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The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Nonfiction (2011)Magic takes many forms. Supernatural magic is what our ancestors used in order to explain the world before they developed the scientific method. The ancient Egyptians explained the night by suggesting the goddess Nut swallowed the sun. The Vikings believed a rainbow was the gods’ bridge to earth. The Japanese used to explain earthquakes by conjuring a gigantic catfish that carried the world on its back—earthquakes occurred each time it flipped its tail. These are magical, extraordinary tales. But there is another kind of magic, and it lies in the exhilaration of discovering the real answers to these questions. It is the magic of reality—science.
Packed with clever thought experiments, dazzling illustrations and jaw-dropping facts, The Magic of Reality explains a stunningly wide range of natural phenomena. What is stuff made of? How old is the universe? Why do the continents look like disconnected pieces of a puzzle? What causes tsunamis? Why are there so many kinds of plants and animals? Who was the first man, or woman? This is a page-turning, graphic detective story that not only mines all the sciences for its clues but primes the reader to think like a scientist as well.
Richard Dawkins, the world’s most famous evolutionary biologist and one of science education’s most passionate advocates, has spent his career elucidating the wonders of science for adult readers. But now, in a dramatic departure, he has teamed up with acclaimed artist Dave McKean and used his unrivaled explanatory powers to share the magic of science with readers of all ages. This is a treasure trove for anyone who has ever wondered how the world works. Dawkins and McKean have created an illustrated guide to the secrets of our world—and the universe beyond—that will entertain and inform for years to come.
Packed with clever thought experiments, dazzling illustrations and jaw-dropping facts, The Magic of Reality explains a stunningly wide range of natural phenomena. What is stuff made of? How old is the universe? Why do the continents look like disconnected pieces of a puzzle? What causes tsunamis? Why are there so many kinds of plants and animals? Who was the first man, or woman? This is a page-turning, graphic detective story that not only mines all the sciences for its clues but primes the reader to think like a scientist as well.
Richard Dawkins, the world’s most famous evolutionary biologist and one of science education’s most passionate advocates, has spent his career elucidating the wonders of science for adult readers. But now, in a dramatic departure, he has teamed up with acclaimed artist Dave McKean and used his unrivaled explanatory powers to share the magic of science with readers of all ages. This is a treasure trove for anyone who has ever wondered how the world works. Dawkins and McKean have created an illustrated guide to the secrets of our world—and the universe beyond—that will entertain and inform for years to come.
271 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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September 9, 2021
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True, Richard Dawkins
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True is a 2011 book by the British biologist Richard Dawkins, with illustrations by Dave McKean. The book was released on 15 September 2011 in the United Kingdom, and on 4 October 2011 in the United States.
