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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Read this as part of a recommended reading list for a University module and of course for its hyped presence in non-fiction.
This book proposes a few intriguing concepts. I think if you are from a biological area of study and enjoy the topic of genetics you will appreciate the perspective of this book. I however, being an Environmental Geography student am more interested by animals, or 'survival machines' as Dawkins calls them, and their interactions on a wider scale. Dawkins does illustrate many of these interactions between species as examples to explain his theory and those were my favourite parts of the book. That unfortunately, is where my excitement for the text ends...
The writing style is what really let this down for me and made it difficult to keep pushing on. I had seen in some reviews some people found his writing style to be condescending and while I can see where these people are coming from that is not the issue I had. I would rather have topics explained simply to me sometimes than not be able to follow a non-fiction text at all. However, to say Dawkin's writing style is tedious would be an understatement. While I understand the thought process behind Dawkins writing style and his constant need to provide disclaimers, they became so repetitive. Even the format he proposed different ideas in became too repetitive. I would maybe recommend trying this as a audiobook as sometimes it can read like a long scientific essay so maybe an audiobook would make it easier to get through for people who don't tend to read a lot of non-fiction.
Then there is the issue of how far you agree with the theory Dawkins provides in this text. It does seem rather extreme in way of being very far detached from 'humanity' almost like an extreme cognitive psychology approach to explain our actions, reducing every living being on the planet to mere robots. I agree to some extent with a few of the concepts detailed in this book and Dawkins does not claim to be analysing every area of evolution and humanity, but I do think it is oversimplified and there is more to us all than this perspective would assume.
My approach to all non-fiction therefore applies to this book more than ever; take what you like and leave what you dont.
Overall, I'm glad I've ticked this one off the TBR list and it did introduce me to some interesting ideas and a new perspective, but I definitely did not read it for a thrilling or creative non-fiction journey.
This book proposes a few intriguing concepts. I think if you are from a biological area of study and enjoy the topic of genetics you will appreciate the perspective of this book. I however, being an Environmental Geography student am more interested by animals, or 'survival machines' as Dawkins calls them, and their interactions on a wider scale. Dawkins does illustrate many of these interactions between species as examples to explain his theory and those were my favourite parts of the book. That unfortunately, is where my excitement for the text ends...
The writing style is what really let this down for me and made it difficult to keep pushing on. I had seen in some reviews some people found his writing style to be condescending and while I can see where these people are coming from that is not the issue I had. I would rather have topics explained simply to me sometimes than not be able to follow a non-fiction text at all. However, to say Dawkin's writing style is tedious would be an understatement. While I understand the thought process behind Dawkins writing style and his constant need to provide disclaimers, they became so repetitive. Even the format he proposed different ideas in became too repetitive. I would maybe recommend trying this as a audiobook as sometimes it can read like a long scientific essay so maybe an audiobook would make it easier to get through for people who don't tend to read a lot of non-fiction.
Then there is the issue of how far you agree with the theory Dawkins provides in this text. It does seem rather extreme in way of being very far detached from 'humanity' almost like an extreme cognitive psychology approach to explain our actions, reducing every living being on the planet to mere robots. I agree to some extent with a few of the concepts detailed in this book and Dawkins does not claim to be analysing every area of evolution and humanity, but I do think it is oversimplified and there is more to us all than this perspective would assume.
My approach to all non-fiction therefore applies to this book more than ever; take what you like and leave what you dont.
Overall, I'm glad I've ticked this one off the TBR list and it did introduce me to some interesting ideas and a new perspective, but I definitely did not read it for a thrilling or creative non-fiction journey.
informative
Mind blowing. Explains the gene-centric theory of evolution (vs organism-centric) with loads of interesting examples.
Oh dear. I almost couldn't finish it-some chapters were a little too long and drawn out. I downloaded it through audible and that made a huge difference listening to the author make evolution sound a bit more interesting. For the amount of times I've brought up one idea or another to my family these last few weeks though I decided it needed at least 4 stars.
On another note...a fun note, in his words "we need a name for the 'new replicator', a noun that conveys the idea of a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation. Mimeme comes from a suitable greek root, but I want a monosyllable that sounds a bit like gene..." Yep, he coined the term meme. I always enjoy reading an older book and seeing origins/or a connection to present day words or phrases.
On another note...a fun note, in his words "we need a name for the 'new replicator', a noun that conveys the idea of a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation. Mimeme comes from a suitable greek root, but I want a monosyllable that sounds a bit like gene..." Yep, he coined the term meme. I always enjoy reading an older book and seeing origins/or a connection to present day words or phrases.
informative
slow-paced
A brilliantly written book, which is just as good the second time. Would highly recommend to anyone who is interested in Biology.
I only made it about halfway through this. It's a simple idea, but a profound one. I feel like it could have been about half as long though... in which case I might have finished it.