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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Because this is a book written for what I’m assuming to be young audiences, much of the knowledge that Dawkins wondrously shares is reduced to etymologies, names, and descriptions. A lot of the deeper knowledge, and in my opinion, the truly beautiful wonders of reality, are lost in an uninspiring string of humans names for things. This is particularly noticeable in the early chapters, where the Dawkins seems to want to stuff as many labels of rocks and processes into your head as possible, without resorting to listing them.
But where Dawkins excels is in his personal and down-to-earth way of conversing about what makes things as familiar as rainbows and as distant as where the universe came from so magical and wondrous. He explores topics ranging from the layers of the Earth to the layers of light from distant stars, to questions such as “Why do bad things happen?”
The Magic of Reality is a testament to the explorative, skeptical, and curious nature that makes science what it is: a method of inquiry into things that provoke our imaginations. To think of the universe as anything other than wondrously magical is a disappointment; but to believe that that magic is anything other than understandable and out of our natural reach is unacceptable.
At its worst, though, this book unilaterally paints myth as problematic. In many ways, myths and how they spring up are just as important and just as magical as any scientific truth. Their truths matter to humans, and somehow Dawkins glosses over this in his adherence to scientific truth.
But where Dawkins excels is in his personal and down-to-earth way of conversing about what makes things as familiar as rainbows and as distant as where the universe came from so magical and wondrous. He explores topics ranging from the layers of the Earth to the layers of light from distant stars, to questions such as “Why do bad things happen?”
The Magic of Reality is a testament to the explorative, skeptical, and curious nature that makes science what it is: a method of inquiry into things that provoke our imaginations. To think of the universe as anything other than wondrously magical is a disappointment; but to believe that that magic is anything other than understandable and out of our natural reach is unacceptable.
At its worst, though, this book unilaterally paints myth as problematic. In many ways, myths and how they spring up are just as important and just as magical as any scientific truth. Their truths matter to humans, and somehow Dawkins glosses over this in his adherence to scientific truth.
Fascinating concepts and beautiful artwork, but I wasn't sure exactly who the audience of this book was supposed to be. The (somewhat condescending) tone suggests that this is a children's book, and yet the concepts did not appear to me to be explained in a way suitable for young children to understand. I was also annoyed by the use of gendered language ("a person... he"). On the whole, though, an interesting read, and the artwork brings the topics in the book to life very vividly.
I already think that the world is pretty damn amazing, but this book explains so many things with such clarity, it becomes even more amazing. I always like it when an author doesn't underestimate his readership, even when they are trying to explain thins in a really simple way.
In this book, the author, Richard Dawkins, explains various natural phenomena.
He starts the book by identifying three different kinds of magic
supernatural magic (things that happen in fairy tales, myths, religious texts etc.)
stage magic (things that we know are false but are fun to watch - stage magicians for example)
poetic magic (the kind of magic we use to describe our feelings about a great movie or watching a sunset or scenery etc.).
Dawkins demonstrates that our ancestors used to explain our world using supernatural magic. He then explains it in the form of poetic magic (i.e. "what is" as opposed to "what we think is"). He picks up the most popular myths and explains these with science. We get to see that supernatural magic is the fear of understanding while poetic magic is the joy of understanding.
Richard Dawkins is the world's most famous evolutionary biologist. He is also one of the world's foremost atheists. He has authored many great books, including the "The Selfish Gene" and "The God Delusion". You have to read those books if you have not already. I consider him to be one of the luminaries of this century - on par with Richard Feynman and others - in popularizing science and reason`.
A warning - he is an atheist and uses reason & logic to dissect superstitions and beliefs. So if your faith is fickle or offended, do not bother reading his books. But, you will enjoy his books and be a better person if you have an open mind.
This book is meant for general consumption.
I highly recommend reading this book. Dawkins explains scientific concepts brilliantly. This understanding leads to a greater appreciation of Nature and the Universe. He calls out areas where he is not explain things well (quarks for example).
What is reality? What is magic? - explains the nature of reality and the nature of magic
Who was the first person? - explores our origins
Why are there so many different kinds of animals? - explores evolution
What are things made of? - atomic theory
Why do we have day and night, summer and winter? - the earth, sun and orbits
What is the Sun? - stellar mechanics
What is a rainbow? - optics
When and how did everything begin? - Big Bang theory
Are we alone? - Aliens and the nature of the universe
What are earthquakes? - plate tectonics
Why do bad things happen? - chaos
What is a miracle? - science vs belief
He starts the book by identifying three different kinds of magic
supernatural magic (things that happen in fairy tales, myths, religious texts etc.)
stage magic (things that we know are false but are fun to watch - stage magicians for example)
poetic magic (the kind of magic we use to describe our feelings about a great movie or watching a sunset or scenery etc.).
Dawkins demonstrates that our ancestors used to explain our world using supernatural magic. He then explains it in the form of poetic magic (i.e. "what is" as opposed to "what we think is"). He picks up the most popular myths and explains these with science. We get to see that supernatural magic is the fear of understanding while poetic magic is the joy of understanding.
Richard Dawkins is the world's most famous evolutionary biologist. He is also one of the world's foremost atheists. He has authored many great books, including the "The Selfish Gene" and "The God Delusion". You have to read those books if you have not already. I consider him to be one of the luminaries of this century - on par with Richard Feynman and others - in popularizing science and reason`.
A warning - he is an atheist and uses reason & logic to dissect superstitions and beliefs. So if your faith is fickle or offended, do not bother reading his books. But, you will enjoy his books and be a better person if you have an open mind.
This book is meant for general consumption.
I highly recommend reading this book. Dawkins explains scientific concepts brilliantly. This understanding leads to a greater appreciation of Nature and the Universe. He calls out areas where he is not explain things well (quarks for example).
What is reality? What is magic? - explains the nature of reality and the nature of magic
Who was the first person? - explores our origins
Why are there so many different kinds of animals? - explores evolution
What are things made of? - atomic theory
Why do we have day and night, summer and winter? - the earth, sun and orbits
What is the Sun? - stellar mechanics
What is a rainbow? - optics
When and how did everything begin? - Big Bang theory
Are we alone? - Aliens and the nature of the universe
What are earthquakes? - plate tectonics
Why do bad things happen? - chaos
What is a miracle? - science vs belief
An accessible and engaging overview of the BIG questions for curious younger readers. An excellent science primer that dismisses the usual supernatural mumbo jumbo kids are exposed to without talking down to them. Plus, fun illustrations by frequent Gaiman collaborator, Dave McKean. If I ever have kids, I'd buy this book for them.
I was trying to keep up with everything my daughter is reading, but I just couldn't get into this one. Richard Dawkins is just a little too smarmy for me.
A good exploration of the dynamic between explaining the world through myth vs science, oriented at young readers. A little basic, but a good introduction to Dawkins.
I wish I liked this more but as much as I like Dave McKean's drawings a Kindle version does not do them justice and I sort of meandered away from reading this and never picked it back up. Oh well.