It is a graphic science book aimed primarily at children and young adults. Dawkins has stated that the book is intended for those aged around 12 years and upwards, and that when trialling the book prior to publishing, younger readers were able to understand its content with additional adult assistance.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هجدهم ماه فوریه سال 2017میلادی
عنوان: جادوی واقعیت، چطور میدانیم چه چیزی واقعا درست است؟؛ نویسنده: ریچارد داوکینز (داکینز)؛ تصویرگر: دیو مک‌کین؛ ترجمه و تنظیم: مینا خبوشانی، ویراستار: آرش حسینیان؛ ناشر: اینترنتی، 1392؛ موضوع ناداستانها از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 21م
فهرست کتاب: یک: «واقعیت چیست؟»؛ دو: «اولین انسان چه کسی بود؟»؛ سه: «تنوع گونه های جانوری به چه دلیل است؟»؛ چهار: «چیزها از چه ساخته شده اند؟»؛ پنج: «چرا شب و روز، تابستان و زمستان داریم؟»؛ شش: «خورشید چیست؟»؛ هفت: «رنگین کمان چیست؟»؛ هشت: «چیزها چه زمانی و چگونه آغاز شدند؟»؛ نه: «آیا ما تنها هستیم؟»؛ ده: «زلزله چیست؟»؛ یازده: «چرا چیزهای بد اتفاق می‌افتند؟»؛ دوازده: «معجزه چیست»؛
برخلاف کتابهای «ساعت‌ساز نابینا»؛ و «ژن خودخواه»؛ که برای خوانشگرانِ نسبتا سطح بالا نگاشته شده، اینبار قلم «ریچارد داکینز(داوکینز)» دارای زبانی ساده است و گویا، همگان آن را میفهمند؛ ایشان اینبار تلاش می‌کنند، تا شگفتی‌های علم را بازگشایی کنند؛ «ریچارد داوکینز»، نامدارترین زیست شناس تکاملی، با همکاری «دیو مک‌کین» هنرمند برجسته ی طراحی، با به کارگیری نوشتار، و تصاویر گرافیکی، یکی از زیباترین و خواناترین کتابهای علمی عمومی را، گردآوری کرده اند؛ کتاب «جادوی واقعیت»، پاسخهایی ساده به پرسش‌هایی دشوار است؛ در این کتاب، «داوکینز» کوشش می‌کنند، با ترکیب عقلانیت و شواهد موجود، پاسخی درست به پرسشها ارائه دهند؛ مسائلی که «داوکینز» طرح می‌کنند، هم برای بزرگسالان جالب است و هم مورد علاقه ی نوجوانان است؛
در بخش نخستین: انسان چه کسی بود، نویسنده که خود از طرفداران فرگشت است، با بیانی ساده و جذاب نحوه ی فرگشت (تکامل) را شرح می‌دهند؛ یا در بخش: «خورشید چیست»، از داستان اسطوره ها آغاز می‌کنند، و نهایتا به این می‌رسند که خورشید نه یک خدا، که یک ستاره است! نکته کتاب اینجاست، که تنها به علم زیست شناسی (تخصص خود داوکینز) و فرگشت محدود نمی‌شود؛ از فیزیک تا نجوم بحث می‌شوند؛ به نوعی می‌توان گفت «ریچارد داوکینز» کوشش دارند در «جادوی واقعیت»، باورهای خرافی را از منطق علمی پاک کنند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 24/07/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 17/06/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True is a 2011 book by the British biologist Richard Dawkins, with illustrations by Dave McKean. The book was released on 15 September 2011 in the United Kingdom, and on 4 October 2011 in the United States.
It is a graphic science book aimed primarily at children and young adults. Dawkins has stated that the book is intended for those aged around 12 years and upwards, and that when trialling the book prior to publishing, younger readers were able to understand its content with additional adult assistance.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هجدهم ماه فوریه سال 2017میلادی
عنوان: جادوی واقعیت، چطور میدانیم چه چیزی واقعا درست است؟؛ نویسنده: ریچارد داوکینز (داکینز)؛ تصویرگر: دیو مک‌کین؛ ترجمه و تنظیم: مینا خبوشانی، ویراستار: آرش حسینیان؛ ناشر: اینترنتی، 1392؛ موضوع ناداستانها از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 21م
