you exult in clever, well-reasoned, and well-supported argument. Don't read it if you fear thinking.
It is without a doubt one of the most concise, accessible, yet profound science books ever written. Every chapter is valuable, and it really flips everything you thought about genetics on its head. For good.
Read this if you exult in clever, well-reasoned, and well-supported argument. Don't read it if you fear thinking.