Absolutely superb

First class. Excellently written and performed. Would recommend to anyone: atheists, agnostics and religious alike, it’s a real eye opener!

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5 stars.... but....

I haven’t read a book by Richard Dawkins which I didn’t find fascinating, well written and engaging. This is no different but, if you have read the God delusion you will find this book too unilaterally in content to justify buying this book too, if you haven’t read the God delusion you’re in for a treat!

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Great ideas explained plainly

This book doesn't help you with overcome God Psychologically. Dawkins provides arguments for atheism. His arguments are well structured and brief. In many ways he is explaining in fewer words, arguments found in other of his books. However, you are encouraged to think for your self and that is the first and initial step in overcoming God or anything for that matter. He provides scientific thinking over superstition and scripture. Narration was on point and by the man himself. I really liked this brief book but since I already am an atheist, it didn't rapture my whole world view. I would however recommend this to someone that is interested in atheism.

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One of the Great Explainers of Science

At 78 Dawkins has lost none of his brilliance. Pithy, eloquent and enormously enjoyable for a layperson such as myself this book can be seen as the 'little brother' to his groundbreaking 2006 work 'The God Delusion'. More in the style of 'The Magic of Reality' this book can be listened to (and understood!) by adults and children alike and may prove especially enlightening for the latter. I must also mention how important it is for an author to read their own work and thus imbue it with their own nuance of meaning - something Dawkins has always been prepared to do. I just wish he could be persuaded (for the sake of completists like me!) to narrate the books missing from the audible catalogue such as Unweaving the Rainbow and Climbing Mount Improbable. All we have left from the equally great Carl Sagan are a few chapters from Pale Blue Dot and Dawkins' great friend Douglas Adams gave us The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul but imagine how fantastic it would been if they had narrated their entire bibliography? Please take note, Richard!

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1 person found this helpful

A true beginner's guide

I recommend this book to someone who hasn't read Dawkins' work before or is unfamiliar with his arguments on god. Otherwise, it will sound a bit too basic and a repeat from previous work, because it really is "A Beginner's Guide".
I enjoyed listening to this book with Dawkins' voice, it added a lot of Authenticity to the Audiobook. I found that the book to be well structured, easy to follow and uses simple language for everyone to read. Not much needs to be added to previous comments other than that Dawkins argument would be much more persuasive and clear if they were written/narrated without ridicule/sarcasm of the concept of god. His arguments can sound driven by frustration which may repel critical thinking by teenagers or believers.

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Beautifully written

Richard as ever, puts in an incredible amount of detail and yet as the title suggests is very approachable to all.

Lots more to be gained from this book including biological and Physics based information and indeed history.

Highly recommend anyone who has the slightest doubt to give it a try.

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What a mind and what a book!!

Richard Dawkins is a living legend of sparkling pros and eloquently worded science. This book touches on many of the subjects that he has previously discussed in his earlier books.An excellent example of how evolution and the natural world can give beautiful examples of simple rules giving way to breathe taking complexity. For me this is a perfect read, not in his usual style of dialectical prestidigitation. But worded well so everyone can enjoy the subjects and be amazed by what science has discovered.

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Fun book!

This book is so fun that I got through it in a single day. It flows much easier than the God Delusion which I still haven't finished but I will. Only downside is that chapters aren't named and audio quality could be slightly better. I hear some slight artifacts from low bitrate. That's why I gave it 4 stars overall.

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Sensible comments

I’ve been an atheist for some 62 years and a questioner for several years before. The points about indoctrination by family and society are key to ‘belief’. Synaptic plasticity (q.v) ensures that a message repeated often enough will usually create fixed Ca+ pathways in the brain, that will probably cause the brain to always take those pathways whether the message is true, such as 2+2=4, or completely false, such as the supremacy of Caucasians over others.

When synaptic pathways are set in Ca+ concrete, the brain accepts that message to be infallible and denies the possibility of any other truth. It considers any alternative to be a face-threatening act and adopts a fight-or-flight position. Hence, the ‘My god is bigger than yours’ conflicts and murders.

Dawkins argues his points well, carefully explaining terms that some readers might not understand. This book is worth reading, especially by theists, who I sincerely hope will take up the challenge and prove that any god exists.

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a short guide to god

this maybe a better title, I really liked the book, and have enjoyed the past books.

A little concerned this simplifies and rehashes old work, but I guess if there wasnt a god, there still isnt a god, so not much in new material can be introduced.

The quality of the recording seemed to be lacking, either richard dawkins had a sore throat or a lack of quality.

It did seem to improve when he got into the middle section of the book.

Overall, a great book for newcomers and the next generation to get into.

4 stars due to quality of recording and duplicated work in other books.

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