فهرست کتاب: یک: «واقعیت چیست؟»؛ دو: «اولین انسان چه کسی بود؟»؛ سه: «تنوع گونه های جانوری به چه دلیل است؟»؛ چهار: «چیزها از چه ساخته شده اند؟»؛ پنج: «چرا شب و روز، تابستان و زمستان داریم؟»؛ شش: «خورشید چیست؟»؛ هفت: «رنگین کمان چیست؟»؛ هشت: «چیزها چه زمانی و چگونه آغاز شدند؟»؛ نه: «آیا ما تنها هستیم؟»؛ ده: «زلزله چیست؟»؛ یازده: «چرا چیزهای بد اتفاق می‌افتند؟»؛ دوازده: «معجزه چیست»؛
برخلاف کتابهای «ساعت‌ساز نابینا»؛ و «ژن خودخواه»؛ که برای خوانشگرانِ نسبتا سطح بالا نگاشته شده، اینبار قلم «ریچارد داکینز(داوکینز)» دارای زبانی ساده است و گویا، همگان آن را میفهمند؛ ایشان اینبار تلاش می‌کنند، تا شگفتی‌های علم را بازگشایی کنند؛ «ریچارد داوکینز»، نامدارترین زیست شناس تکاملی، با همکاری «دیو مک‌کین» هنرمند برجسته ی طراحی، با به کارگیری نوشتار، و تصاویر گرافیکی، یکی از زیباترین و خواناترین کتابهای علمی عمومی را، گردآوری کرده اند؛ کتاب «جادوی واقعیت»، پاسخهایی ساده به پرسش‌هایی دشوار است؛ در این کتاب، «داوکینز» کوشش می‌کنند، با ترکیب عقلانیت و شواهد موجود، پاسخی درست به پرسشها ارائه دهند؛ مسائلی که «داوکینز» طرح می‌کنند، هم برای بزرگسالان جالب است و هم مورد علاقه ی نوجوانان است؛
در بخش نخستین: انسان چه کسی بود، نویسنده که خود از طرفداران فرگشت است، با بیانی ساده و جذاب نحوه ی فرگشت (تکامل) را شرح می‌دهند؛ یا در بخش: «خورشید چیست»، از داستان اسطوره ها آغاز می‌کنند، و نهایتا به این می‌رسند که خورشید نه یک خدا، که یک ستاره است! نکته کتاب اینجاست، که تنها به علم زیست شناسی (تخصص خود داوکینز) و فرگشت محدود نمی‌شود؛ از فیزیک تا نجوم بحث می‌شوند؛ به نوعی می‌توان گفت «ریچارد داوکینز» کوشش دارند در «جادوی واقعیت»، باورهای خرافی را از منطق علمی پاک کنند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 24/07/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 17/06/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
May 26, 2023
لا تقرأ لهذا الرجل فهو ملحد
و هل أقرأ له شروح فقهية أو سيرة نبوية؟ ! إنما هو العلم الذى يملكه بنو البشر بغض النظر عن الدين و الجنس و النوع و العرق.
و لكنه يبث إلحاده بين السطور و ينفى دائما وجود الإله بل و يسخر في هذا الكتاب تحديدا من المعجزات النبوية سواء التوراتية أو غيرها.
يا عزيزى ليكن في علمك ان العلماء ما بين ملحد إلحاد صريح أو ربوبى يؤمن بوجود إله لا يتدخل في شئون العالم أبدا أو متشكك لا ينفى و لا يثبت وجود الله و قليلا ما تجد منهم المؤمن ناهيك عن الموحد فإن كنت مؤمنا حقا فلن يضيرك شيئا من ذلك بإذن الله.
الكتاب يعتبر في محو الأمية العلمية و هو مقدمة علمية لمجموعة من المواضيع المتنوعة التي يمكن البناء عليها بعد ذلك بقراءة كتب كاملة عن أي موضوع يستهويك.
تربط الأسطورة بين جميع المواضيع فهو يبدأ كل فصل بالأساطير الشائعة عنه سواء كانت أساطير شعبية أو قصص دينى يتنافى مع المنطق العلمى ثم يشرح السبب العلمى بإسلوب سهل جدا و ظريف بدون تعقيد.
الأسئلة الوجودية التى تتبادر إلى أذهان الجميع عن الفرق بين العلم و الخرافة. من هو أول البشر و كيف يحدث الليل و النهار. ما هى الجاذبية و الوزن. مم تتكون الأشياء و لماذا يوجد هذا العدد الهائل من الكاىنات. عن الشمس و الزلازل و قوس قزح و كيف بدأ كل شىء و لماذا تحدث أشياء ضارة و ما المعجزة
ربما كان الكتاب يحتاج لبعض الصور التوضيحية بدلا من اللجوء للإنترنت كثيرا للبحث في نقاط معينة جاء شرحها مبهما.
الفكرة الأساسية للكتاب هي ان الواقع اشد سحرا مما نظن و لكنه سحر واقعى و علمى و يمكن فهم الكثير منه و نحن على الطريق للمزيد من الفهم و الوعى بأنفسنا و بالعالم من حولنا
December 15, 2023
عندما كنت (أي ريتشارد دوكنز) في عمر الثماني سنوات, انتقلت أسرتي للإقامة لفترة قصيرة في منزل يُطلق عليه اسم "كوكوز", يبلغ عمره نحو 400 سنة, بدعامات سوداء من الطراز المعماري التيودوري, ولم يكن مثيراً للدهشة, أن أسطورة اختصت بالمنزل حول كاهن توفي منذ زمن بعيد مخفي في ممر سري. وكانت تروّج قصة بأنك تستطيع سماع وقع أقدامه على درجات السلم, مع التواء؛ لأن السلم في أيام الشبح كان يحتوي على درجة زائدة.
