How did the replication bomb we call ), Richard Dawkins confronts this ancient mystery.
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Aug 15, 2007
Adam
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This book takes about 30 minutes to read, but is probably the best book I've read when it comes to shooting down morons who believe in stupid shit. If you're offended by the fact that I think creationism is utter bullshit, I'm sorry - but Richard Dawkins isn't, and he's more than happy to give a hundred reasons why you're a moron for believing it.
On top of giving ammo to those of us who do come in contact with the less scientifically enlightened among us (snobbery, anyone?), he mana More...
On top of giving ammo to those of us who do come in contact with the less scientifically enlightened among us (snobbery, anyone?), he mana More...
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Jul 27, 2011
I don't quite get Dawkins. He starts off scientifically and biologically then in the end he speculates about the universe and interplanetarian life, why? His critique of religion in general and Christianity in particular shines through as in all the books I've read so far of him. Some interesting arguments and other simple cheap sneers. It is obvious that he is anti-Christian in his ideas. i would even go so far as to say that he might be pre-Christian, that he goes back to that Roman culture th
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Feb 09, 2011
Toni
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I finally get him!!! Guess what? Your DNA is eternal, not you. It flows like a river through us (and all creatures) and we are merely the banks (of the river) that house the DNA for its continuation into next generation, and the next (or not).
I have read many of Dawkins' books and articles and this is a winner! If you're interested in learning exactly what Dawkins means by "The Selfish Gene" or the DNA river - this is the read & it's a quicky! The concepts are not as d More...
I have read many of Dawkins' books and articles and this is a winner! If you're interested in learning exactly what Dawkins means by "The Selfish Gene" or the DNA river - this is the read & it's a quicky! The concepts are not as d More...
Nov 14, 2010
Andrea
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Richard Dawkins is a fixture in modern evolutionary thought. His books are written so that even those with little knowledge of ecology or evolution can understand them, which is important work in a world where dogma and ignorance often seem to overrule fact and science in places like, say, congress. That said, I am not, and probably never will be, a fan of Dawkins' writing style. He stretches metaphors until they've long lost their plasticity to maintain interest or relevance. His example of
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Jan 23, 2010
Simon
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Magisterial. In person, Richard Dawkins can seem defensive, arrogant: chippy. Hardly surprising, considering that he is a dignified and serious scientist who has had to spend years combating preposterous and impudent attacks. But his books are meticulous, supple and surprisingly sensual. His love of, and fascination with, the mechanics of the natural world is exhilarating and a joy to read. Complexities melt away, leaving a view of the world which is infinitely more beautiful, mysterious and ast
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May 15, 2010
Koen
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This was the last of Dawkins' books I didn't have yet, and it took long enough to get a hold of a copy; and though it is very short (under 200 pages), it was worth the wait.
I've often said that the quality of Dawkins' writing has deteriorated a lot in the 21st century (I still don't know why, because the quality of the content has not, really; maybe it's because he's writing for American audiences now), and it's nice to see that it isn't something I'm imagining because I've become more dem More...
I've often said that the quality of Dawkins' writing has deteriorated a lot in the 21st century (I still don't know why, because the quality of the content has not, really; maybe it's because he's writing for American audiences now), and it's nice to see that it isn't something I'm imagining because I've become more dem More...
Jun 06, 2010
Rodhilton
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This is simply a beautiful book. It's kind of hard to put into words why this book is worth reading, or even really what it's about, but I'll try.
Richard Dawkins was catapulted into popular stardom by his views on religion, not his views on science. But what the average person (who now knows his name) doesn't know is that Dawkins was a well-respected evolutionary biologist long before he released "The God Delusion". The vast majority of his books are written within his p More...
Richard Dawkins was catapulted into popular stardom by his views on religion, not his views on science. But what the average person (who now knows his name) doesn't know is that Dawkins was a well-respected evolutionary biologist long before he released "The God Delusion". The vast majority of his books are written within his p More...
