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The Selfish Gene

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The Selfish Gene

By: Richard Dawkins
Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward
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About this listen

Richard Dawkins' brilliant reformulation of the theory of natural selection has the rare distinction of having provoked as much excitement and interest outside the scientific community as within it. His theories have helped change the whole nature of the study of social biology, and have forced thousands to rethink their beliefs about life.

In his internationally best-selling, now classic, volume, The Selfish Gene, Dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, Dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. Bees, for example, will commit suicide when they sting to protect the hive, and birds will risk their lives to warn the flock of an approaching hawk.

©1989 Richard Dawkins (P)2011 Audible, Inc. Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics Genetics Science

Critic Reviews

"Dawkins first book, The Selfish Gene, was a smash hit.... Best of all, Dawkins laid out this biology - some of it truly subtle - in stunningly lucid prose. (It is, in my view, the best work of popular science ever written.)" (H. Allen Orr, Professor of Biology, University of Rochester, in The New York Review of Books)
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Most relevant
This is like a text book and maybe not the most suitable type of book for listening but to hear Dawkins personally bring his anecdotes and humour to life is invaluable. Nearly 50 years since first published, the end notes are a history of Dawkins change in views throughout his lifetime. It has fired up a great interest in evolutionary biology for me.

Astounding body of work

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Although outdated and superceded now this classic was a great way to pass a few idle hours. It was interesting to see that a few concepts we take for granted now were so muddled such a short time ago. worth every second spent.

Narated by the man himself.

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Good concept but occasionally waffles on. Would have been nice to see the author back up the selfish gene theroy against harder opponents like religious extremism and sacrifice.

Good ideas

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Any additional comments?

Dawkin's 'Selfish Gene' is of course one of the great science publications of the decade. But it is surprisingly easy to listen to. Dawkins has a passionate and articulate voice, as does Lala Ward, though the constant changing between the 2 voices can be distracting. At the end of the book, Dawkins refers to his favourite publication 'The Extended Phenotype' which I discovered is accessible freely online as pdf (hope this is legitimate). A must read!

Great book, great listening experience.

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"Survival Machines" - what an amazingly unique perspective! I found this book incredibly interesting and informative!

Wonderfully thought-provoking

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