وأتذكر السعادة التي كانت تغمرني وأنا أنقل القصة لأصدقاء المدرسة التي كنت بها. ولم يخطر ببالي قط أن أتساءل عن مدى صحة الدلائل. فقد كان كافياً أن المنزل قديم وأن أصدقائي كانوا في حالة انبهار.
ولقد أوضح علماء نفس الأطفال, أن الأطفال بالغي الصغر حين يسألون عن سبب أن نوعاً معينا من الصخور مدبب الرأس يستبعدون الأسباب العلمية كتفسير ويفضلون الجواب: "كي تتمكن الحيوانات من استخدامها في حك جلودها", ويبدوا أن هناك عدد من البالغين مازالوا لا يمكنهم التخلص من أنواع مماثلة للتفسير عندما نصل إلى نكبات كالزلازل, أو إلى حسن الحظ كما يحدث للمحظوظين الهاربين من الزلازل. فالزلازل والبراكين والأمراض مازال يعزوها بعض الناس إلى الآلهة الغاضبة.
والمعجزات, السحر, والأساطير باستطاعتها أن تبعث على التسلية. لكن الحقيقة تنطوي على سحر خاص بها. إن الحقيقة أكثر سحراً من أي أسطورة أو لغز مصنوع أو معجزة. للعلم سحره النابع منه: إنه سحر الواقع.
وأريد أن أبين لك أن العالم الحقيقي, طبقاً للفهم العلمي, يمتلك سحراً نابعاً من داخله. سحر شاعري, شيء ما يمنحنا قشعريرة, شيء ما يجعلنا نشعر أننا أحياء على نحو أكثر عمقاً.
انه الجمال الملهم الذي كله سحر متزايد نظراً لأنه سحر حقيقي ونستطيع أن نفهم كيفية عمله, فبجانب الجمال والسحر الحقيقيين للعالم الواقعي, إن التعاويذ الخارقة والخدع المؤدّاة في العروض تبدو رخيصة ومبتذلة. إنه ليس من الخوارق أو الخدع, إنه مدهش, مدهش وحقيقي. مدهش لأنه حقيقي.
ولهذا فالكتاب مقسّم لفصول عن أكثر الظواهر التي يساء تعليل أسبابها. وقبل شرح الأسباب العلمية, يوجد سرد للأساطير التي تفسّر هذه الظواهر لتستطيع المقارنة بنفسك.
وهناك فصل لا يسبقه أساطير. ذاك الذي يتحدّث عن الذرات, فأسلافنا قبل اختراع الميكروسكوب لم يكن بإمكانهم ملاحظتها, لهذا لا أساطير عنها. عكس الأساطير اليابانية عن الزلازل, فهي عديدة كالزلازل هناك.
والختام لفصل عن المعجزات والكيفية الأمثل للتعامل معها كما تعامل معها الاسكتلندي "ديفيد هيوم". وهناك مليون شيء يمكن لنا أن نتخيله لكنه بعيد الاحتمال عن الواقع: الجنيات والعفاريت, الجان والحيوانات الخرافية, وإن السبب الوحيد المناسب للاعتقاد في وجود شيء ما ما؛ هو الأدلة الحقيقية عليه.
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فكرّت في إنقاص نجمة من تقييم الكتاب لأنه أقرب لكتاب مبسط للغاية, حتى أنه يمكن أن يفهمه الأطفال, كما أني لدي معلومات تغطي أجزاء كبيرة من الكتاب, ولكن بدا لي من السخف أن أعاقب الكتاب لأنه لم يحتوِ على شيء ليس من المفترض أن يحتويه ولم يعدني أحد بأن أجده. الكتاب كان لغرض, وهو تبسيط لسحر الواقع, وقد أدى غرضه على أكمل وجه.
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الترجمة ممتازة؛ نقلت أسلوب ريتشارد دوكنز المميز وكأنني أسمعه في وثائقي لا أقرأ حروف قلمه.
