Post subject: Favourite Books

What are your favourite books on Evolution and Creationism that you have read?

For my part - I really enjoyed reading Dawkins' Climbing Mount Improbable for the simplicity and elegence wth which the authour conveys the essential ideas behind evolution.

On the other side, I struggle to find anything that poses an honest and substantial position. I would put forward as an example of this genre Creation by Grant Jeffery, which seems to have some convincing arguments - but some relatively simple research quickly shows how these are either misrepresentations or poor understanding.

Post subject:

My two all time favorite books on evolution are "Darwin's Dangerous Idea", by Daniel Dennett, and "The Ancestor's Tale", by Richard Dawkins.

"The Ancestor's Tale" is long, but very readable, and is so full of interesting facts that I want to read it again because I know I only retained maybe 5% of it.

"Darwin's Dangerous Idea" is one of my all time favorite books. I thought I understood evolution before I read it, but after reading it I realized just how deep an idea it really is. It's one of the very few books that really changed my outlook on life. It takes work to get through, but it's well worth it. I wish everyone would take the time to read it, and understand it.

Post subject:

I've read (audiobook) an abridged version of the ancestor's tales and vastly enjoyed it. I want to make a Dennett book the next on my read list. On your advice I'll make it Darwin's Dangerous Idea.

Thanks

Post subject: Dawkins latest book

Has anyone read Dawkins latest book, "The Greatest Show on Earth"? He wrote it to specifically address the evidence for evolution. It is a must read for anyone interested in the debate over evolution.

However, for me a more interesting book has been "The Sociopath Next Door," by Martha Stout. She has me looking for sociopaths everywhere now! The interesting part for atheists is that she presents a physical, evolutionary reason for morality-- in fact the conscience is something that most of us have, and it is a specific part of our brain that regulates our behavior and emotions. Sociopaths brains work differently, and they do not have a conscience. It is not because they are infected with demons, but because the "conscience" part of the brain does not work. Did anyone see the movie Blade Runner? It is seriously like the test for a robot-- a sociopath will not have the emotional reactions to key stimuli. They can fake real emotions very well though, which makes them dangerous. I'm sure many sociopaths pose as good God fearing Christians.

Post subject:

Welcome to the Huddle avatar!

I have read the Greatest Show on Earth and found it to be quite informative, although I had a pretty good handle on most of what was in it already.

Thanks for the recommendation on the book about sociopaths, I will definitely check it out!
_________________
Atheist Huddle
Forum Administrator