Sep 05, 2010
Erica
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Dawkins explains the reasons behind baffling natural phenomena and animal behavior using the framework he proposed in "The Selfish Gene" (namely, that humans and indeed all living things are merely elaborate vessels to house and propagate genes). The discoveries about everything from bee mapmakers to the origins of humans are often mind-bending, but as an agnostic, I find his strident materialist-athiest ideology a tad self-important. Scientific discovery need not be diametrically op
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Dec 28, 2011
David
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After the blind watchmaker, I wasn't going to read any more Dawkins until I read the Selfish Gene, but I found this book in a dollar bin and because its so short I went ahead and read it. This book really benefits from its short length, for once Dawkins seems to really stay on track and not ramble on. I sometimes feel that the other of his book are filled with 30% fluff just to make them longer. The book follows a digital river (DNA), and uses that to follow first bacteria type of cells, then
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Oct 22, 2010
Steve
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There is a point in River Out of Eden when the stark brutality of nature really hits home. With a nervous system programmed to kill anything that moves near its young unless it emits a babies cry, a deaf mother turkey mistakes her children for predators and, in a bid to protect them, ends up massacring every last one. It's one of several tragic anecdotes used to make an important point, and the kind of jolt that Dawkins does best. This is not however a pessimistic book. Far from it. As Dawkins r
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Jun 12, 2011
Carol
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I love this book so much, I quote from it all the time -- drawing strange looks from people who (oddly enough) do not share my passion for DNA. I buy extra copies to give to friends. Why is every ancestor of ours a success? Why are we cousins of almost everyone we meet, including our own spouse? Answers are in the book. Such elegant logic, such beautiful imagery, Dawkins reads like a poet more than a scientist. While I don't agree with all his conclusions or all his science, I love to read anyth
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Sep 30, 2010
Markii
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great quick read on the beauty of a world view as explained by evolution.
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Feb 25, 2010
Raj
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I've said before about Dawkins' work that no matter what you think of the man and his opinions, he's an excellent communicator, as proved yet again by this compact volume. Part of the Science Masters series, it is a description of Darwinism and evolution from a genetic point of view, that of DNA and the 'selfish gene'. It's well written, easy to read and very lucid and understand. Biology's always been the science that I've been least interested in, but Dawkins broaches complicated topics with e
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May 10, 2009
L.S.
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Este o carte destul de uşor de citit iar ilustraţiile folosite de Dawkins, alături de stilul său, facilitează înţelegerea textului. În acest sens îmi place exemplul folosit pentru procesul de speciaţie prin izolare geografică: veveriţele roşii nu mai sunt interfertile cu cele cenuşii, din cauza separării teritoriale, în timp ce veveriţele cenuşii din America de Nord s-ar putea (încă) împerechea dacă s-ar întâlni cu cele din Europa. Este un exemplu bun pentru a descrie evoluţia. Însă ce fel de ev
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Apr 13, 2010
Steven
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River Out of Eden is a short book describing, essentially, the motivation of DNA to survive, and what that means about life and humanity. It's also got a few probably oft-repeated rational arguments used to deflect the non-argument "But it can't be!" complaints that have been leveled at evolution over the years.
It's a quick, reasonably light read (unless you argue with the premise, probably). I enjoyed it.
4/5 stars.
It's a quick, reasonably light read (unless you argue with the premise, probably). I enjoyed it.
4/5 stars.
Jan 14, 2012
Yofish
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Short enough. Mostly interesting, but I also knew a lot that he covered. And even though it was written in 1995, it felt slightly dated. A little episodic, and a little short. Five (mostly independent) chapters at around 35 pages each. Two were not that interesting to me. I did like the one trying to respond to the argument that evolution is impossible because half an eye is not at all useful. (He focused on that as well as a letter he received about how an orchid is shaped just so that a
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Feb 26, 2011
VeganMedusa
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I got a bit lost at the beginning, and totally sidetracked by digital vs analogue, but that led to some interesting discussions with hubby, who has no problems understanding that kind of thing. Chapter 2 was much more interesting to me. I had no idea that so much had been found out about the honeybee dance and I'd like to read more about it. I heart Richard Dawkins. Will have to read his latest soon.
