The Blind Watchmaker

Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design

By: Richard Dawkins

Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward

Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The Blind Watchmaker, knowledgably narrated by author Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward, is as prescient and timely a book as ever. The watchmaker belongs to the 18th-century theologian William Paley, who argued that just as a watch is too complicated and functional to have sprung into existence by accident, so too must all living things, with their far greater complexity, be purposefully designed. Charles Darwin's brilliant discovery challenged the creationist arguments; but only Richard Dawkins could have written this elegant riposte. Natural selection - the unconscious, automatic, blind, yet essentially nonrandom process Darwin discovered - is the blind watchmaker in nature.

©1986, 1987, 1996 Richard Dawkins (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"As readable and vigorous a defense of Darwinism as has been published since 1859. ( The Economist)

"The best general account of evolution I have read in recent years." (E. O. Wilson, Professor in Entomology, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University)

“Dawkins’s explanation of the evolutionary process continues to be timely and revelatory…This dual reading is an interesting model for a scientific text. It helps to clarify and emphasize points… this is a commendable production, and an excellent primer on how evolution works.” ( AudoFile)

The Blind Watchmaker

It's a great book that proves, at least for my point of view, that Darwinism and all its variants are the most correct approach for explaining the evolution of the species.

Stick with it a few chapters

Chances are that if you're picking up this book, you already know a bit about how Natural Selection works. The first few chapters will be nothing new to you, but things get a bit meatier into Chapter 4 onwards. I guess it drops off a bit in the end with amusing characterizations of the different types of taxonomists, but the middle bit will bombard you the most interesting parts of the book's message.

Also, the trade-off between two narrators between paragraphs and quotes might start off jarring, but I think it breaks up the monotony of the subject and is super refreshing.

Not of wide appeal but very interesting

I listened to this book after Selfish Gene and it was a good follow up, but it’s a very dense listening experience.

A lengthy description of the origin of life

The concepts were laid out clearly, and personally I am convinced this is by far the best and only solution to how life has evolved into its many highly complex forms. The book, in my opinion, gives very lengthy explanations and counterarguments on trivial claims and fallacies, so either it is representing the weak versions of the arguments, or Biologists in general are not very smart.

Book of Enlightment

Richard Dawkins deserved so much credit of my curious and confused mind. He is so brilliant that this audiobook once you start listening you just can't stop. Lalla Ward is splendid as Richard Dawkins. I love listening to her voice. But of course Richard Dawkins is unparallel.He is like listening to my High School teacher in Physics who is also from England. He has this teacher or professor sounding nice and kind voice.This book was well written and carefully scripted not to offend the creationist believers.
It will go down in history as the 21st century, the Age of Enlightment. Like Charles Darwin when his Theory of Evolution was first published in 1859. I was 13 years old when I started questioning about our creator. I had few catholic missionary friends when I was 13 yo and started asking questions of our creator. I was never satisfied of their answers. They all seems to have the same answer.."Faith"...a blind faith. It took me over 40 years to realize that I should not feel guilty that there's no such thing as Intelligent Design. Finally, all these clouds in my mind are 100% clear now. There's no such thing as Intelliget Design (ID) fun intented :) Bravo to Sir Richard Dawkins!

Lacking if you already know evolutionary theory

Would you recommend The Blind Watchmaker to your friends? Why or why not?

This would be a 5-star recommendation to anyone unfamiliar with Darwin's theory of evolution, or who disbelieved in evolution entirely. However, as a biologist, I found quite a lot of the book condescending and a bit boring. I also think the section on LaMarckian theories needs updating. And I dislike the way Dawkins uses his books as a platform to scoff at people he disagrees with (or who have disagreed with him). So, read it if you know nothing about evolution and want to learn more; but give it a miss if you're already familiar with Darwinism.

A superb book, brilliant narration

Where does The Blind Watchmaker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is definitely among my favorites to listen to, ever. I have listened to it at least three times through now and it delivers something new every time. It is very well written in Richard Dawkins' distinctive style - smart, humorous, thoughtful and engaging. I can imagine Dawkins to be a superb teacher who makes his students fall in love with the subject.The narration is amazing. The best out of all the books I have ever listened to. In fact all of Dawkins' books are a true pleasure to listen - he is very passionate about his subject and knows it inside and out. Sometimes i listen to one of his books (I have bought every single one of them and they are all fantastically narrated) just because it is such a pleasure to listen to him and Lalla Ward perform it.

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

The story comes to life when narrated by Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward. I have read all of Dawkins' books and they are brilliant, but I definitely prefer to listen to him narrate, so I have bought and listened to all of the available audio versions as well. Ever since getting an audio version of a book i never went back to the paper version. That is probably because the books are written in a conversational style (which makes them so lovely to read) so to listen to an actual conversation is real fun.

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

Definitely yes, it didn't take me long to finish - and start again - it kept me up some nights

Comprehensive and clear, slightly repetetive.

While arguments are provided in a structured and convincing way, it gets somewhat repetetive. Well not even great scientists can be expected to write everything like entertaining poetry.

Dawkins can break down complex ideas sweetly

I love Dawkins writing, and the depth he chooses to go to, to explain his arguments. His use of metaphors are extremely useful to understand the rather complex ideas he proposes.

Fascinating

I loved every minute. It neatly wraps very complex ideologies in a highly palatable manner.