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What Members Thought

I read the 30th anniversary edition of this book--it is a true "classic". I note that there are over 48,000 ratings and 1,400 reviews of this book on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! Richard Dawkins put an entirely original slant on Darwin's theory of natural selection. The book has turned people around, to the understanding that the gene plays the single most central role in natural selection, rather than the individual organism. Over the course of generations, evolution plays a role to ensure the survival of the ge
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This book was recommended to me while I was working on a research project in Evolutionary Psychology at my university. Being a student in Psychology, I had background knowledge in evolution and natural selection, but this book changed the way I thought about evolutionary theory.
It may not be hard science (it is, after all, popular science writing), but it will open your eyes to different ways of thinking about genes and genomes. It's also a fun read, that can be read in a day (which is more than ...more
It may not be hard science (it is, after all, popular science writing), but it will open your eyes to different ways of thinking about genes and genomes. It's also a fun read, that can be read in a day (which is more than ...more

This is a really wonderful book. I tried to read it a couple of years ago and just wasn't able to get through it. Although Richard Dawkins is very smart and writes well, he has a tendency to come of as a bit of a snob. So initially, this really repelled me. However, once I gave it a genuine attempt I was able to get past the sections where an annoyingly know-it-all tone pops up and was able to really appreciate it for the great work that it is. The Selfish Gene describes Dawkin's theory (partly
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For whatever reason, in the second edition of The Selfish Gene, Dawkins was not inclined to compromise the fidelity of the original so instead appended commentary of developments since the first edition at the end, likely referenced by footnote in the printed version. In the audio however, he made the unfortunate choice to interleave this commentary throughout the reading. As a result, the main content of the book is interrupted every few minutes by a defensive exposition directed at the critics
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“The Selfish Gene� is an extremely well researched and written book on evolution. Dawkins looks at the genes as the most basic unit of replication. He argues that it is the survival of genes that is the reason that life exists and that “a predominant quality to be expected in a successful gene is ruthless selfishness�.
It is a very thought provoking read. He not only looks at the how a gene propagates from generation to generation but also how a gene might express certain behaviour in an organis ...more
It is a very thought provoking read. He not only looks at the how a gene propagates from generation to generation but also how a gene might express certain behaviour in an organis ...more

I admit a certain prejudice against Richard Dawkins, whom I originally had my hero list. But when he started his evangelism of atheism, he lost my respect. I do not object in any way to atheists; what I resent is an atheist's (or anyone else's) scorn of my own beliefs.
Anyway, that prejudice may have influenced me. Dawkins has an intriguing premise and sets it forth reasonably, but in places I found myself annoyed with his intellectual superiority. Perhaps it's my fault rather than his - but not ...more
Anyway, that prejudice may have influenced me. Dawkins has an intriguing premise and sets it forth reasonably, but in places I found myself annoyed with his intellectual superiority. Perhaps it's my fault rather than his - but not ...more

Aug 15, 2007
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