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المحتويات:
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تحديث: للأسف لم أنتبه لوجود نسخة موضحه بالصور للكتاب إلا بعدما انتهيت من قراءة الترجمة العربية. كما أنه يوجد نسخة كاملة موضحه بالصور والفيديو وتجارب وألعاب كتطبيق للآيباد بحجم 766 ميجا وبسعر خمسة يورو, أي أرخص قليلاً من النسخة الورقية للترجمة العربية, وفي نفس ثمن النسخة الالكترونية منها.
وهذا هو موقع التطبيق http://www.magicofrealityapp.com/
ويمكنك قراءة أول 10 صفح من الترجمة العربية مجانا من هنا
September 13, 2011
A surprising number of scientists feel that Richard Dawkins does the public understanding of science real harm through his belligerent attacks on religion, which turn off a good half of his potential audience, but no one can doubt that he has a talent for getting science, particularly biology, across to a general readership. This is his first attempt at a children's book (or rather a 'family' book as it is aimed at a wider readership) and it has much to praise.
The Magic of Reality is a solid feeling hardback, half way between an ordinary non-fiction book and a coffee table book in format. Every page is illustrated by Dave McKean, with a mix of full colour photographs and diagrams, and heavily stylised line drawings - these last were perhaps a little angular and abstract for the younger audience, but overall the illustration is a good balance of supporting the text without overwhelming the page.
The approach that Dawkins takes is an excellent one, picking up on ten key questions of science - 'What is reality? Who was the first person? Why are there so many different kinds of animals? What are things made of? Why do we have night and day, winter and summer? What is the sun? What is a rainbow? When and how did everything begin? Are we alone? and What is an Earthquake?' Each of these starts with ancient mythical explanations (where there are any) then goes on to detail the way that science answers the questions, using the starting point of the basic question to explore many different aspects of science that can be sensibly linked to it.
All this works superbly well. Although it seems slightly odd that biology comes before the more fundamental physics and cosmology chapters, the absolute gem of the book (as you might expect) is the way that Dawkins handles 'Who was the first person?' His use of a stack of photographs, stretching back into the past, one of each generation, is masterful, inventive and wonderfully eye-opening. I love the way he really pushes the paradox that every creature in every generation is the same species as the previous generation's photograph - yet over the millions of years we can see a progression from fish-like creature to modern human. If ever there was a single bit of writing that could totally wipe out anyone's objections to evolution it's this chapter. I loved it. It will really challenge the readers to think and will open their eyes.
However, it's important not to let the brilliance of much of the book hide a couple of significant flaws. In terms of science content, the huge disappointment is that Dawkins doesn't mention much modern physics. Both quantum theory and relativity really don't get any coverage. Particle physics only gets a passing reference with a wimp-out about the author not really understanding quarks. This isn't good enough. Omitting quantum theory and relativity from physics is like missing evolution out of biology - it's that significant an omission.
The other problem I have is with the final two chapters. Because there aren't 10 questions, there are 12. The remaining two are 'Why do bad things happen?' and 'What is a miracle.' The first of these isn't too bad as it handles chance, but both are primarily Dawkins returning to his bugbear of attacking religion. I don't think this has a place in a science book, and it certainly shouldn't be given two chapters. I think this will confuse and quite probably bore younger readers, as after all the other wonders, these two chapters are, frankly, lacking in scientific joy. There is also one very dubious part. Dawkins suggests that readers use a method of assessing miracles that boils down to 'How do they stand up to common sense?' The trouble with this approach is much of modern physics doesn't fit with what common sense predicts. For that matter, most probability runs counter to common sense. As Dawkins himself points out, common sense expects that after a row of throwing heads, a coin is more likely to throw tails - but common sense gets it wrong. It seems highly spurious to use common sense as a scientific tool, when you've just shown it fails magnificently.
I still think this is a great book, and I suspect many young readers will simply not bother with the last couple of chapters. Covering all of science is tricky, but despite the failings in physics, the rest of the book is good enough to make this, without doubt, one of the best children's science books of 2011.
(Review originally posted on www.popularscience.co.uk - reproduced with permission)
The Magic of Reality is a solid feeling hardback, half way between an ordinary non-fiction book and a coffee table book in format. Every page is illustrated by Dave McKean, with a mix of full colour photographs and diagrams, and heavily stylised line drawings - these last were perhaps a little angular and abstract for the younger audience, but overall the illustration is a good balance of supporting the text without overwhelming the page.
