Richard Dawkins book cover

Richard Dawkins by Alan Grafen & Mark Ridley Summary

Richard Dawkins
Alan Grafen & Mark Ridley
3.76 (479 Reviews)
Science
Biography
Philosophy
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Richard Dawkins

Celebrating Dawkins' revolutionary "gene's eye view" of evolution, this 25-essay tribute features insights from Daniel Dennett and Philip Pullman. Even the Bishop of Oxford contributes - proving how one scientist's ideas transcended biology to reshape philosophy, religion, and culture itself.

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Key takeaways

1

When a Book Rewrites the Rules of Life Itself

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What happens when a single book fundamentally changes how millions understand their own existence? In 1976, a young Oxford zoologist published a work that would spark intellectual revolutions across biology, psychology, and philosophy. The Selfish Gene sold over a million copies, earned praise from Bill Gates as an all-time favorite, and influenced thinkers from Daniel Dennett to Steven Pinker. Its concepts seeped into everything from scientific research to Simpsons episodes. The secret wasn't just brilliant science-it was the rare ability to make complex evolutionary theory feel like a detective story where the mystery being solved was nothing less than the meaning of life itself.

2

Evolution Through the Gene's Eye

3

The Hidden War Between Partners and the Architecture of Revolutionary Ideas

4

When Ideas Become Contagious

5

The Genes We Share, The Conflicts We Face

6

Rising Above Our Origins

7

Your Genes Are Selfish - You Don't Have to Be

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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comments
254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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