The Extended Phenotype: The Long Reach of the Gene (Popular Science)

Rating:
Summary: Great book, some questionable reviews
Review: This is science writing at its best. Dawkins goes further with his argument in favor of the gene-as-unit-of-selection to attack the traditional view of the individual as the unit of selection. Along with taking the reader on a tour through the facts and the state of research of modern evolutionary biology, this book is one of the best exhibits of writing persuasively - where persuasion falls out from the facts and theory presented, all the while being 100% intellectually honest...

Rating:
Summary: Dawkins's best book
Review: This is, by far Richard Dawkins's best book. When he wrote it, Dawkins was still a biologist. The most interesting chapters of this book are the second one and the last four.

In the chapter 2, the author corrects common misconceptions about the basic idea that genes are the unit of selection. For instance the mistaken conclusion that such point-of-view endows genes with foresight is dealt with. Another misconception that is refuted is the opinion that a single gene cannot influence complex behaviors. Also refuted is the fallacy that influencing means absolutely determining.

Chapter 11 and 12 are probably the best in the book. Chapter 11 deals with animal artifacts (like spider webs). Chapter 12 deals with the expression in the host of parasite genes. The examples in chapter 12 are very impressive and illustrate very clearly the idea that genes have effects outside the organism that carries them.

My review is based on the edition of the book that I first read, the 1989 corrected paperback edition. It was then a solid five-star recommendation. Unfortunately, the last edition is marred by the Afterword by Dennett, hence the four-star rating.



Rating:
Summary: Poor quality
Review: Very small print size, poor quality printing and mediocre paper detract. . . .