The Greatest Show on Earth

The Evidence for Evolution

By: Richard Dawkins

Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

In 2008, a Gallup poll showed that 44 percent of Americans believed God had created man in his present form within the last 10,000 years. In a Pew Forum poll in the same year, 42 percent believed that all life on earth has existed in its present form since the beginning of time.

In 1859 Charles Darwin's masterpiece, On the Origin of Species, shook society to its core. Darwin was only too aware of the storm his theory of evolution would provoke. But he surely would have raised an incredulous eyebrow at the controversy still raging a century and a half later.

Evolution is accepted as scientific fact by all reputable scientists and indeed theologians, yet millions of people continue to question its veracity. Now the author of the iconic work The God Delusion takes them to task.

The Greatest Show on Earth is a stunning counterattack on advocates of "Intelligent Design", explaining the evidence for evolution while exposing the absurdities of the creationist "argument". Dawkins sifts through rich layers of scientific evidence: from living examples of natural selection to clues in the fossil record; from plate tectonics to molecular genetics. Combining these elements and many more, he makes the airtight case that "we find ourselves perched on one tiny twig in the midst of a blossoming and flourishing tree of life and it is no accident, but the direct consequence of evolution by non-random selection."

The Greatest Show on Earth comes at a critical time: systematic opposition to the fact of evolution is menacing as never before. In American schools, and in schools around the world, insidious attempts are made to undermine the status of science in the classroom. Dawkins wields a devastating argument against this ignorance, but his unjaded passion for the natural world turns what might have been a negative argument into a positive offering to the reader: nothing less than a master's vision of life, in all its splendor.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Richard Dawkins (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"If Charles Darwin walked into a 21st-century bookstore and wanted to know how his theory had fared, this is the book he should pick up. Dawkins remains a superb translator of complex scientific concepts....he has a way of making the drollest details feel like a revelation." ( Publishers Weekly)

A wealth of usable knowledge in every day life

I am very glad to hear Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward clarify the issue of evolution in a clear understandable way.

An awesome book! Thanks prof. Dawkins!

The book I was looking for, a book on the actual evidence on evolution. Thank you!

Excellent

Great explanation on the existence of evolution. One cannot refute the precise and articulate teaching within this book.

A Must hear!

Love it, so many questions answered in a perfect way. The perfect starter guide for those of curios or ambitious mind.

Extremely moving!

I listened to this audiobook while visiting underwater world. Pink dolphins, baby sharks, strange jellyfish! Looking at all the amazing sea life really intensified the words from Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward and made me appreciate the evidence for natural selection even more! I am going to re-listen next week while visiting the zoo!

Informative and inspiring

This books lays out all the best evidence for evolution in a way that is accessible to the layperson. Dawkins makes the point many times that the scientific consensus that evolution enjoys is a result of MANY separate lines of investigation all pointing to the same conclusion. The book even has some of the anti-religious vitriol that I loved in the God Delusion.

Good overview of the case for evo theory

Provides a good overview of major topics in the defense of evolutionary theory. Expects that many readers don't have a lot of prior knowledge on the subject and explains each concept in a way that's easy to follow. The book covers the reasons why the facts support the theory as well as why they point away from the alternate idea of direct supernatural design. Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward take turns reading throughout, and both of them are very pleasant and expressive narrators to listen to.

Another hit by an inspirational author...

An inviting look at evolution. Dawkins has a way of entertaining while he disseminates information and personal thoughts. I highly recommend all of his works.

Fantastic teacher

Dawkins is a fantastic teacher of evolutionary science. He has a thorough understanding of what concepts need to be emphasized and what can be glossed over while still maintaining interest. I really enjoyed listening to him.

Brilliant evidence

This particular Dawkins book does not address the existence of a god. The purpose, instead, is to lay out basic evidence for the truth of evolution. The performance is very good; It resembles a discussion rather than a reading. The evidence is laid out clearly and the book has a nice flow.