An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist - Softcover

Dawkins, Charles Simonyi Professor Of The Public Understanding Of Science Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062225804 ISBN 13: 9780062225801

Publisher: Ecco Press, 2014

Synopsis

An Appetite for Wonder is a disarming account of world-famous evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins's early life, from his childhood in colonial East Africa to the writing of one of the twentieth century's seminal works, The Selfish Gene.

About this title

Review:

"The Richard Dawkins that emerges here is a far cry from the strident, abrasive caricature beloved of lazy journalists ... There is no score-settling, but a generous appreciation and admiration of the qualities of others, as well as a transparent love of life, literature - and science."--The Independent

"[An Appetite for Wonder is] a memoir that is funny and modest, absorbing and playful. Dawkins has written a marvelous love letter to science... and for this, the book will touch scientists and science-loving persons. ... an enchanting memoir to read, one that I recommend highly."--NPR

"In An Appetite for Wonder Dawkins turns his critical analysis inward to reveal how his mind works and what personal events and cultural forces most shaped his thinking. Destined to become a classic in the annals of science autobiography."--Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for Scientific American, and author of The Believing Brain and Why Darwin Matters

"Told with frankness and eloquence, warmth and humor, this is ... a truly entertaining and enlightening read and I recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of Dawkins the man and the rightful place of science in our modern world."--Lawrence Krauss, Foundation Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration, and Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University, author of A Universe from Nothing and Physics of Star Trek

"This first volume of Dawkins's autobiography ... comes to life when describing the competitive collaboration and excitement among the outstanding ethologists and zoologists at Oxford in the Seventies-which stimulated his most famous book, The Selfish Gene."--London Evening Standard

"Dawkins proves that today he is still an extraordinary thinker, and one who has made an enormous contribution to understanding human nature. This memoir is a fascinating account of one man's attempt to find answers to some of the most difficult questions posed to mankind."--NPR Books

"Surprisingly intimate and moving. ... He is here to find out what makes us tick: to cut through the nonsense to the real stuff."--The Guardian

"Dawkins' style [is] clear and elegant as usual... a personal introduction to an important thinker and populariser of science. ... provide[s] a superb background to the academic and social climate of postwar British research."--Financial Times

"Richard Dawkins is a hero of mine, so being able to read about how he became the man and the thinker he is, was a particular delight for me. ... Some people get their kicks from Superman's origin story, or Batman's origin story ... But for me, it was Richard Dawkins."--Bill Maher

"Skepticism and atheism do not arrive from revelation or authority. In our culture it's a slow thoughtful process... For the modern skeptical/atheist movement, in the beginning -- there was Dawkins and he was wicked good. Appetite for Wonder shows us this beginning."--Penn Jillette, author of God No! and Every Day is an Atheist Holiday

Book Description:

An early memoir from the world's most famous atheist, and scientist.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0062225804
• ISBN 13: 9780062225801
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320