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The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution
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More About the Author
Product Description
Matt Ridley, author of Nature via Nurture.
'Dawkins combines an artist's wonder at the virtuosity of nature with a scientist's understanding of how it comes to be.'
Lord Harries of Pentregarth (formerly Bishop Richard Harries)
'This is the book Richard Dawkins needed to write and many need to read ... clear, absorbing and vivid.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
372 of 396 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Richard Dawkins is probably one of the most well known proponents of Evolution today. He is either held in high regard or subject to considerable loathing, depending on your view of evolution. This book has one clear aim - to present the evidence for evolution in a simple, but not compromised fashion, so that it can be held up against the claims made by those who would deny its importance, or even its occurrence. In this regard the book is an overwhelming success.
In a logical fashion Dawkins steps through such topics as "what do we mean by a theory", dating methods for fossils, missing links (and if there are such things), plate tectonics and its influence on plant and animal distribution, embryology and molecular genetics and evolution. Each chapter adds another layer to the evidence for Evolution. Where other scientific understanding is required it is provided. For example, there is a short description of the classic atomic models needed to understand the dating methods used on geological samples. The best chapters are the final two, and this is not to say the ones before are not of an extremely high standard. The penultimate chapter addresses Evolutionary Arms races, with a clear emphasis on predator prey relationships, while the final chapter unpacks a paragraph from the original version of On the Origin of Species to show how far reaching and advanced Darwin's thinking was at the time of its publication.
Dawkins is clear, if possibly optimistic, in his aim to address this book at those who find evolution difficult, for I doubt they will read this book. He terms these people "the history-deniers" in a clear allusion to the controversies in the study of recent History, where despite incontrovertible evidence people still deny the occurrences of certain events.
In his last book Dawkins addressed religious belief in a way that clearly conveyed his rage, but somehow seem to lack subtly. While this is not the case here, the book does contain more than enough characteristic barbs to delight (or enrage!) readers already familiar with his previous writing. He helps the reader at every stage, even to the point of suggesting you should not read particular sections if you are tired! But it is in one single passage, where he casually mentions that you should see the Redwoods of California before you die, that his passion shines through most strongly and clearly.
Here you see his wonder for a world full of remarkable diversity, all brought about by a process that is deceptively simple - evolution through natural selection. This is a timely book that should be read by anybody who has an interest in understanding the world as it actually is. This is the best single account of the evidence for evolution I have read and it is impossible to recommend it highly enough.
(This review is based on the Australian paperback version, which was released last week).
In a logical fashion Dawkins steps through such topics as "what do we mean by a theory", dating methods for fossils, missing links (and if there are such things), plate tectonics and its influence on plant and animal distribution, embryology and molecular genetics and evolution. Each chapter adds another layer to the evidence for Evolution. Where other scientific understanding is required it is provided. For example, there is a short description of the classic atomic models needed to understand the dating methods used on geological samples. The best chapters are the final two, and this is not to say the ones before are not of an extremely high standard. The penultimate chapter addresses Evolutionary Arms races, with a clear emphasis on predator prey relationships, while the final chapter unpacks a paragraph from the original version of On the Origin of Species to show how far reaching and advanced Darwin's thinking was at the time of its publication.
Dawkins is clear, if possibly optimistic, in his aim to address this book at those who find evolution difficult, for I doubt they will read this book. He terms these people "the history-deniers" in a clear allusion to the controversies in the study of recent History, where despite incontrovertible evidence people still deny the occurrences of certain events.
In his last book Dawkins addressed religious belief in a way that clearly conveyed his rage, but somehow seem to lack subtly. While this is not the case here, the book does contain more than enough characteristic barbs to delight (or enrage!) readers already familiar with his previous writing. He helps the reader at every stage, even to the point of suggesting you should not read particular sections if you are tired! But it is in one single passage, where he casually mentions that you should see the Redwoods of California before you die, that his passion shines through most strongly and clearly.
Here you see his wonder for a world full of remarkable diversity, all brought about by a process that is deceptively simple - evolution through natural selection. This is a timely book that should be read by anybody who has an interest in understanding the world as it actually is. This is the best single account of the evidence for evolution I have read and it is impossible to recommend it highly enough.
(This review is based on the Australian paperback version, which was released last week).
43 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've been a student of evolution for a while; but this is the first book I've read specifically about the evidence for evolution. Everything you'd expect is indeed presented: biogeography, molecular genetics, transitional fossils, vestiges, homologies, suboptimal design; plus a few things that one might not expect.
Still, the book is not as tight as it could be, and at times I found myself struggling to stay focused while the book went on a digression of marginal relevance (for example, there's an entire chapter on embryology which only explains why it's relevant in the last couple of pages).
Anyway, this is still a good book, but a more patient reader than I am might find it more enjoyable.
Still, the book is not as tight as it could be, and at times I found myself struggling to stay focused while the book went on a digression of marginal relevance (for example, there's an entire chapter on embryology which only explains why it's relevant in the last couple of pages).
Anyway, this is still a good book, but a more patient reader than I am might find it more enjoyable.
70 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Anyone and everyone can read this book - it has set a new benchmark for popular science which can be seen as yet another necessary stage in the public's understanding of the most universally paramount scientific discovery, the study of the very essence of life itself. Dawkins is able to create a lucid, informative and easy to read overview of his and others previous work while offering a fresh approach to understanding 'the greatest show on earth'. The greatest thing that this book achieves is that it successfully steps outside the worn debate of 'creationist vs. evolutionist' which too often holds back serious and progressive discussion. I would highly recommend this book to anyone for or against evolution, or who has even the slightest interest in Science.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Clear and compelling
Just to add to the very strong consensus that this is a clear and compelling review of the scientific evidence in favour of evolution through natural selection. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Kilronan
Dawkins addict
Plain and easy, if you are dubious about religion or find yourself laughing in agreeance with those who say 'If all animals are related, why don't we get sheep monkeys' etc. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Paul
The Greatest Show On Earth
Arrived on time and in better condition than described! If you like anything by Richard Dawkins, then don't hesitate in getting this book! Read more
Published 1 month ago by AL
richard dawkins-the greatest show on earth
A MAN WHO WHO NEVER LETS YOU DOWN,AS ALWAYS YOU COME AWAY FROM READING THIS SUPERB BOOK WITH A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE AND NATURE.
a BOOK NOT TO BE MISSED.
a BOOK NOT TO BE MISSED.
Published 1 month ago by potter-me
150 years on from Origin Of Species, here's an update
After the high-profile attack on Creationism that was "The God Delusion", Richard Dawkins turns back to science, and manages 99% of the time to stick to the facts and produce a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Stuart Bruce
Amazing
Brilliant insightful and compelling. The proof of Evolution is so enormous that it is pure ignorance to deny it on religious grounds.
Published 2 months ago by evo1ution
Richard Keeps Us Informed!
Richard Dawkins, is an absolute joy to read. His expertise in his science field of biology and vast knowledge base of research. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Blake
Compelling, extremely well-written, pivotal
One of the greatest accounts of evolution I have read, The Greatest Show on Earth demonstrates with credible, rock-solid evidence for its case. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Louis
quite good.
This is a much better read than the truly awful 'God Delusion'.Dawkins passion for
his subject shines through,and thats admirable. Read more
his subject shines through,and thats admirable. Read more
Published 2 months ago by spike
who created richard ?
greatest show on earth richard dawkins or rather as styled RICHARD DAWKINS greatest show on earth the evidence for evolution the triumph of the evolved ego dawkins goes back to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by mark1000
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