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)

Interesting book and excellent readers

Dawkins lays out clearly and concisely the science behind evolution. Not only is the book interesting, Dawkins and his wife are also great readers as well. Excellent all-round.

Extremely informative, a joy to listen to

Evolution has always captured my imagination, and this book may now be my favorite on the subject. Dawkins' passion is obvious in his narration, and he makes the case for natural selection and evolution gracefully. I sincerely hope he and his wife (Mrs. Ward) decides to go back and narrate some of his other books.. they're a joy to listen to.

If you're reading this book with a genuine desire to understand, it will leave you without a shadow of a doubt in the fact of evolution. I especially delight in the fact that our evidence is so strong, that the fossil record is just icing on the cake! Definitely give this book a listen, and if you're looking for something more theologically oriented, also checkout the God Delusion.. both transformative in their own right.

Powerfully convincing (the science part)

It's hard to imagine that many books out there present a clearer, more logical, and more eloquent explanation of why scientists consider evolution a fact than this one does. As Dawkins explains from the beginning, the public often misunderstands the implications of the word "theory". In turn, he examines each component of evolutionary science, showing in straightforward language how each is logical, sound, supported by an enormous array of facts, and reinforced by other areas of understanding. If like me, you accepted Darwin's theory, but were fuzzy on some of its specifics, Dawkins provides a satisfying overview of natural selection, genetics, mutation, the fossil record, geology, and even some physics and math. The reader learns how evolution has been demonstrated in a laboratory (with bacteria), why the fossil record isn't even necessary to convince scientists of evolution's reality, and how the ideas have been tested with mathematical models.

Dawkins' other goal is to debunk popular Creationist beliefs, and this he does with a certain amount of glee, pointing out the many factual inaccuracies and logical flaws they contain. He also corrects common misconceptions about the theory of evolution, that make Creationist arguments easier to swallow. By the time he's finished, he's made it very difficult for any Creationist to logically refute his framework of reasoning. That said, I think he sometimes strays too far from science into theological territory, attacking conceptions of God that are a little more simplistic than those many religious people actually hold. After all, many theists accept the reality of evolution, but believe that the will of God is still present in natural events.

This is a very informative, well-argued, and substantial book, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys science and wants to understand how evolutionary science has gotten to where it is today.

more than many readers can chew

Great science, explicit and careful descriptions. Wonderfully read by Dawkins and his wife Lalla. Although I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject, those expecting it to be easily digested my get bogged down. Nevertheless, give it a try, perhaps listen to it more than once. If possible, augment it with a printed copy. I was captivated. I'm familiar nearly all of the subject matter but some parts were covered in a depth I never encountered.

A great showcase of reason and inquiry

Dawkins scores another hit with me. This book is thorough in its logic, and it doesn't try to 'dumb down' crucial concepts. This is one thing I love about Dawkins. Just as he doesn't adhere to the compulsory veneration of strange belief systems, he also does not try to massage the facts into small minds. If you get it, you get it. If you don't...get an encyclopedia.
Finally, I think the back-and-forth narration was a great choice. I felt like Dawkins and Ward were sitting around the coffee table having a true conversation.

Comprehensive and enjoyable

Dr. Dawkins presents the strongest case for natural selection and its role in driving biological evolution. The evidence presented is extensive and far reaching: ranging from radiometric analysis of fossils, evidence from embryology - and perhaps what was the most captivating to me - the molecular evidence. His compelling conclusion (I paraphrase) that even if a single fossil were not discovered, the evidence supporting natural selection is overwhelming. Creationists and proponents of intelligent design can only arrive at their conclusions by blatantly ignoring these facts

what an absolutely phenomenal book!

I never thought that a book on evolution could keep me on the edge of my seat. it is such an exciting listen and packed with so much fascinating and useful information. well done!

Best book

One of the best books I have ever read. i would recommend it to anyone

Great supplement or introduction to evolution!

Whether you're well versed in the science and facts and facts about evolution and want to supplement you're understanding of the subject or you are new to the topic and would like a thorough introduction to understanding the theory, this book is a must read. Dawkins has a way of putting things that make complex topics accessible and easy to understand without making you feel patronized or dumb. He tells a fantastic story of the experimental and historical evidence that shows the theory of evolution to be an undeniable fact and paints a picture that makes the denial evolution tantamount to saying the earth is flat or that we dont revolve around the sun. He tells the story of evolution in a way that, while at times is dark and grim, is both humorous and fascinatingly rich in detail while also having the ability at certain moments to move you very deeply. With each new page I found I learned something new and amazing about the way life works and developed on earth and found myself telling friends about the amazing tidbits I had learned that day while reading the book. Dawkins passion for this subject shines through the pages as he defends one of his true heroes in life through describing what Darwin went through to pass this astonishing and amazing knowledge down to further generations. This is an amazing journey into the theory of one of the more controversial but well established and TRUE facets of the modern scientific world. If you want to understand the theory or just want a refreshing and honest take on it from a seasoned voice in the field then you will love this book.

Not for casual listening...

Very interesting read, and keeps your attention by switching between Dawkins and Ward. You do really have to focus on the subject matter, which is a bit in depth, or you will find yourself hitting the back button often. Now only if he would do "The Selfish Gene" on tape...