In The Greatest Show on Earth, Richard Dawkins takes on creationists, including followers of 'Intelligent Design' and all those who question the fact of evolution through natural selection.
Like a detective arriving on the scene of a crime, he sifts through fascinating layers of scientific facts and disciplines to build a cast-iron case: from the living examples of natural selection in birds and insects; the 'time clocks' of trees and radioactive dating that calibrate a timescale for evolution; the fossil record and the traces of our earliest ancestors; to confirmation from molecular biology and genetics. All of this, and much more, bears witness to the truth of evolution.
The Greatest Show on Earth comes at a critical time: systematic opposition to the fact of evolution is now flourishing as never before, especially in America. In Britain and elsewhere in the world, teachers witness insidious attempts to undermine the status of science in their classrooms. Richard Dawkins provides unequivocal evidence that boldly and comprehensively rebuts such nonsense. At the same time he shares with us his palpable love of the natural world and the essential role that science plays in its interpretation. Written with elegance, wit and passion, it is hard-hitting, absorbing and totally convincing.
©2009 Richard Dawkins; (P)2009 Random House Audiobooks
"If Charles Darwin walked into a 21st-century bookstore and wanted to know how his theory had fared, this is the book he should pick up. Dawkins remains a superb translator of complex scientific concepts....he has a way of making the drollest details feel like a revelation." (Publishers Weekly)
"Joy to listen to"
Superb narration from Richard and Lalla.
Here is a book from an author that knows his stuff.
I found a second listening was needed to clear up some points I didn't quite understand first time around.
"Simple and elegantly written"
Really enjoyed the listen - not the best for passing a commute if you are prone to get distracted (needs decent level of attention). Well written and a great book o give anyone who disputes the 'theorum' of evolution.
"the greatest show on earth"
Well worth listening to and it has some snippets of awe-inspiring delight, such as Belyaev's Silver fox experiments or Lenski's E. Coli research. Both of which have truly jaw-dropping conclusions. Remember to download the pdfs that accompany the audiobook.
My only problem is Dawkins irritating method of illustrating complex points with stories. This, in itself is a useful way of making a point, but its the way he does it. He gives you the parameters of the story, tells the story, and then tells you that the parameters he used to illustrate his point to begin with are not consistent with the point he was trying make in the first place. It made me giggle more than once, but don't let that take too much away from what is a very pleasurable listen.
"Great Book, well read but no diagrams!"
This is a detailed account of evolution, presenting the evidence to support the reality that evolution is a fact not a 'theory', and presented in Richard Dawkins' usual passionate style. In the foreword, a set of diagrams that should be downloaded to accompany the audio and referred to, is mentioned but these are nowhere to be found! The book would have been five stars but the audio is only three because such a detailed account depends on having diagrams to refer to. Therefore buy the printed book if you want the complete information.