The approach that Dawkins takes is an excellent one, picking up on ten key questions of science - 'What is reality? Who was the first person? Why are there so many different kinds of animals? What are things made of? Why do we have night and day, winter and summer? What is the sun? What is a rainbow? When and how did everything begin? Are we alone? and What is an Earthquake?' Each of these starts with ancient mythical explanations (where there are any) then goes on to detail the way that science answers the questions, using the starting point of the basic question to explore many different aspects of science that can be sensibly linked to it.
All this works superbly well. Although it seems slightly odd that biology comes before the more fundamental physics and cosmology chapters, the absolute gem of the book (as you might expect) is the way that Dawkins handles 'Who was the first person?' His use of a stack of photographs, stretching back into the past, one of each generation, is masterful, inventive and wonderfully eye-opening. I love the way he really pushes the paradox that every creature in every generation is the same species as the previous generation's photograph - yet over the millions of years we can see a progression from fish-like creature to modern human. If ever there was a single bit of writing that could totally wipe out anyone's objections to evolution it's this chapter. I loved it. It will really challenge the readers to think and will open their eyes.
However, it's important not to let the brilliance of much of the book hide a couple of significant flaws. In terms of science content, the huge disappointment is that Dawkins doesn't mention much modern physics. Both quantum theory and relativity really don't get any coverage. Particle physics only gets a passing reference with a wimp-out about the author not really understanding quarks. This isn't good enough. Omitting quantum theory and relativity from physics is like missing evolution out of biology - it's that significant an omission.
The other problem I have is with the final two chapters. Because there aren't 10 questions, there are 12. The remaining two are 'Why do bad things happen?' and 'What is a miracle.' The first of these isn't too bad as it handles chance, but both are primarily Dawkins returning to his bugbear of attacking religion. I don't think this has a place in a science book, and it certainly shouldn't be given two chapters. I think this will confuse and quite probably bore younger readers, as after all the other wonders, these two chapters are, frankly, lacking in scientific joy. There is also one very dubious part. Dawkins suggests that readers use a method of assessing miracles that boils down to 'How do they stand up to common sense?' The trouble with this approach is much of modern physics doesn't fit with what common sense predicts. For that matter, most probability runs counter to common sense. As Dawkins himself points out, common sense expects that after a row of throwing heads, a coin is more likely to throw tails - but common sense gets it wrong. It seems highly spurious to use common sense as a scientific tool, when you've just shown it fails magnificently.
I still think this is a great book, and I suspect many young readers will simply not bother with the last couple of chapters. Covering all of science is tricky, but despite the failings in physics, the rest of the book is good enough to make this, without doubt, one of the best children's science books of 2011.
(Review originally posted on www.popularscience.co.uk - reproduced with permission)
March 30, 2017
To be sure, I need to be clear as to WHY I like this book. It's not like any of the science or reasoning in it is new or unusual, or that I haven't heard many similar reasonings here or there all the way from high school physics courses all the way to certain and strange movies I've enjoyed.
Why I do love this book is simple: it's clear, concise, and it does a very admirable job of setting up magical thinking in all its flavors against the fundamentals of science.
It's a great primer. I think I would have loved reading this when I was 13 or 14. It might have even sparked my interest in science even more than I had been sparked... but that might not be possible. Science Fiction did a perfectly admirable job in that department, with Heinlein and Asimov as my tutors.
Even so, apart from the things I've heard about of Dawkins, this is relatively mild in the religion bashing. He uses logic and reasoning, postulating clearly and setting up the universe as it is, not as we wish it would be. He also makes sure that Occam's Razor is quite sharp.
I certainly have no complaints about this book, assuming I wanted a basic primer, of course.
As for being an adult reading this? It's charming. It's somewhat magical in the sense that I draw a sense of wonder about the universe and our living within it. For that alone I would recommend it as a bit of light reading, assuming you're up to your science snuff. :)
Why I do love this book is simple: it's clear, concise, and it does a very admirable job of setting up magical thinking in all its flavors against the fundamentals of science.
It's a great primer. I think I would have loved reading this when I was 13 or 14. It might have even sparked my interest in science even more than I had been sparked... but that might not be possible. Science Fiction did a perfectly admirable job in that department, with Heinlein and Asimov as my tutors.
