Unweaving the Rainbow: Science,Delusion And the Appetite For Wonder (Penguin Press Science S.) - Softcover

Dawkins, Richard

4.01

11,200 ratings by Goodreads

9780140264081: Unweaving the Rainbow: Science,Delusion And the Appetite For Wonder (Penguin Press Science S.)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140264086 ISBN 13: 9780140264081

Publisher: Penguin, 1999

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Keats accused Newton of destroying the poetry of the rainbow by explaining the origin of its colours. In UNWEAVING THE RAINBOW Richard Dawkins argues that Keats could not have been more mistaken, and shows how an understanding of science enhances our wonder of the world. 'The product of a beguiling and fascinating mind' - Melvyn Bragg, Observer 'A brilliant assertion of the wonder and excitement of real, tough, grown-up science' - A.S. Byatt, Daily Telegraph Books of the Year

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Review:

Why do poets and artists so often disparage science in their work? For that matter, why does so much scientific literature compare poorly with, say, the phone book? After struggling with questions like these for years, biologist Richard Dawkins has taken a wide-ranging view of the subjects of meaning and beauty in Unweaving the Rainbow, a deeply humanistic examination of science, mysticism and human nature. Notably strong-willed in a profession of bet-hedgers and wait-and-seers, Dawkins carries the reader along on a romp through the natural and cultural worlds, determined that "science, at its best, should leave room for poetry."

Inspired by the frequently asked question, "Why do you bother getting up in the morning?" following publication of his book The Selfish Gene, Dawkins sets out determined to show that understanding nature's mechanics need not sap one's zest for life. Alternately enlightening and maddening, Unweaving the Rainbow will appeal to all thoughtful readers, whether wild-eyed technophiles or grumpy, cabin-dwelling Luddites. Excoriation of newspaper astrology columns follow quotes from Blake and Shakespeare, which are sandwiched between sparkling, easy-to-follow discussions of probability, behaviour and evolution. In Dawkins' world (and, he hopes, in ours), science is poetry; he ends his journey by referring to his title's author and subject, maintaining that "A Keats and a Newton, listening to each other, might hear the galaxies sing." --Rob Lightner, Amazon.com

Review:

A brilliant assertion of the wonder and excitement of real, tough, grown-up science (A. S. Byatt, 'Books of the Year' Daily Telegraph)

The way Dawkins writes about science is not just a brain-tonic. It is more like an extended stay on a brain health-farm ... You come out feeling lean, tuned and enormously more intelligent (John Carey Sunday Times)

Beautifully written and full of interesting, original ideas. Essential reading (The Times)

For Dawkins there is more poetry, not less, in the rainbow because of Newton ... he weaves rainbows of wonder from other provinces of science and then unleashes his fury on those who accuse scientists like him of being unimaginative (Sunday Times)

Brilliantly entertaining and stimulating (Observer)

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