The Selfish Gene

By: Richard Dawkins

Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward

Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Richard Dawkins' brilliant reformulation of the theory of natural selection has the rare distinction of having provoked as much excitement and interest outside the scientific community as within it. His theories have helped change the whole nature of the study of social biology, and have forced thousands to rethink their beliefs about life.

In his internationally best-selling, now classic, volume, The Selfish Gene, Dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, Dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. Bees, for example, will commit suicide when they sting to protect the hive, and birds will risk their lives to warn the flock of an approaching hawk.

©1989 Richard Dawkins (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Dawkins first book, The Selfish Gene, was a smash hit.... Best of all, Dawkins laid out this biology - some of it truly subtle - in stunningly lucid prose. (It is, in my view, the best work of popular science ever written.)" (H. Allen Orr, Professor of Biology, University of Rochester, in The New York Review of Books)

Amazing

What made the experience of listening to The Selfish Gene the most enjoyable?

The Narrators did a great job of not making this sound boring by avoiding monotone voices and by switching the voice from time to time between male and female. Additionally, it is written in a way that includes humor from time to time which also makes it enjoyable.

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

I really loved the part discussing ants farming the aphids for food. Fascinating.

Lalla ward's narration is great, Dawkins not so

it would have been better if there was a way to incorporate the footnotes / new edition into the story. having dawkins read was too jarring and most of the time the new editions was there to refute older critiques, or self serving commentary by the author. I definitely preferred the original narroator. still, the overall message the book tried to convey is really good and recommend either getting the older version with just lalla ward and reading the new edition items later.

Double voices make a little bit discomfort

great voice but just two voices make the story not smooth enough. I recommend more consistent of voice. It could be first half male voice and another half female voice.

Some things are better suited for print

The book is narrated will, and structured on a sensible way, considering all the endnotes. However, the complex subject matter requires print for re-reading convoluted theories or mechanism

Rare Audiobook that's Better than the written copy

This is a world-class audiobook. This book, written back in the 70s, is narrated by Lalla but constantly "interrupted" by Richard with new findings, conflicting theories, and deeper analogies. This audio book is the equivalent of reading the book yourself, then having the luxury to discuss your takeaways with Richard over a fireside chat.

A hidden message

This book was a huge eye opener to the way society works and how to approach individuals . It talks a lot about animals, but plants, and bacteria but if you can see how it relates to how we ourselves work genetically you will have finish this book with a much greater understanding of selfishness and selflessness. A bit boring and formal but the information is non the less very wholesome food for thought. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to understand others intentions more and what kind of individual you may be facing .

An all-time Great

This is one of the best and most thought provoking books ever written. I would love to sit and listen to Dawkins all day about the intricacies of his evolutionary point of view and how it has adapted to the rapidly expanding knowledge of the late 20th and early 21st century. And in the end, I would want to thank him for his extraordinary contribution to science and the imagination of a generation.

Classic!

This is one of the best points of entry into evolutionary thinking for layman people, and a great insight into biology. Highly recommended, but don't stop there because much has happened since in the field. I'd read this followed by a most recent account of where genomics (and beyond) now stand.

If you only wish to understand how modern evolutionary biologists should think, and possibly integrate such thinking to your own, then this book is probably all you need.

Please Find a Different Reader

If you could sum up The Selfish Gene in three words, what would they be?

Informative, life lessons, and required reading for life

What other book might you compare The Selfish Gene to and why?

The Story of the Human Body

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

I would give anything for another reader to read this book. I actually had to quit listening to it, b/c I couldn't stand the tone and accent in his voice. I realize this is the actual author, but sometimes things are better off to somebody else.

It makes you want to buy the Extended phenotype

A Great book by Richard presented in an interesting and engaging manner.

I really enjoyed the explanation of evolutionarily stable strategies.