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Science in the Soul cover art

Science in the Soul

By: Richard Dawkins
Narrated by: Richard Dawkins,Lalla Ward,Gillian Somerscales
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Summary

Richard Dawkins - author of The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker and The God Delusion - is one of science's greatest communicators. This anthology of more than 40 pieces is a kaleidoscopic argument for the power and the glory of science. Breathtaking, brilliant and passionate, these essays, journalism, lectures and letters make an unanswerable case for the wonder of scientific discovery and its power to stir the imagination; for the practical necessity of scientific endeavour to society; and for the importance of the scientific way of thinking - particularly in today's 'post-truth' world.

With an introduction and new commentary by the author, subjects range from evolution and Darwinian natural selection to the role of scientist as prophet, whether science is itself a religion, the probability of alien life in other worlds, and the beauties, cruelties and oddities of earthly life in this one. Alongside the explications, the celebrations and the controversies are wonderfully funny ventures into satire and parody and moving personal reflections in memory and honour of others.

Science in the Soul is a sparkling showcase for Professor Dawkins' rapier wit, the clarity, precision and vigour he brings to an argument, the beauty of his prose, the depth of his feeling and his capacity for joy.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio on our desktop site.

©2017 Richard Dawkins (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

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A crusade against an army of straw men

I've had a soft spot for Richard Dawkins from when I first read The Selfish Gene, but you really have to wonder where Mr Dawkins is going now. Most of the views he fights against in this book seem to me only to be held by utter cranks. He (and his wife) voice these cranky views in such hyperbolic inverted commas, that they must feel this too. At one point (theoretically addressing arch-crank, HRH The Prince of Wales) Dawkins launches into a complete rant against David Cameron and his decision to hold a referendum on Brexit. How did that get into a book on science? Dawkins is really quite offensive, saying that there is a rule about not letting imbeciles into the House of Commons, which should have been applied in Cameron's case. Anyway I digress. The point is that I cannot understand who this book is for. If you hold cranky new-age ideas you won't read a book by Mr Dawkins, if you basically love learning, rationality, enlightenment, and all that Dawkins has fought to defend all his life, you will not discover much new or interesting in this book. It mostly sets up silly ideas and then demolishes them.

Narration. Oh dear. If you heard me talk you would probably mark me up as someone a bit posh, but this ivory-tower simpering is too much even for me. The exaggerated respect for the 'ordinary person' who really should not be talked down to. Yuk. I'm sorry - this man is rich enough to pay for professional actors to read his works.

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22 people found this helpful

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Let's face it, it's Dawkins, it's got to be good.

Dawkins is a wonderful science educator and himself a shining candle in the dark. I would recommend reading/listening to all of his books.

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8 people found this helpful

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A must for anyone who enjoys logical argument.

This collection of works by the author, with some editorial pieces added in, is a masterpiece.

Richard Dawkins is about as clear a thinker as one could hope to ever meet. His entire thought process is so accessible and rational, you will find yourself drawn in inexorably.

The narration is first class both in terms of clarity and speed.

Be forewarned: this work may, as it did to me, make you weep for the loss of potential engendered in modern humanity. It will, however, bring you through this despair and into the light of possibility and wonder, the hallmark of Professor Dawkin's arguments.

Prepare to ride the rollercoaster that is scientific discovery and be amazed by all the things that you did not know. Those previously unknown subjects will have a bright torch shone upon them and leave you wondering, how you could ever have failed to see something so patently obvious before?

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, for unlike Professor Dawkins, my language fails me. Instead, be assured this book will educate you thoroughly, everyone, from child to Doctor, from the curious to the academic.

Listen to this book.

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Rubbish

I love RIchard Dawkins, I have read or listened to all his books and am a massive fan of his work in general. But this book is rubbish. Sorry

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Food for the mind

Aside from the "humour" section, which I found literally sleep inducing, this collection of popular science writings is inspiring and satisfying. I found the different voices jarring to begin with, but there's enough of Dawkins there to make this a worthwhile purchase.

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Everyone should hear this

We can all learn from these writings. Essential reading for life, unless you have no interest in the world?

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not for me

Found this quite repetitive and dull and difficult to listen to so I only got a couple of hours in.

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Concentrated cerebric acid

Made all the more "listenable" by a newfound growl, Dawkins' collection is a grand tour of the inspirational, textured by ascerbic polemic and at once schoolboyish and educational. It celebrates the best of the subject of science - and of its object, our beautiful, bewildering world.

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Laugh, Think and Cry but mainly think

A book written and delivered so well, and one that lives up to its title, I cannot recommend enough.

It made me smile and often laugh out loud, even on a crowded tube, parts made me cry but almost all of it made me think and learn.

If you think science and scientists lack the ability and soul to entertain this book will prove you wrong!

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Great collection of dawkins

I loved the range of subject Dawkins used his formidable reason and logic on. Very enjoyable and I learned a lot.

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