Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins
The Greatest Show on Earth is a non-fiction book that provides evidence for biological evolution and defends it against creationist arguments. Dawkins argues that replicating genes are the central force behind evolution, not individual organisms or species. He discusses artificial selection and provides an easy-to-understand guide to biological evolution.
What I Liked
This book is an incredible piece of scientific writing. I love how well the book explains the counterintuitive ideas of natural selection, evolution, and science. I really like how the book emphasizes the beauty, novelty, and “show” of the physical world all around us in a time when we are all looking for a “show” on our screens for more and more of the day. We would all do better to put the screens down and get curious about the world around us.
What I Did Not Like
The author (like most of Dawkins’ books) lets a little too much of himself into the book. Dawkins is one of the best scientific communicators and explainers ever. He really is that good of a writer. But, he also has a bit of a chip on his shoulder that interrupts the book in parts.
