The Extended Selfish Gene

This is the '40th Anniversary' edition of the book ... but not exactly a new edition. It's a volume that actually contains the 2nd edition of the book, with revisions and the prefaces and forwards. It adds a new epilogue for this edition, as well as two chapters from a different book "The Extended Phenotype". Thus the new title "The Extended Selfish Gene". Having read the first edition 40 years ago, this re-read was somewhat nostalgic and a reminder of how controversial the original was. This was never a technical book on genetics, but an argument for an interpretation of the process of natural selection at the gene level. Many technical and popular reviewers at the time imposed some personal and wrong-headed interpretations to the meaning of the term 'selfish' gene, to which this edition is a counterargument. Perhaps the most interesting parts of the book are in fact the endnotes to each chapter, and should be read as noted when they occur. These provide more of the historical changes.Needless to say perhaps, but as the 'modern synthesis' provided a new context to Darwin's ideas when the gene was explored scientifically, the concept of the selfish gene has become even more important with the rigorous sequencing of the full genome of viruses, bacteria, higher organisms and humans, and the discovery of regulatory genetic elements.Nature continues to amaze ...

I experienced Dawkins's writing in reverse order. I had enjoyed all of his books and this was the last one that I read. This book being his first book it maybe a bit odd that I got to reading it last but it was still educational and this revised version is excellent. He includes small updates from his later works giving new depth to a game changing argument for the gene centered view of evolution by natural selection. In my biology classes having experienced so much of RD's thought on the subject before having the formal education I was able to see clearly so many things that I think would have been difficult to conceptualize. If you have never read the Selfish Gene before you will love this book at least if you love science.

Such a great book. Half of Dawkins arguments against religion sound like a 17yo that just discovered Nietzsche and can't get laid. But this book will make you love the guy regardless!!

The Selfish Gene is a classic in exploring how Darwin's theory of evolution operates deeply within living things. Even if one is not entirely comfortable with Dawkin's perspective, this work offers the opportunity to tread the fine line between highly technical insights into biological processes and a generalized paradigm of how life works at the genetic level.

Very informative bought for class but read for pleasure

Not the easiest thing to read, however, beautiful descriptions and written in a not very complex way for any average person to read.

Great book to clarify some of the concepts in evolution many people seem to misunderstand. Easy read. Well written. great infrmation.

excellent service and quality product

I read this 30 years ago, friend didn’t return it so I bought it again- yes reading again- like all good books, you get a new idea/ perspective!

Ya es un clásico. Segunda vez que lo leo. Dawkins es un genio. Este es su mejor libro sobre Biología.

Le livre The Extended Selsfish Gene, écrit par Richard Dawkins est un chef d'oeuvre et un de meilleurs livres scientifiques qu'il faut en avoir. C'est la raison pour laquelle, après avoir lu le livre en français, et avoir écouté (audiolib) en anglais, j'ai décidé d'acheter ce livre en papier (version anglaise) pour ma famille.En revanche, je suis déçu par la version reliée. Il s'agit d'une reliure collée, il est difficile de feuilleter le livre en sachant qu'il est très épais (envrion 550 pages). Pire, la couverture est de type détachable (comme dans les photos).C'est cher pour une version reliée de telle qualité. Je suis très déçu.

Amazing book.Read the following books in this order to get the complete picture:1. Selfish gene2. Extended phenotype3. Origins of virtue

This book is awesome!