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 great book that everyone should read

Dawkins is a master in explaining how life became what it is now and how it works.

Want some anti-religious fervor in your day?

A bit over the top for its anti-religious fervor while trying to present some real science. Just give me the science and keep your brand of intolerance off the written page please. And yes, Horatio, the science is amazing and likely correct.

Must read!!

This book is a must for anyone who is interested in science, ignorant of evolution, or who just a wants to know more about how life has evolved. It was great!

I wish...

This book would be put on the required reading list at all the schools. Not only it provides fascinating facts about evolution it also convinces with incredibly well structured arguments. I learned so much about all the lives on earth and earth itself.

Packed with info

What made the experience of listening to The Greatest Show on Earth the most enjoyable?

So much information. This book provides so many examples of and evidence for evolution from so many different perspectives. At times it can drag on a bit but that's why I love audible, I can get through a book in a week rather than 3 months.

Mistery revealed

A beautiful read for curious mind. A gateway to Charlse Darwin's evolution by natural selection. This combined with Cosmos by Carl Segan give me how, why and where I belong. Strongly recommend.

Excellent Description of the Evidence

Would you listen to The Greatest Show on Earth again? Why?

If you don't understand evolution then this explains in both great detail and at the same time simply how it works. There are so many that just deny what is in front of their eyes and replace it by various fairy stories. Remember even the Vatican accepts evolution!

The answer to the most controversial question.

There is no other more clear explanation that evolution is pure fact at glance the evidence is out there!

A must read for everyone.

Even if you don't believe in evolution everyone should try to understand it. I thought I knew and I was mistaken. Dawkins does a great job explaining and he's British, so he sounds cool. ;-)

great reading of this wonderful book

loved listening to this book. The book is read in such a way that its easy to follow