THE BLIND WATCHMAKER Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design

First published in 1986, Dawkins’s explanation of the evolutionary process continues to be timely and revelatory. The evolutionary biologist takes the arguments and examples most often cited to support intelligent design and shows how each may be explained by blind evolution. He’s an excellent writer and an excellent rhetorician, joined in this reading by Lalla Ward. The two go back and forth with the progression of ideas and the point-counterpoint of Dawkins’s arguments. This dual reading is an interesting model for a scientific text. It helps to clarify and emphasize points, an effect undercut only by the distinct British enunciation of both narrators. On the whole, though, this is a commendable production, and an excellent primer on how evolution works. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2012]