Unweaving the Rainbow

The author of The Selfish Gene offers a witty and insightful assessment of what science is, how it feeds the human appetite for wonder, and how "unweaving" the mysteries of science can be even more beautiful than the mystery itself. 

The title comes from Keats, who chided Newton for spoiling the poetry of the rainbow by explaining it. This book shows that scientific truth has a poetry of its own, the poetry of reality.

CONTENTS
1 THE ANAESTHETIC OF FAMILIARITY
2 DRAWING ROOM OF DUKES
3 BARCODES IN THE STARS
4 BAR CODES ON THE AIR
5 BARCODES AT THE BAR
6 HOODWINK'D WITH FAERY FANCY
7 UNWEAVING THE UNCANNY
8 HUGE CLOUDY SYMBOLS OF A HIGH ROMANCE
9 THE SELFISH COOPERATOR
10 THE GENETIC BOOK OF THE DEAD
11 REWEAVING THE WORLD
12 THE BALLOON OF THE MIND

'The product of a beguiling and fascinating mind and one generous enough to attempt to include all willing readers in its brilliantly informed enthusiasm.' Melvyn Bragg, Observer

'A brilliant assertion of the wonder and excitement of real, tough, grown-up science.' AS Byatt, Daily Telegraph Books of the Year

'The way Dawkins writes about science is not just a brain tonic. It is more like an extended stay on a brain health-farm ... You come out feeling lean, tuned and enormously more intelligent.' John Carey, Sunday Times

'For Dawkins there is more poetry, not less, in the rainbow because of Newton... Warming to his theme, he weaves rainbows of wonder from other provinces of science ... and then unleashes his fury on those who accuse scientists lik him of being unimaginative for not believing in horoscopes, telepathy, ghosts and gods.' Matt Ridley, Sunday Telegraph

'Beautifully written and full of interesting, original ideas. Essential reading, for those who care about science.' Lewis Wolpert, The Times