The Selfish Gene | Richard Dawkins

The Selfish Gene

Extended Synopsis

As influential today as when it was first published, The Selfish Gene has become a classic exposition of evolutionary thought. Professor Richard Dawkins articulates a gene's-eye view of evolution—a perspective giving center stage to these persistent units of information, and in which organisms can be seen as temporary vehicles for their replication. This imaginative, powerful, and stylistically brilliant work not only brought the profound insights of Neo-Darwinism to a wide audience, but it also galvanized the biology community, generating rigorous debate and stimulating entirely new areas of scientific research.

Forty years later, its insights remain as relevant today as on the day it was published. This 40th anniversary edition brings the conversation into the modern era, featuring a new epilogue from the author discussing the continuing relevance of these ideas in evolutionary biology today, alongside the original prefaces, Robert Trivers's 1976 foreword, and extracts from early reviews.

Reader Targeting

• Students, educators, and professionals in the life sciences, evolutionary biology, and genetics.
• Readers seeking foundational texts in popular science and the application of game theory in nature.
• Anyone interested in understanding the deeply rooted mechanisms of natural selection and biological behavior.

About the Author

Richard Dawkins is a globally renowned evolutionary biologist, author, and science communicator. An emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, he has dedicated his career to articulating complex scientific paradigms with clarity and uncompromising intellectual rigor.

Accolades & Features

A million-copy international bestseller translated into over 25 languages, this volume is a proud selection of the Oxford Landmark Science series. This definitive trade paperback features 9 black-and-white structural graphs mapping evolutionary game matrices, extensive chapter-by-chapter endnote expansions, and a brand-new commemorative epilogue.

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