This is a good book, but it took me a very long time to read it. Unlike many other books written for the layperson this one required me to wear a "thinking cap" the whole time. I must admit that I don't have a lot of knowledge in the biological sciences so I'm sure that impeded my progress a bit.
The book's premise is interesting and original. Dawkins traces the steps of evolution backwards beginning with homo sapiens and ending at the "dawn of life." The story is arranged in a sort of Canturbury Tales manner (Chaucer's masterpiece is mentioned several times). In each section a particular species (or two) tell their own tale about what special evolutionary "advance" they have made. Dawkins also includes little asides about current world politics and his opinions about religious institutions (something that was common in Canturbury Tales).
I put the word "advance" in quotes for a reason. Part of the point of this book is to explain how most laypeople have an unscientific view of evolution. Dawkins points out that if we could go back and restart "life" all over again, we probably wouldn't exist. There is no invisible evolutionary arrow pointing to homo sapiens or any other species for that matter. I highly recommend this book, though it is probably boring for those who have studied the life sciences in depth.
RATING: 5/5
Posted by alycia at March 4, 2005 01:10 AM