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)

Lived up to the hype

Very imformative, well written and performed as usual. A book for anyone interested in evolution and biology

Excellent, probably my favorite evolution book

This book so far is my favorite from Dawkins. His tone is far less assertive and arrogant than his later books, he'll often times admit when something is just his idea and that it very well could be wrong. In this one he's trying to bring more attention to the selfish gene theory, he takes a more cautious approach and tries to convince the reader this is correct and not so much that anyone who disagrees with him needs to be conquered. Also until the end his usual religious rants are completely absent and even then its only a few brief pages (I don't mind this but I know they'll completely turn off some readers).

This book helped to popularize the gene theory and introduced the concept of the meme and regardless of anyone's views of the two ideas, Dawkins influence from this book is enough to at least be a little respected. For me personally, I do think the selfish gene theory is plausible and Dawkins does present a good case, although I don't know near enough to actually have a valid opinion. In the end I really wish Dawkins would have stayed more like this, he seems to ramble more in later books and is more concerned with eradicating the world of creationists and theists than writing books for people who accept evolution and want to learn more about it. I have high hopes that The Extended Phenotype is more of the same (even if the reviews I've read seem to indicate that it will be over my head).

As for the narration, it's excellent. It's co-narrated by Dawkins and Lalla Ward and if you've listened to any of the other many books they've narrated together you'll know they always do a good job (I especially loved how the end notes where included near the text that they are related to, I wish all audio books did this). I loved this book and I'm really just hoping now Audible will get an unabridged edition of the Ancestors Tale soon.

Highly recommended.

I buy this book for dawkins

expected 90% of dawkins narrations, but it was like 70% lalah and 30% dawkins, pretty disapointed. beside of that it was peefect, learned a lot.

Good book, It makes tou wonder about life itself.

Richard Dawkins did a excellent job when wrote this book. As himself said, he perhaps, when wrote make minor mistakes. But since i didn't read the old version, this New one os excellent.
After listen to this i find myself wonder about life itself, and see genes with a very different perspective then the thaught to me back in School years.

Great book

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

I have several people that recommended reading this book. I am glad I listened to it. Great book.

Absolutely Brilliant

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really feel that I learned so much.... and can't wait for the hard copy to review it and gain more knowledge.. Thank you Richard and Lala...

Very interesting topic

To hear the words from the "horse's mouth" is a treat! I was introduced to this concept by a good friend and it definitely intrigued me. The behaviour of a gene can be similar to that of an entire human; the same actions for a successful evolution, very much an introduction for me. Would consider looking at other Authors of a similar mind-set ie. The other 3 of the 4 'Horsemen'

My genes desire your genes to survive...

so read/listen to this book so we all understand what is going on. enjoy everyone.

good stuff!

Still actual after the genetics (see CRISPR) and AI advances of today. Nice to hear the author reading his own work! 😀 well done Richard Dawkins!

Enlightening

Intro was difficult to follow, with all end notes, but got to speed, eventually. Enjoyed all parts of the book, probably was the best educational material I've "consumed" for years.