The Magic of Reality

How We Know What's Really True

By: Richard Dawkins

Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward

Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Richard Dawkins, the world’s most famous evolutionary biologist, presents a gorgeously lucid, science book examining some of the nature’s most fundamental questions both from a mythical and scientific perspective.

Science is our most precise and powerful tool for making sense of the world. Before we developed the scientific method, we created rich mythologies to explain the unknown. The pressing questions that primitive men and women asked are the same ones we ask as children. Who was the first person? What is the sun? Why is there night and day? The myths that address these questions are beautiful, but in every case their beauty is exceeded by the scientific truth.

With characteristic clarity and verve, Dawkins answers these big questions. Looking first at some of the myths that arose to answer the question, he then, dazzles us with the facts. He looks at the building blocks of matter, the first humans, the sun - explaining the life and death of stars; why there’s a night and a day - ranging from our solar system to the inner workings of our planet; what a rainbow really is—going from the rainbow in your backyard to the age of the universe; and finally, he poses a question that still baffles scientists: When did everything begin?

©2011 Richard Dawkins, Ltd. (P)2011 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"I wanted to write this book but I wasn't clever enough. Now I've read it, I am." (Ricky Gervais)

“Exhilarating. The clearest and most beautifully written introduction to science I've ever read. Again and again I found myself saying 'Oh! So that's how genes work!' (or stars, or tectonic plates, or all the other things he explains). Explanations I thought I knew were clarified; things I never understood were made clear for the first time. My favourite adjective of praise has always been "clear", and this book has clarity all the way through.” (Philip Pullman, author of The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ and the His Dark Materials trilogy)

I am often asked to recommend good books on science for young people. From now on, I will not have to hesitate. The Magic of Reality provides a beautiful, accessible and wide ranging volume that addresses the questions that all of us have about the universe, separating often too-little known facts from too-frequently believed fictions. For this reason it should be a powerful resource for people of all ages, written with the masterful and eloquently literate style of perhaps the best popular expositor of science, Richard Dawkins, and delightfully illustrated by Dave McKean. What more could anyone ask for?” (Lawrence Krauss is Foundation Professor and Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University and the author most recently of Quantum Man, and A Universe from Nothing)

Brilliant Bully

What did you love best about The Magic of Reality?

Dawkins does a wonderful job walking the reader through the basics of science. Even if you're familiar with all the concepts it's still fun to review.

Any additional comments?

However, Dawkins seems to have a need to bully any religious faith. That position subtracted from the enjoyment of the book.

Very good overview

Although I found some segments oversimplified, this book provides very good explanations for those with a poor understanding of scientific concepts. unfortunately I'm not sure it will reach those who would benefit most. I did enjoy the comparisons of myth to science-based facts, very much, however a religious person would probably be infuriated by them, even though the science is explained in ways much better than I could convey to someone who doesn't understand something like evolution. I also enjoyed the dual narrators. The change in voices helps to hold attention especially while performing other tasks during which your mind might wander.

Excellent!

What made the experience of listening to The Magic of Reality the most enjoyable?

All of it was excellent!

What did you like best about this story?

The information was excellent for a general review! Would be a great listen for those looking for a quick explanation!

What does Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Liked the accents.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

None

Any additional comments?

None

Dawkins is too cool for school

This should be studied in high school.
Perfect introduction to what is meant by, evolution theory

Well done basic introduction to science

This would be a good book for preteens. Easy to understand not to technical maybe a little too elementary for adults.

Wonderful

I have read three of Richard Dawkins' books, so I know what to expect and those expectations are high. This book is written for young people, clearly. But I enjoyed it very much. He doesn't talk down to them, nor does he "preach." The book simply addresses many of humankind's myths that have developed over humanity's history to explain what was at one time unexplainable. Then he explains the facts as well as how and why we know what we know about those facts.

I think the book will fascinate young people who have a decent level of curiosity about science. I think it may also speak to the adult layperson if for no other reason than that it will not only tell delightful myths from across time and across the Earth, but it places them in the context of what we know now.

Dawkins and Lalla Ward did the same excellent job with narration that they did with "The Greatest Show on Earth", his adult book about the evolution of species.

Recommend.

The Best Book of Real Magic I have seen

Would you listen to The Magic of Reality again? Why?

I have listed to it twice. The topics covered are so widespread over the body of scientific knowledge that they would peek the interest of anyone that I know. Even if a person has little or no interest in any field of science, the principles and ideas in this book are worth it just for the sense of wonder you get when you see reality again.

What about Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward ’s performance did you like?

Both Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward read well throughout the book and maintain both a very calming yet interested tone. You can at times almost feel when they are about to deliver a good point. I do like the idea of having them both read as it provides variety.

Any additional comments?

This is really a book of wonder and magic. Its finest quality comes from the idea that it does not present the magic of things you cannot see or understand, but it is the magic of things that you can see and experience. This book opens the world and I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to all children and parents.

A magical experience

Richard Dawkins creates a sense of awe and wonder of the universe that we live in, while dispelling the many myths and fairytales that have crept up over the history of humanity. The true story is far more exciting than the false myths that are perpetuated throughout societies.

The narration is outstanding and is among the most professional that I have heard. Richard and Lalla are an excellent team and a true joy to listen to.

This book covers a range of subjects such as evolution, what a rainbow is, how we know the distance to different stars and more. Several myths are examined as well, but there is no actual "magic" here. Rather, Dawkins masterfully shows how everything has a natural and rational explanation behind it.

I absolutely enjoyed this audiobook and recommend it listeners of all ages.

Appreciate the World Around You

What did you love best about The Magic of Reality?

This captures a lot of what I have always felt. People see magic behind the beauty and intricacy of everything around us. I just see the beauty of science as it helps us appreciate the existence of the universe and everything within it. Putting magic behind it can't possibly give people the same sense of appreciation as when you force the brain to think and have it come to strunning realizations. It's like living inside the matrix, which is just a smoke screen. But unlike the matrix, the world outside is much more amazing than inside. Come join me outside of the matrix :)

What did you like best about this story?

This is a book that adults and even early teenagers can really get into. It gives a great biology background and also delves into other sciences (although Dawkins discloses that biology is his real expertise). Instead of magical, you realize that the existence of the universe and everything within it is amazing and consistent with known sciences (without a need to resort to magic or pseudo-sciences).

Maybe OK as a children's book.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. There is nothing new in this book, it is very basic and simplistic. It is clearly intended for children, although I'm not sure how the patronizing narration would go over even by children. Maybe especially by children.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Didn't finish it.

What aspect of Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward ???s performance would you have changed?

A more adult style, even if the book is intended for children.

Do you think The Magic of Reality needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Perhaps a version for adults. I like the concept, but the material was just too simplistic.

Any additional comments?

I'm a great fan of Richard Dawkins. I think he's done some great stuff over the years. But this one is a miss.