I don’t feel clever enough

Really interesting but I reckon that I only understood about 70%. Maybe a repeat listen or perhaps referring to the text might help.

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Not just a book about biology and genetics

I’ve been intrigued to read this book since I saw it spark an interest in my next door neighbour, Richard “The Medic” (later “The Pharmacologist”), in my first year at university. I want to go back and ask him what it was that fascinated him at the time. I was aware that it coined the word “meme”, now such common currency on the internet. And I’m also aware that Dawkins’s later books have veered more towards atheism but I wanted to go back to the beginning of his fame. This audiobook edition is based on the 1989 second edition of the book and is partly narrated by Dawkins himself. It’s mostly understandable for a non-biologist like me and is a good follow-on from reading Darwin a few months ago.

I was interested in the way Dawkins personifies genes. He’s mostly talking about them in animals and plants, but it also explains why some humans behave as they do: cheats taking advantage of suckers, others bearing grudges after they’ve been fooled.

The mathematics of evolutionary stable strategies is fascinating and are explained cogently. I’m particularly interested in the way he uses examples of The Prisoner’s Dilemma and how this could relate to our strategy for nuclear war and slowing the onset of climate change. It’s a book about logic and philosophy, not just biology and genetics.

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Brillaint and thought provoking

I find Dawkin's thought processes easy to follow and conceptually simple, whilst well illustrating complicated theories and ideas for the non-scientists among us.

Very interesting! The narration is well done also.

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A wonderful book, wonderfully narrated

I have lost count of the number of times I have read this book. From my battered copy of the first edition to the newer, but still well thumbed, later one. Now an audio book! An audio book narrated by Richard Dawkins himself and his wife Lalla Ward. It was a must have! It is a must have for anyone interested in the great question - where did we come from! In this early book Dawkins has not yet displayed his atheistic position quite so obviously [although it is still present] and, in a way, that makes the book even more impressive. As a scientific narrative it is excellent. The arguments, the examples, and the explanations are crystal clear and, whether or not you actually agree with the position he takes, it is an interesting journey. It was a book which helped me to get to where I am today and, being honest, clarified my thoughts about God, the Universe, and everything! I think it is the sheer wonder of natural selection as a 'system' that destroys the foundation for a creator. It is such a 'simple' thing.
The narration is above excellent. Dawkins has a wonderfully effective speaking voice [his lectures are a pleasure] and the interposition of his wife's voice add interest and variety. If you have an interest in one of the 'great questions' - if not the only one - then listen to this book.

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38 people found this helpful

Thoroughly interesting

Ive always wanted to read one of Dawkins books, I bought the Blind Watchmaker but didn't get round to reading it and so bought this audiobook. I'm glad I did it, although the book was more interesting in some places than others that is only to be expected. I loved hearing Dawkins updates to the original text, well narrated and an excellent read.

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15 people found this helpful

Great book and an eye openner

There are some parts (few only) that I didn't agree with - This might be because of over simplification which, to me, lead to a wrong conclusion.

The book opens the door to a lot of questions for an inquisitive mind. I highly recommend it.

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Interesting and easy to follow

The main premise of the selfish gene, as I took it, is that throughout evolution one gene has been present and predominant within all of us, and responsible for the proliferation of humans up unto this point in history; he refers to it as the selfish gene.
The book is quite detailed but never particularly complicated. Dawkins makes great effort to ensure that every theory, idea or fact is carefully, and clearly explained, using extensive footnotes throughout (I listened to this book rather than read it so the footnotes were easily followed although I’m not sure how this comes across in the physical book (if it’s a case that they are at the bottom of the page, or back of the book, I’d imagine it would be quite tedious to keep breaking away from the narrativ but in the audio version however this was certainly not the case).
One of the more interesting things I took away from this book was the notion that our genes will outlive us and that even an ancestral legacy becomes meaningless as the generations dilute it through time.

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Very enlightening

I like Richard Dawkins' eloquent style, he is very adept at putting his views over. The original book has been developed further in this second edition by adding footnotes where relevant. He is equally comfortable delivering criticism as he is receiving it as he seems to take delight when his views are challenged as it usually develops the topic regardless of the outcome.

The book can get a little difficult to follow at times as there can be a lot of information in a short period. That said I didn't always find it necessary to follow the book with total accuracy if understanding as it still makes sense without the granular detail

So, if you want to understand this word for word you might find the printed version easier to follow, alternatively, there are times when you might want to sit down with a pen and paper to make notes.

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Well written and read. Recommended.

Liked the two narrators to show what was original and what was added. Clear and concise treatment of theory of genetic evolution. Can't help but think he could have played devil's advocate a bit more

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mind... blown!

this reminded me of uni days listening to the lecturer give an awesome lesson. I found myself at times wanting to take revision notes. Both narrator's were fantastic and extremely comfortable with the flow of knowledge. I will be buying more of Richard's books.

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