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The Magic of Reality

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The Magic of Reality

By: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward
Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward
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About this listen

  • What are things made of?
  • What is the sun?
  • Why is there night and day, winter and summer?
  • Why do bad things happen?
  • Are we alone?

Throughout history people all over the world have invented stories to answer profound questions such as these. Have you heard the tale of how the sun hatched out of an emu's egg? Or what about the great catfish that carries the world on its back? Has anyone ever told you that earthquakes are caused by a sneezing giant? These fantastical myths are fun – but what is the real answer to such questions?

The Magic of Reality, with its explanations of space, time, evolution and more, will inspire and amaze listeners of all ages - young adults, adults, children, octogenarians. This book presents the real story of the world around us, taking us on an enthralling journey through scientific reality, and showing that it has an awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling magic which far exceed those of the ancient myths.

We encounter rainbows, earthquakes, tsunamis, shooting stars, plants, animals, and an intriguing cast of characters in this extraordinary scientific voyage of discovery. Richard Dawkins has created a dazzling celebration of our planet that will entertain and inform for years to come.

Read by Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward. Also available in hardback, fully illustrated by Dave McKean.

©2011 Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward (P)2011 Random House Audiobooks Customs & Traditions History & Philosophy Philosophy Science Social Sciences Tradition Natural History Natural Disaster

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Dawkins' unpretentious approach to explaining the wonders of the world scientifically is easy to listen to, and really informative. He does well to explain myths and legends that our ancestors used to explain the world around them without losing any of the magic. He reinforces the beauty of the natural world through explaining the wonders of the science that created it, and allows it to flourish.

an essential read for anyone.

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I purchased this audiobook after listening to the absolutely fantastic Dawkins book, The Selfish Gene. I would suggest that if you have read or listened to that book and had no trouble in understanding it's content then The Magic of Reality might be a little unstimulating.

The book is well written, but really serves to give a general explanation of fundamental ideas in science. The topics are generally discussed at quite a superficial level, but you usually come away from a chapter with a decent overview of the topic.

I'm sure that there will be something new in this book for most people, although far less for anyone who has shown an interest in science since leaving school. Each chapter begins with a scientific theory's mythical counterpart, detailing the different stories and myths which exist about, for example, rainbows or earthquakes. This at least was something new to me, and was a nice way to structure the book. At times it almost felt like a far less aggressive assault on people's beliefs than in his other book, The God Delusion, although it felt less like a deliberate attack and more a narrative tool.

In summary I think this would be a great book for the fledgling scientist to read, and also suitable for the critically minded among you, but I would suggest looking for something more in depth if you already have a comfortable understanding of the core sciences.

A great book for beginners to science

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Easy to understand and we'll narrated. Ideal for youngsters. Dawkins spells out how reality is more interesting than fiction.

Great book for kids

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A real book on time and space and reality and so easy to understand.

I love it. Well recemended.

Brilliant Book

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This book should be an absolute essential read in schools, perhaps we'd have less credulous grownups if that were the case! I can also very much recommend the hardback version as it has many beautiful illustrations.

A book everyone should own!

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Really enjoyable listen. This book is suitable for all adults and young people alike. It is a great introduction to so many subjects, reminding us of the wonders of science.

Terrific

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to adults and children alike

Excellent

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really enjoyed this , good narration and the chapters are very concise without to much filler .

Interesting thought experiments :)

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Great story great audio great way of saying it and overall great and enjoyable read

Great story great audio great way of saying it and overall great and enjoyable read

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I'm a long time Dawkins fan and this book does not disappoint. however it's so beautifully and carefully written that I've enjoyed it thoroughly as much as I know my teenage daughter would also. absolutely brilliant.

every child and adult alike should take a look

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