Richard Dawkins's great gift is the ability to explain even the most complex scientific principles with such crystal clarity that you not only understand them, you feel as if you can see them at work before your very eyes. This is no less the case in "The Magic of Reality." His elegant prose paints pictures with words. This book, however, unlike his previous work, does not seem intended for those with much more than a layperson's understanding of science. Dawkins covers subjects ranging from genetics and evolution to physics, the big bang, and the theory of an expanding universe, and virtually any reader is likely to encounter some information in the book that's new to them, but if you are well-versed in the sciences, as much of Dawkins's audience is bound to be, you probably won't find MUCH new information. Dawkins goes to the trouble to explain what he means by a "thought experiment," for instance, leading me to believe that the book was intended for those with essentially no understanding of any of the sciences. In fact, an older child with an interest in science should be able to fully understand and enjoy everything in this book. However, even if you learn nothing new from it, if you are a fan of Dawkins, this book will not disappoint. It is a quick, light, and delightful read.

Share/Like this Review?