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)

Fascinating

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

very intense

definitely hard to concentrate on two things at once. to comprehend the book I suggest not trying to multi task. very interesting book as are all of Dawkins books.

a classic and still relevant

absolute masterpiece and still quite relevant with the rampant "history deniers" persuading school districts across the country that creationism is a science.

Bring your intellectual running shoes

Another pleasurable listen. Was more challenging than The God Delusion. I appreciate the lengths Dawkins takes to inform from all sides ( that are deemed relevant...) Fascinating depth on evolutionary theory.

I’ll be traveling back to The Selfish Gene next

Deep dive into Darwinian evolution

Interesting insight into how Richard Dawkins thinks about evolution in biology and how and why selection based evolution is the leader in his mind.

Anyone that’s skeptical should read

Anyone that is skeptical on evolution should most definitely read or listen to this book.

Evolution made clear

If you could sum up The Blind Watchmaker in three words, what would they be?

susinict, thoughtful, and comprehensive

Have you listened to any of Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, all due respect to Prof. Dawkins, Lalla is one of the best voice performers I've heard since I started using audible.

Any additional comments?

The beginning (definition bit) is slow and requires your attention but the rest is great and makes every point clear and if not "easy" at least logical to understand.

Stands the Test of Time.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Blind Watchmaker to be better than the print version?

If you have read Dawkins lastest works, you might question the point of reading one of his earlier works as I did. But Dawkins is writing in a freer less self critical way,and it makes it fun.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Natural Selection.

Have you listened to any of Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have a mixed feeling about this.

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

If you understand the subject yes. I tend to listen at 2x to 3x. This book is diffidently a 2x book.

Another excellent book by Richard Dawkins

He explains things so will with accurate analogies and detailed explanations. I can listen to this for hours because I find it oddly calming.

The Professor makes difficult easy!

If you could sum up The Blind Watchmaker in three words, what would they be?

Enjoyable, illuminating, essential

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not applicable

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

The read very well and clearly and the text is beautifully written.

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

A bit too thought provoking for one sitting, but I did not read anything else till it was finished.

Any additional comments?

Anyone unsure about the fact that IS evolution should definitely read it.