The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution |
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Author:
Richard Dawkins
By Bantam Press
Average Customer Rating: 
List Price: £20.00
Our Price: £8.49
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Product Description
Takes on creationists, including followers of 'Intelligent Design' and those who question the fact of evolution through natural selection.
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 The greatest book on Earth..., 2010-07-19
I'd read two of Dawkins's other books prior to reading this and I'd forgotten how excellent they were until reading this! He may occasionally be abrasive and frequently intolerant, but always with good reason. Creationism is nonsense so it should be treated with contempt. Evolution and creationism aren't two competing theories to be given equal consideration. Evolution is a FACT and creationism/intelligent design is a fantasy and Dawkins is an energetic champion of the former. I challenge anyone to read this book - read it properly - and not come away from it believing in evolution by natural selection. In fact, I think the first three chapters should in themselves achieve this. I also liked the author's pithy asides, footnotes, which were often completely irrelevant, but fun. Dawkins is a genius. And remember: natural selection is "all about the survival of self-replicating instuctions for self-replication". In other words, life is pointless. Fascinating, but ultimately pointless.
 A worthy companion to Darwin, 2010-07-09
The key strength of this accomplished work is Dawkins' significant ability to explain complex scientific ideas with such clarity they are easily accessible to the layperson. It is the uncomplicated prose and precision of expression that together with Oliver Sacks makes Dawkins one of the greatest popularist science writers.
The book lives up to its ambitious title with a roller coaster of a ride through the scientific disciplines of:cell biology, bacteriology, embryology, entomology, horology, horticulture, animal husbandry and plate techtonics, all of which are used effectively to explain and elucidate Darwin's great theory.
Dawkins creatively and powerfully challenges creationist ideologies in chapter 11 by citing evolution's many examples of 'unintelligent design',ranging from blood vessels in the human eye and in the neck of a giraffe to the configuration of human genetalia.Dawkins is at his eloquent best in disputing intelligent design with the clearly expedited description of the arms race between the genes of cheetahs and gazelles, emphasising how natural selection is focussed on the survival and reproduction of individual ('selfish genes')rather than that of individual animals or indeed species.(p304-6)
His use of the example of bacteria explains evolution on a human timescale (overcoming perhaps the greatest obstacle to understanding Darwin's original premise)It is only disappointing that he does not explore the application of evolution to immunolgy.
This comprehensive work fully deserves its place on my book shelf alongside my prized 1872 6th edition of 'The Origin of Species'.
 Greatest Show on earth, but...., 2010-07-20
It was a very intresting book and is full of information. The book is very complete and well researched. It give's you all the evidence of evolution that you will need, not that I think it is needed, but it is shown in this book. I did find this a bit drawn out and dull in places, which neally put me off in places. It would be better if there was more science and less have a go at the church, religion or creationists (weather it is deserved or not). It was a bit tiring, but it still a good book.
Excellent, 2010-07-17
This is an excellent book and makes for fascinating reading. Great value and arrived in pristine condition.
An Important Work, 2010-07-18
Whilst I have found Richard Dawkins to lack warmth as a television presenter at the level of somebody like David Attenborough, nevertheless I have detected a wry sense of humour and of course a very sharp mind at work.
In this book, some of that wit and a somewhat warmer side of the author is revealed, along with his undeniable passion for the subject and his reverence for Charles Darwin.
Rather than repeat some of the excellent positive evaluations of this book written elsewhere on this site, I should merely wish to add my own strong recommendation.
I have read all of the previous books of Dawkins since his first publication of The Selfish Gene and each has been educational in various ways.
The Greatest Show on Earth is an important work, not only because of its educational value, but also because it provides layer upon layer of evidence to support the theory of Evolution. The 'History Deniers" data in the Appendix provides clear evidence why Dawkins is right to be so passionate about the need to educacate people regarding the facts supporting Evolution.
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Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9780593061732
ISBN: 059306173X
Label: Bantam Press
Manufacturer: Bantam Press
Number Of Pages: 406
Publication Date: 2009-09-10
Publisher: Bantam Press
Release Date: 2009-09-03
Studio: Bantam Press |
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