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Nov 03, 2014JCLJoF rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I listened to this audiobook on a road trip. It passed the time quite well since it covered so much - psychology (like any good memoir - reflections on childhood and growing up), science, the life of a student in British school, family history, and all with a lovely sense of humor and insightful reflections. Richard "practically born with a pith helmet on my head" Dawkins turns out to be far more interested in theoretical biology than in running around outside. His love of reading, science, and fond (& sometimes not so fond) recollections of schoolboy days are all on charming display. So many ideas stood out to me and I'm sure will stick with me. One example: Dawkins says that linguistic evolution is a good enough metaphor for biological evolution to be both illuminating and confusing. He compares the separation of species (based on the inability to produce offspring) to the separation of languages - not with the obvious choice but rather with the moment when a speaker of one attempts to speak other and it is considered a compliment rather than an insult. Very much looking forward to the second installment of this memoir.