In An Appetite for Wonder we join him on a personal journey back to an enchanting childhood in colonial Africa. There, the exotic natural world was his constant companion. Boarding school in England at the age of eight, and, later, public school at Oundle introduced Dawkins, to strange rules and eccentric schoolmasters, vividly described with both humorous affection and some reservation. An initial fervent attachment to Church of England religion soon gives way to disaffection and, later, teenage rebellion. Early signs of a preference for music, poetry and reading over practical matters become apparent as he recalls the opportunities that entered his small world.
Oxford, however, was the catalyst to his life. Vigorous debate in the dynamic Zoology Department unleashed his innate intellectual curiosity, and inspirational mentors together with his own creative thinking ignited the spark that resulted in his radical new vision of Darwinism, The Selfish Gene.
From innocent child to charismatic world-famous scientist, Richard Dawkins paints a colourful, richly textured canvas of his early life. Honest self-reflection and witty anecdotes are interspersed with touching reminiscences of his family and friends, literature, poetry and songs. We are finally able to understand the private influences that shaped the public man who, more than anyone else in his generation, explained our own origins.
About the author
Richard Dawkins first catapulted to fame with his iconic book The Selfish Gene, which he followed with a string of bestselling books, including the phenomenal The God Delusion. Recently, he appeared in the BBC Four television series Beautiful Minds, revealing how he came to write The Selfish Gene and speaking about some of the events covered in this autobiography. He was a professor at Oxford University until 2008 and remains a fellow of New College.
In 2013, Dawkins was voted the world’s top thinker in Prospect magazine’s poll of
10,000 readers from over 100 countries, beating four Nobel Prize winners to win the top spot.
Follow Richard at Twitter @RichardDawkins
www.richarddawkins.net