The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution
Nov 14, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Religion and Ethics, Skeptical books, Specialist Subjects
Dawkins has always had a voice in the media but more recently this has been amplified by his struggle against religious idealism. His recent documentaries also called in to question the pseudo-science and hocus-pocus involved in alternative therapy. But it’s easy to forget that Richard Dawkins is also one of the leading minds in evolutionary theory.
Many who fall in to the trap of talking about “Darwinism” as a sort of religious stand point will probably feel that “Dawkinism” is only around the corner. But the the clear and unquestionable evidence that piles up so incredible high in favour of evolutionary theory relates in no way to any religious debate. If you question evolution you may as well question Newtons laws of motion – you’re on rocky territory.
Darwin is arguably the greatest scientist of all time, in a 2005 BBC poll of scientists from around the world he came first by quite a stretch, he was also voted one of the top 5 greatest Britons. Charles Dickens lost his place on the £10 to the man and Richard Owen, the founder of the Natural History, lost pride of place in the great hall to a larger and considerably heavier statue of Darwin.
So it’s unusual to find that of all the scientists you would look to argue with the theories of this one. Even the Church of England finally admitted defeat, albeit over 120 years late officially stating that they we’re wrong to criticise his theories.
The Origin of the Species struggled throughout it’s multiple releases. Painstakingly researched at a time when sea travel was the norm, reworked 4 times and released in 1859, Darwin had no easy task. Initially he was worried about it’s release and after delays and initial worries it was finally put out without a huge fanfare. And yet despite this it has become a cornerstone of scientific understanding.
The Greatest Show on Earth is probably the only book that could ever accompany The Origin of the Species in equalled proportion. It’s fantastically well written and highly enjoyable. Simplifying such an enormous topic has I’m sure been incredibly hard, but Dawkin’s intellect and insight shines through, his writing style is upbeat and energetic but moves just at the right pace.
From it’s opening chapter about the “history deniers” to the final chapter based on The Origin of the Species itself. Every page offers insight, understanding and results in a truly simplified reworking of complex and challenging theories. And in doing so it in no way dilutes the message. It’s easy to forget that Dawkins the religious critic is also a brilliant and well spoken scientist. Consequently this is also one of the most powerful arguments against the Intelligent Design camp without falling in to the slippery slope argument by questioning the existence of supernatural beings.
Top of the Amazon, Sunday Times and countless other best seller lists if you don’t own a copy of this I thoroughly recommend it. It’s available in several versions from hardcover to audio book and I’m sure it will be reprinted and redistributed for a long time to come. I have read most of Dawkins’ books, The selfish gene is probably his most ground breaking and The God Delusion his most famous release, but now I consider The Greatest Show on Earth to quite firmly replace both of those despite only being available for a few months.
November 26th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Loved this book. I’m a very big fan of Dawkins’ work. Even though I disagree with many of his opinions and beliefs he has a brilliant way of explaining science to the lay person without making it any less factual. Highly recommended read.