The Selfish Gene
by Richard Dawkins
Genes as replicators, bodies as their vehicles, altruism explained, and the word meme coined. The most influential biology book since Darwin for general readers.
Read it if…
you want evolution's logic at the gene level.
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Skip it if…
you want Gould's pluralism.
Try instead: The Blind Watchmaker →
Three things you will actually use
- Genes are selfish; people need not be.
- Kin selection explains much.
- Memes replicate too.
Do this first
Read the chapters on the gene machine and on nice guys finishing first.
Our verdict
Dawkins's selfish gene.
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