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Unweaving the Rainbow

Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A dazzling, passionate polemic against anti-science movements of all kinds

Keats accused Newton of destroying the poetry of the rainbow by explaining the origin of its colours. In this illuminating and provocative book, Richard Dawkins argues that Keats could not have been more mistaken, and shows how an understanding of science enhances our wonder of the world. He argues that mysteries do not lose their poetry because they are solved: the solution is often more beautiful than the puzzle, uncovering even deeper mysteries. Dawkins takes up the most important and compelling topics in modern science, from astronomy and genetics to language and virtual reality, combining them in a landmark statement on the human appetite for wonder.

© Richard Dawkins 2006 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 History & Philosophy Philosophy Science Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

A brilliant assertion of the wonder and excitement of real, tough, grown-up science (A. S. Byatt, 'Books of the Year')
The way Dawkins writes about science is not just a brain-tonic. It is more like an extended stay on a brain health-farm ... You come out feeling lean, tuned and enormously more intelligent (John Carey)
Beautifully written and full of interesting, original ideas. Essential reading
For Dawkins there is more poetry, not less, in the rainbow because of Newton ... he weaves rainbows of wonder from other provinces of science and then unleashes his fury on those who accuse scientists like him of being unimaginative
Brilliantly entertaining and stimulating
All stars
Most relevant
Just as the many times before, Richard Dawkins communicates of a breadth of scientific matters in a way that appeals to the wonder of true human existence.

This book truly is a wonderful example of science being the poetry of reality.

Another truly masterful book!

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I will be a Dawkins fanboy till the end of the rainbow - here is to hoping he will have a long and rich life still ahead of him. Happy new year Richard!

Informative and superbly written and narrated

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Took a while to get into it, but I am glad I gave it a chance. Lots of food for thought and I think Professor Dawkins did a great job at arguing the case for the poetic beauty of science.

:)

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I have enjoyed all his books, and this is no exception. Fascinating insights and really well presented.

Excellent

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A great mix of Prof Dawkins’ extensive knowledge on biology and the issues faced in communicating sciences to a broader audience.

His take on the problems faced particularly by pop-science publications and the common ease with which many great authors (himself included) can be encouraged to deviate from clear communication to engage a non science audience and the effect this can unfortunately have in the misunderstanding of a subject is most insightful.


A must read/listen for any fan of the pop science genre.

A wonderfully beautiful informative read

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