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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This is a great book and a very accessible explanation of genes and natural selection.
I wrote a short review of this book and all the other nonfiction books I read in Feb. 2021 on my blog https://laservortex.wordpress.com/2021/03/02/february-2021-book-report-nonfiction/
I wrote a short review of this book and all the other nonfiction books I read in Feb. 2021 on my blog https://laservortex.wordpress.com/2021/03/02/february-2021-book-report-nonfiction/
I really enjoyed this book. The last chapter on Humans was particularly unexpected but very enjoyable.
You will get more out of this book if you first find any decent explanation of the prisoners dilemma (game theory) in its 'normal form' (basically lingo for when the game is expressed in a grid of strategies vs outcomes) as Dawkins makes extensive use of these ideas, as have others before him.
You will get more out of this book if you first find any decent explanation of the prisoners dilemma (game theory) in its 'normal form' (basically lingo for when the game is expressed in a grid of strategies vs outcomes) as Dawkins makes extensive use of these ideas, as have others before him.
The theory of evolution is brilliant. This books makes it easy to understand, yet it doesn't dumb down anything. It also explains how "selfish" genes (genes that propagate themselves, preferably at the cost of other genes) give rise to altruistic behavior.
Dawning makes the study of genetics accessible to the lay person.
No rating — the book is great but too rudimentary for me. If you’ve studied biology at a college level, you’ll likely be in the same boat. If not, I’m sure this would be a great read!
In the beginning there were genes. Then the genes inadvertently created memes. Before I read this I didn't know that Richard Dawkins invented the term meme in the 70s but he totally did. Plus, his arguments/speculations are very well thought out and insightful. His speculative evolution math scenarios get kind of dry so if you get bored the meme money shot is in Chapter 11.
informative
medium-paced
Really brilliant and unique ideas that I hadn't previously considered but the language and writing often left me bored. It was a struggle to get through but I think I learned enough for that struggle to have been worth it.
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.