Feb 26, 2011
Broodingferret
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This was a surprisingly quick read; at less than 180 pages, this book practically vanished beneath my eyes, especially considering the Dawkins' work is typically between 400 and 600 pages in length. Short and sweet, River Out of Eden lays out some brief points on topics such as our collective African heritage and evolutionary arms races, all of which are well presented. Makes for an enjoyable weekend read.
Feb 18, 2010
Teguh
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Pandangan Darwinian mengenai kehidupan, tidak kalah dengan mitologi2 dan kisah2 dalam Kitab2 suci agama2. Sesuatu yang serius dibahasakan dengan sangat ringan dan sedikit nakal. Buku yang cukup dapat membuka mata dan memberikan pengetahuan bagaimana pandangan evolusionis, ternyata tak seburuk yang dipropagandakan oleh para kaum kreasionis.
Jan 31, 2012
Riki
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Having read books from the same author before, I like enjoyed reading this as well. I think the book did really well with explaining topics that are complex. This is about evolution, natural selection, etc. It's interesting to think about our origins, and how species came about. For people with open minds.
Aug 19, 2009
James
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I thought this book elegant. The writing is elegant. Dawkins's use of analogy and example to explain the complexities of evolution is elegant. He glides from idea to idea as elegantly as dance. I only wish I had more background. Dawkins' writing here isn't overbearingly technical. Still, not being a strong swimmer in science, I found myself at times over my head in deep pools of DNA and replicator genes and had to flail a bit before finding a toehold on some sandbar of familiar detail. Th
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Feb 25, 2009
Feb 08, 2012
Dan
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i really enjoyed this, some parts got a little dry, but for the most part, dawkins as usual does a great job of explaining things in a way everyone can understand.
for those interested in evolution on a more microscopic level, dna and cells, then this is a great book.
for those interested in evolution on a more microscopic level, dna and cells, then this is a great book.
Nov 21, 2011
Lisa
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This is a terrific starter book on the topic of evolution. It's very readable and pretty short but touches on a few major points of evolution. If you have read other Dawkins or books on evolution perhaps skip this book as it is seemingly a primer on the subject.
Feb 22, 2011
Eric
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This was a short, straight forward book that explained some of the basic premises of evolution. Dawkins is very poetic in his writing. I was actually moved during the part where he discussed the indifference of nature toward animal suffering. I would suspect that there are better books on the subject; Dawkins himself has written quite a few. But this was still very good. I thought it was more informative than his latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth.
Mar 10, 2010
Jesse
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An amazing book that really opened my eyes to rethinking life. Great story of a probable history of life, and examples of the wonders of the natural world. Slightly technical but highly recommended.
Nov 22, 2008
Maurice
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If you have read the core Dawkins curriculum (Selfish gene, Blind Watchmaker Extended Phenotype) this is just a refresher. Could be a good introduction for those first considering Dawkins.
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Jul 14, 2009
Bernadette
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I can't say I understood 100% of this book, but I enjoyed this closer look at and exploration of Darwinism, DNA, and natural selection. I particularly enjoyed all the interesting tidbits about different animals that I learned along the way. Nature is fascinating!
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Oct 24, 2011
Jonfaith
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A scientist told me to read this and I did; it is poetry, an insight into a world largely incomprehensible. Facing such as a layman reader with an impoverished grammar, Dawkins illuminates.
Nov 14, 2009
Lynn
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I liked this alot. You can read Unweaving the Rainbow or The Greatest Show on Earth, for a more extensive version of a "Darwinian View of Life", but this book is short and sweet.
