The Greatest Show on Earth - Preface Notes

a book by Richard Dawkins

Summary of Preface:

• ·         Evidence for evolution grows every day, yet paradoxically opposition is stronger than ever
• ·         The 'theory' of evolution is actually a fact
• ·         Dawkins briefly mentions some of his earlier books related to evolution, but thinks none of them explicitly laid out the evidence for evolution, so he wrote this book
• ·         He wrote a highly favorable review of Jerry Coyne's "Why Evolution is True"
• ·         Considered using "Only a Theory" as the title for the book, but Kenneth Miller was already using it, and settled on the Greatest Show On Earth, with Only a Theory? (emphasis on the question mark) as the title of the first chapter

Kevin's Commentary on the Preface

The canonical source for the evidence of evolution is, of course, from Charles Darwin himself, "On The Origin of Species", and yes, I've actually read it.  However, the Victorian prose makes it a difficult read for many Americans, and therefore it always helps to have modern interpretations.  Also, there has been a lot more tangible evidence discovered since the original publishing of "On The Origin of Species" (1859), and it's therefore useful to augment Darwin's original arguments.

I've only read one other Dawkins book so far, The God Delusion, but I intend to eventually read all of Dawkins works.

I've read Jerry Coyne's "Why Evolution is True" and agree with Dawkins that it is excellent.

I've read Kenneth Miller's book, "Finding Darwin's God" and have also watched various debates and lectures of him on YouTube.  His defense of evolution is superb, but as a Catholic he still ultimately, in the broadest sense, believes in a creator and accepts many aspects of the Christian faith, which is a bit of a paradox I have trouble understanding.