Science in the Soul

Selected Writings of a Passionate Rationalist

By: Richard Dawkins

Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward, Gillian Somerscales

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The legendary biologist and bestselling author mounts a timely and passionate defense of science and clear thinking with this career-spanning collection of essays, including twenty pieces published in the United States for the first time.

For decades, Richard Dawkins has been a brilliant scientific communicator, consistently illuminating the wonders of nature and attacking faulty logic. Science in the Soul brings together forty-two essays, polemics, and paeans—all written with Dawkins’s characteristic erudition, remorseless wit, and unjaded awe of the natural world.

Though it spans three decades, this book couldn’t be more timely or more urgent. Elected officials have opened the floodgates to prejudices that have for half a century been unacceptable or at least undercover. In a passionate introduction, Dawkins calls on us to insist that reason take center stage and that gut feelings, even when they don’t represent the stirred dark waters of xenophobia, misogyny, or other blind prejudice, should stay out of the voting booth. And in the essays themselves, newly annotated by the author, he investigates a number of issues, including the importance of empirical evidence, and decries bad science, religion in the schools, and climate-change deniers.

Dawkins has equal ardor for “the sacred truth of nature” and renders here with typical virtuosity the glories and complexities of the natural world. Woven into an exploration of the vastness of geological time, for instance, is the peculiar history of the giant tortoises and the sea turtles—whose journeys between water and land tell us a deeper story about evolution. At this moment, when so many highly placed people still question the fact of evolution, Dawkins asks what Darwin would make of his own legacy—“a mixture of exhilaration and exasperation”—and celebrates science as possessing many of religion’s virtues—“explanation, consolation, and uplift”—without its detriments of superstition and prejudice.

In a world grown irrational and hostile to facts, Science in the Soul is an essential collection by an indispensable author.

Praise for Science in the Soul

“Compelling . . . rendered in gloriously spiky and opinionated prose . . . [Dawkins is] one of the great science popularizers of the last half-century.”—The Christian Science Monitor

“Dawkins is a ferocious polemicist, a defender of reason and enemy of superstition.”—John Horgan, Scientific American

Truly feel like I got to know Richard Dawkins

Great varied collection of writings with commentary between each one. This book managed to give the feeling of a continuous story rather than an eclectic gathering of different writings. I really enjoyed the book and getting to see the fervent dedication but jovial personality and theories that make up the man.

Although I'm a devout atheist myself, hours of listening still brought occasional existential dread, but I would just take a break a remember the joy in almost all of Dawkins' writing.

Dawkins worthy re read

made me go out side and absorb the Wonder of life. loved Jarvis and the unappologetic use of English colloquium.

Wide in scope - an engaging view into Dawkins

I've just finished listening for the first time. What a JOY!

Dawkins opens up a treasure-trove of thoughts, opinions and strong assertions as those of us who've followed Richard over the years have come to expect.

No one who has learned to love this man as I have during my own sojourney into the light of rationalism and science - not one such person will be disappointed by the intimacy herein warmly shared.

Richard. You have been one of my companions along with others we both know well. Your gift of your soul is received and this atheist blesses you - namasté.

Dennis A Robinson
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Very positive outlook on life!

Awesome book!! Probably a must for people who have never read Dawkins before!
A little repetitive at times but still definitely worth the time!

Great book

Great book like all that Richard writes. First class rational thinking. One of the truly great minds!!!

A must read/listen!

Both informative and entertaining! Although not required I do recommend reading or listening to the selfish gene before this book to follow along more easily.

From science, to politics to philosophy

Dawkins voice give this book another life. A well complied speech and articles from the past with present day context. From science, to politics to philosophy Dawkins has covered it all.

Marvelous collection

What a wonderful collection os essays, and speaches. Covers a broad range of sunjects. All with the classic Dawkins wit

A beautiful gift

I enjoyed this audiobook tremendously, the subject, the prose, the fact that Mr. Dawkins read part of the book himself. Thanks Richard Dawkins.

Wonderful, as always

This collection of essays are beautifully read by the author, Lala Ward, and an intellectual who supports the views of Dawkins and is a researcher herself. I love hearing his voice explain all of the research supporting natural selection and touches on the evils of religion as well.