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Evidence for Evolution
“The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution”, written by Richard Dawkins, was released in South Africa in September 2009. Following the success of his previous book, “The God Delusion”, author Richard Dawkins wrote something he would rather not have had to write. While many of his previous popular-science books had assumed that readers accepted the validity of evolutionary theory, he realised that – given still-widespread disbelief and counterarguments – he now had to lay out the evidence for why evolution is true. A meta-review.
What’s it all about?
As per usual, Dawkins takes particular aim at creationists and those who espouse the theory of intelligent design, providing evidence for common descent and arguing the case for natural (and random) selection.
Over the course of 400 pages, Dawkins attempts to silence the critics of evolution once and for all. Using examples from palaeontology, zoology, molecular biology, genetics and geography, Dawkins provides countless examples pointing to the fact that evolution by natural selection can no longer be considered a theory; it is a fact.
Who is the author?
Richard Dawkins is a British biological theorist and the laureate of numerous literary and science awards. He is a widely publicised atheist and his 2006 book “The God Delusion” – which argues that beliefs based on faith qualify as a delusion – has sold over 1.5 million copies in English. “The Greatest Show on Earth” is Dawkins’s 10th book.
What do others say?
“The Greatest Show on Earth” has been heralded as a succinct, clear and unadorned description of evolutionary theory – although Dawkins would contest the use of the word "theory". His use of a crime-scene-investigation parallel in the narrative is said to be very effective at times, and on all counts he is a top-class author.
However, Dawkins received criticism for the fact that his book does not provide a new angle on the ‘fact’ of evolution. Much of the science in the book is standard and has been presented in his previous books. However, Dawkins is said to be a great translator of scientific concepts and he does offer some fresh examples.
As can be expected, his treatment of creationists received wide media coverage. The comparisons he draws between creationists and Holocaust deniers has seen much pen put to paper.
In summary, for more anti-religious ammunition, be sure to buy “The Greatest Show on Earth”. However, for a more convincing and to-the-point book on the proof for evolution, read Jerry Coyne’s “Why Evolution is True” instead.
“NewScientist”: "If 'spot the condescensions' is a new drinking game, then bottoms up! There’s one in just about every chapter. Though Dawkins says from the outset, 'This is not an anti-religious book', he can’t help but knock religion throughout… It’s as if he suffers from an anti-religious form of Tourette’s syndrome."
“The Guardian”: "Dawkins’s writing demonstrates once again his consummate skill as an explainer. He never makes assumptions about prior knowledge; when he chooses an analogy, it does actually cast light on the thing to be explained (some scientists seem to find this extraordinarily difficult); and occasionally, he coins a brilliant phrase."
ScienceBlogs.com: "While 'The Greatest Show on Earth' might fail as a work of persuasive rhetoric – Dawkins is too angry and acerbic to convince his opponents – it succeeds as an encyclopedic summary of evolutionary biology. If Charles Darwin walked into a 21st-century bookstore and wanted to know how his theory had fared, this is the book he should pick up."
How do I get hold of it?
“The Greatest Show on Earth” is published in South Africa by Transworld Publishers. It is available at Exclusive Books at a recommended retail price of R215.10.
