The Selfish Gene

by R. Dawkins
The Selfish Gene cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Science and Innovation
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  • ID: 8736
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-22
  • ISBN: 9780191574061
  • Publisher: OUP Oxford
  • Published: 2006-03-16
  • Reviews: 3

The Selfish Gene is a classic exposition of evolutionary thought that has become a million-copy international bestseller. Translated into over 25 languages, this 30th anniversary edition includes a new introduction from the author, along with the original prefaces and foreword, and extracts from early reviews. Professor Dawkins presents a gene's eye view of evolution, giving center stage to these persistent units of information and seeing organisms as vehicles for their replication. This imaginative and stylistically brilliant work not only brought the insights of Neo-Darwinism to a wide audience but also galvanized the biology community, generating much debate and stimulating new areas of research./n/nAs relevant and influential today as when it was first published, The Selfish Gene offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of evolutionary biology. Dawkins' articulate and engaging writing style makes complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and the mechanisms that drive life's diversity.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-12-22
fascinating 4.20

This book is highly recommended for those interested in genetics, evolution, or sociology, as it offers a fascinating exploration of these topics.

Goodreads' review emphasizes the book's fascinating exploration of genetics, evolution, and sociology. The reviewer highly recommends it to anyone interested in these fields, praising its clarity and depth. The book's ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a wide audience is particularly noted. It's seen as a must-read for those looking to understand the fundamental principles of evolutionary biology.

Quick quotes

    This is an absolutely fascinating book.

    I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in genetics, evolution, or sociology.

    It offers a fascinating exploration of these topics.

We Need to Talk About Books · 2016-06-06
classic 4.50

The book is a science classic, confident yet modest, and marvels at the wonders of nature.

The reviewer from We Need to Talk About Books praises The Selfish Gene as a science classic, noting its unashamed confidence and modesty in presenting its arguments. They appreciate the book's ability to marvel at the wonders of nature while maintaining a rigorous scientific perspective. The book's impact on the field of evolutionary biology is highlighted, and it is seen as a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the fundamental principles of genetics and evolution.

Quick quotes

    The Selfish Gene is rightfully a science classic.

    Unashamedly confident, yet modest of its own genius while marvelling at the wonders of nature.

    It is seen as a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the fundamental principles of genetics and evolution.

The Guardian · 2012-08-31
compelling 4.00

The book presents a compelling argument that genes are the primary units of selection in evolution, but it can be seen as remorseless in its perspective on individual lives.

The Guardian's review highlights Dawkins' argument that genes are the driving force behind evolution, shaping not just biology but also human behavior and culture. The reviewer appreciates the book's bold perspective, though they note that it can be unsettling in its portrayal of individual lives as mere vessels for genetic perpetuation. The book's impact on the field of evolutionary biology is undeniable, and it remains a significant work in the scientific community.

Quick quotes

    Dawkins argues remorselessly that individual lives are merely punctuation points in automaton genes' quest for eternity.

    The book presents a compelling argument that genes are the primary units of selection in evolution.

    It remains a significant work in the scientific community.

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