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kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
5.0
“Never were so many facts explained by so few assumptions. Not only does the Darwinian theory command superabundant power to explain. Its economy in doing so has a sinewy elegance, a poetic beauty that outclasses even the most haunting of the world’s origin myths.” ~Richard Dawkins, Oxford, 1994
River Out of Eden is but one in a series of entertaining and enlightening books called “Science Masters” - HarperCollins, publisher. Others feature Richard Leaky, Daniel Dennett, Jared Diamond, Stephen Jay Gould, and Steven Pinker, to name but a few.
I found this to be a wonderful overview of evolutionary biology. If you’re at all familiar with the plethora of material Dawkins has penned, then consider it a Selfish Gene/Extended Phenotype/Blind Watchmaker hybrid, written for a wide demographic. Highly recommended!
“DNA neither knows nor cares. DNA just is. And we dance to its music.”
River Out of Eden is but one in a series of entertaining and enlightening books called “Science Masters” - HarperCollins, publisher. Others feature Richard Leaky, Daniel Dennett, Jared Diamond, Stephen Jay Gould, and Steven Pinker, to name but a few.
I found this to be a wonderful overview of evolutionary biology. If you’re at all familiar with the plethora of material Dawkins has penned, then consider it a Selfish Gene/Extended Phenotype/Blind Watchmaker hybrid, written for a wide demographic. Highly recommended!
“DNA neither knows nor cares. DNA just is. And we dance to its music.”
lauraxbakker's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. I never ever thought I would pick up a non-fiction book about biology and evolution. I actually also didn't pick this up on purpose, this was a 100% cover buy, I didn't even read the synopsis. Anyhow I really enjoyed reading this book. It is understandable for people like me, who basically don't know anything about evolution or the Darwinian view on life. I feel like I've learned stuff from this book, although I can't remember everything that happened in this book because some bits were difficult or uninteresting in my opinion.
I give this three stars because this was a very good book, but not my personal taste. Otherwise I would've probably given this higher.
I give this three stars because this was a very good book, but not my personal taste. Otherwise I would've probably given this higher.
bclark8781's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book even though there were parts I found difficult to follow (I'm not the most logical person alive). Dawkins is such an elegant writer and makes his points in language of amazing clarity. This book (which is from 1994 I think) does not directly deal with religion, and considering it's 27 years old I would think much more is known about DNA, genes, etc (for example, I'm pretty sure this was written before the completion of the Human Genome Project). I just happened across this at a used bookstore, and after having read a few of Dawkins' other books, I figured I couldn't go wrong. I was correct, and this book makes me want to read more of his more recent works.
derelict_kami's review against another edition
4.0
It's not that I dislike this book at all, it's just that I feel like I've read the same book by him before. Time to move on from Mr. Dawkins for me, I suppose.
kahawa's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the best short explanation of evolution that I've come across. Dawkins is, as usual, articulate and didactic. Many books about evolution talk about evolution without explaining what it is; this book makes it pretty clear, and might be a good starting point for people trying to understand how it works. He sticks to the science pretty well without venturing too much into philosophy or theology.
manny_calavera's review against another edition
4.0
A great introduction to Dawkins work. It is a short read but would take time since it is concept heavy. Dawkins has the art to explain complex matter in a simple manner. This serves me well as an introduction to his other more famous books.