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Summary: A complete shift from the modern dogma of popular culture.
Review: A beautiful illustration of the concepts behind evolution. Although he is certainly not the first to brings these concepts to light, he could be however be the first to lay it all down so exceptionally in layman's terms. Dawkins demonstrates that you don't need to be a biologist to understand evolution to its full extent. The principles could not be simpler; the laws are not complex or unfounded, they are composed of irrefutable logic. This book is a true challenge to those that say that evolutionary biology is an untestable pseudo-science. Dawkins forms several hypothesis that are faslifiable and easily tested. Scientists have observed speciation and adaptation (evolution) in many species over the years. Not in the least that of the peppered moth. If you want to truly understand the beautifully simplistic process that we call evolution, this is your book! If you are tired of popular culture's religious dogma and want some true answers, read this book. You will realize that the "ultimate" questions we have been asking about existance and life are simply not the right questions. This book will change the way you view the world.
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Summary: Why politicize a scientific text?
Review: It is to be regretted that so many people use these reviews for expressing their political, social and/or religious beliefs, instead of giving the opinion of the text and thereby aiding others in their choice. The Selfish Gene is not pseudo-science,(...). This reveals a fundamental ignorance of scientific theory and philosophy. Yes, if you perform experiments those will have to be reproducible. But not all science is experimental. We cannot perform experiments on the moon, but that does not disqualify all astronomic theory about it: much can be learned by observation. What is more, elsewhere (Climbing Mount Improbable) Dawkins has demonstrated that certain principles of evolution can be simulated using computer models. There is no doubt that this is a very important scientific text, maybe the most important one of the last thirty years. Dawkins' work has formed the basis of much of our own perception of the world, science, and evolution. I would go so far as to say that it is difficult to take anyone that speaks about evolution without having read this book seriously. Essential, pick it up as soon as you have finished the Origin of Species.
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Summary: If I could give this less than one star, I would!
Review: Absolute fluff. Pseudo science at its most apologetic, hateful worst. It just goes to show that statistics, in the hands of anyone with an axe to grind, can be dangerous. The worst part is that it is well-written tripe. On the surface, the main argument seems logical. Too bad it's not science! Terrible. Worse than terrible - dangerous and misleading!
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Summary: A must read.
Review: This book is the 20th century's Origin of Species. One of the most important books ever written, this book shows you how life works.
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Summary: A wonderful book
Review: With THE SELFISH GENE, Dawkins has set the pace for scientific thinking in the 21st century. The book has influenced new thinkers like David Deutsch and Paco Ahlgren. I strongly recommend this work.
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Summary: great book :)
Review: This was probably my first real taste at reading non fiction for no other reason than leisure. (oh wait.. i read nonfiction before too.. nm...im a book worm >_<) But ok, this is the first non fiction book I read that wasn't designed for a classroom or for children. That's probably more accurate. And all I can say is that I loved it :) It's been a while since I've read it so most of what I write is recalled from memory. This book presents the theory that the existence of all life is for a single purpose- the survival of our genes. The book proceeds to describe how this has led to the development of life as we know it from the single cell. The book is absolutely chocked full of information. I was disappointed since much of it did focus upon animals but it does touch upon humans as well. Some parts of the book were a bit difficult to digest since they talked in very mathematical terms but overall, the book gave a very clear breakdown of the survival of the fittest, the fittest of genes. However, my most favourite part and perhaps the section most worth noting of the book would have to be the last chapter. The Memes. But I don't want to give it away. Read the book yourself :)
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Summary: An excellent read in Evolution
Review: The Selfish gene is one of the pioneering books in modern evolutionary thought, which will not be surprising to anyone who reads it. Dawkins writes comprehensively and thoroughly without letting his complex and mainly innovative ideas become dry or boring. Although The Selfish Gene discusses many advanced concepts, it is by no means aimed only at professional readers. I do think, though, that it would be an advantage to be familiar with the main tenets of evolutionary theory before starting this book, for you will be taken to a realm beyond basic organic evolution. Dawkins goes further to explain formerly troublesome problems in evolutionary thought with a convincing argument for gene selection. Like any thorough essayist, he discusses the other prevailing notions of selective units in an evolving population and then goes on to argue why it is the gene, not the individual or the population as a whole, that is under selective pressure. Dawkins provides dozens of stunningly interesting examples in nature to provide evidence for his arguments, maintaining all the while a humorous and clear writing style. You need not worry about trudging through complicated mathematical proofs or obscure evolutionary jargon. I would recommend The Selfish Gene to all who are interested in evolutionary thought. Be you familiar or unfamiliar with this topic, you will derive pleasure and inspiration from this book.
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Summary: Dawkins' eternal masterpiece
Review: This book is Richard Dawkins' seminal work presenting genes as selfish lifeless entities whose prime concern is to propagate copies of themselves through time. He asserts that through the billions of years that genes have been replicating, they have developed ingenious ways to do so more efficiently. In particular, genes have collaborated to evolve bodies that may be used to more effectively distribute their genetic information. The concept that Dawkins proposes is very original, and it is possible to understand life from a different perspective, whereby the gene is the driving force of life's journey through time. The book is extremely well written and as one glides through the chapters, Dawkins siphons his knowledge directly to the reader with ease. If you love reading about nature and its complexities as well as the mysteries of life and its development through the ages, Dawkins' masterpiece is the book for you.
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Summary: Richard Dawkins's Selfish Gene
Review: I purchased this book for a class at school (Biology 110 - Evolution and Behavior). My original anticipations of the book were quite vague, being that I was required to purchase it, however, to my astonishment, this book turned out to be the most wonderfully written masterpiece I have ever laid my eyes upon! Richard Dawkins is an absolute genius! Although I must admit, in the beginning, with neutralized or non-existent intensions, I found myself trying, somehow, to debate the information I was acquiring. There had to be a hole, here, there, whatever, I thought, and the more I tried to find something to dislike about this book, the more I fell in love with it! The Selfish Gene is so astonishing that I believe I'm going to petition the Oxford Press to publish a pocket sized version, so that I may always have it by my side (but I don't believe I was entirely serious about that last part: if you didn't catch that). Anyway, I recommend this version quite excitedly!
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Summary: Broaden your horizons
Review: This book does a superb job of providing an explanation for how self-replicating units (what we all call genes) might have first come about and comes up with a theory (the selfish gene theory) that then may explain how they have been passed down the generations through time and the consequences for life on earth. As the author states, he provides the "gene's eye view of Nature." This is not genetic reductionism; Dawkins is very clear in stressing that human behavior, intellect, and biology IS NOT merely determined by our genes. He merely makes observations about the fundamental building blocks of life and how they behave. Sometimes, he takes the theory too far or ventures too deeply into tangential issues (e.g., in my view, the chapter on Memes was an amusing but ultimately dispensable sidetrack). But most of the time he is spot on, providing compelling insights into the way the selfish gene theory could be at work in the world. Frankly, I am baffled by those reviewers who think that Dawkins is trying to find some overarching theory for reality. He is not. He actually warns people NOT to overinterrpret his book in the preface and elsewhere. This is worth a read, believe me. The author is a clear thinker and an eloquent writer. Take a look.
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