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The Selfish Gene
- Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward
- Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins
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- Anonymous User
- 29-08-19
A cultural artefact that will outlive us all
Thought-provoking and very clever, entertainingly narrated by Richard and Lalla, this tome was a joy to listen to. I cannot fault the book other than wanting more of the same.
The Selfish Gene takes the then current understanding of Natural Selection (circa 1976, but updated) and turns it sufficiently to catch the light of a different viewpoint. This enlightenment is logically presented and truly illuminating.
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- Amazon Customer
- 26-05-20
What really is life? Richard Dawkins can tell you.
This book explains the origins and mechanics of life to the academic and lay person alike. I always understood darwinism but could not understand what turned matter into life, abominable "spark". Richard Dawkins presents the Selfish Gene theory, wonder no longer.
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- Faye T.
- 12-08-20
Excellent book, glad I listened to it
I can't believe the book was written in the 70s or hasn't dated. Very good book and great grounding in gene theory.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-04-19
Easy to listen to for a science book
I found the first chapters most interesting as they introduced concepts that I had not considered before. As I'm already aware of game theory I found the later chapters served more as interesting examples of game theory applied to the ideas of the earlier chapters.
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- jessica
- 12-07-17
Mind blowing!
A very interesting thought provoking listen. I am no biologist but Dawkins does a fantastic job of making the material accessible to the layperson. This book has changed how I see the natural world.
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- James
- 01-09-16
Essential reading
This is one of those books that everyone should read at least once. It makes you realise that we are just vessels for immortal replicators that use us as a 'survival machine'.
Only criticism is that I would have preferred it if the book had been presented by someone else. Richard Dawkins and his wife's voices and delivery do not lend themselves to an audiobook.
I also found in parts that this book couldn't decide whether it was a popular science book or a textbook - flitting between the two.
Overall excellent though and would recommend
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- Occam's shaver
- 27-09-19
Evolution reunderstood
I thought I knew what evolution was, but Richard has reexplained it and I find his arguments very persuasive.
My only regret is that I did not read it sooner.
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- Toxophilly
- 02-10-21
Evolve your understanding of Darwin's theory
Dawkins' reputation precedes itself but there's little controversy here, unless your beliefs are threatened by evolution in the first place.
If you have a basic understanding of Darwin's evolution as I did, take it to a fascinating new level where 'the good of the species' is debunked in favour of gene-centric view of natural selection.
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- Chris Tongue
- 06-07-22
Very interesting
Both narrators were good but I found jumping between then very jarring, I don't understand the need for two. Very interesting book, he does like to labor his defense of arguments that have been criticised which takes quite a large portion of the book and can get a little tiresome but all in all a good book.
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- Dr
- 08-09-12
Much more than just the book
I first read The Selfish Gene as a year one psychology student in 1982, and had not kept up with the new editions, aside for putting them on reading lists (The Extended Phenotype is my favourite of Darwkins' books). The point about the audiobook is that it is much, much more than a new edition: Prof. Dawkins has used the possibilities of the medium to create a new and more worthwhile communication of his ideas, and perhaps more importantly, the changes in them, as evidence has appeared which tests them. So, using his own voice, and that of Lalla Ward, he weaves the changes in his ideas around the stable parts. As scientific text this works brilliantly, but as a study of change in ideas it would be hard to better. This format is going on my new "reading list" - so that my students can experience the philosophy and development of science, as well as grasp the ideas of a distinguished biologist. Almost as good as a term of Oxford University College tutorials (well, you can stop the play, but not ask a question). Brilliant, highly recommend.
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15 people found this helpful