Even so, apart from the things I've heard about of Dawkins, this is relatively mild in the religion bashing. He uses logic and reasoning, postulating clearly and setting up the universe as it is, not as we wish it would be. He also makes sure that Occam's Razor is quite sharp.
I certainly have no complaints about this book, assuming I wanted a basic primer, of course.
As for being an adult reading this? It's charming. It's somewhat magical in the sense that I draw a sense of wonder about the universe and our living within it. For that alone I would recommend it as a bit of light reading, assuming you're up to your science snuff. :)
June 23, 2018
يضع دوكنز إجابة مناسبة للسؤال الذي سمعته كثيرًا: ما فائدة القراءة في العلوم ومعرفة أشياء لن تفيدنا في مجرى حياتنا؟
لا يقوم دوكنز بتخصيص الوقت للرد على هذا السؤال، لكن في حديثه عن الواقع وسحره نجد الإجابة الصالحة للرد.
كلمة السحر يُراد بها غالبًا نوعين من الأحداث، الحدث الذي يعتمد على خفة اليد أو الخدع البصرية، أو الحدث الجمالي الذي يجعلنا نقف منه مشدوهين. المراد بالسحر هنا هو الحقيقة المذهلة التي تقف خلف تفسير الواقع ومعرفة دقائق الأمور الغامضة بإخضاع الأحداث للملاحظات العلمية الدقيقة.
لا أتفق أن ما يقدمه العلم هو التفسير الصحيح مطلقًا، لكنه في الغالب هو التفسير الأكثر منطقية، وهذا يجعلنا مواجهة تفسير آخر بجوار التفسير الديني والتفسير الفلسفي.
في هذا الكتاب يقوم دوكنز بعرض تاريخ مبسط للكثير من الأمور العلمية، طريقة عرض دوكنز جذابة، وفكرة تحدثه أولا عن الأساطير والتفسيرات الدينية قبل أن يتناول الموضوع بشكل علمي هي فكرة عظيمة.
بعد أن ينتهي في الفصل الأول من تفسير معنى الواقع ومعنى السحر يبدأ بعدها في تناول الأمور من البداية، من كان الإنسان الأول؟ في هذا الفصل ومايليه: لماذا يوجد عدد بالغ الكثرة من الحيوانات المختلفة؟ يتحدث باختصار وتكثيف عن التطور وأصل الإنسان والأمور الذي مر بها لكي يصل إلى هذه المرحلة، وهكذا التحدث عن الحيوانات وفكرة تشارك الجينات التي تجعل من المستحيل أن تتشارك كل الحيوانات جيناتها، مع نظرة سريعة غير مخلة يعرض دوكنز لمحات سريعة من التطور الذي هو شاغله بوصفه عالم بيولوجيا.
ثم يتدرج في تفسير الأمور بالتدريج الآتي حسب عنواين الفصول: مم تتكون الأشياء؟ لماذا الليل والنهار، الشتاء والصيف؟ ما الشمس؟ ما قوس قزح؟ متى وكيف بدأ كل شيء؟ هل نحن بمفردنا؟ ما الزلزال؟ لماذا تحدث أشياء ضارة؟ ما المعجزة؟.. يقع كل سؤال من هؤلاء في فصل حيث يستعرض دوكنز النظرات الأسطورية ثم يلحقها بالنظرات العلمية في تفسير هذه الظواهر، فيتنقل ما بين الذرة وما تتكون منه وصولًا للكواركات ومساهماتها في نشاة الكون، وفكرة وجود الليل والنهار والشتاء والصيف ووصف العمليات الكونية التي تفسر هذه الظاهرة، ثم يتوسع في النظر لمكونات الكون ومجراته ونجومه والحديث عن الشمس بصفة خاصة، ثم عرض نظرية نيوتن في تحليل الضوء إلى ألوانه الذي يتكون منها وهي ألوان قوس قزح، فيفسر ظاهرة قوس قزح وأهميتها في اكتشاف بعد النجوم عنها وحصائصها، ثم الأنفجار العظيم وتبعاته، وفكرة أن يكون هناك مخلوقات غيرنا في الكون ووجود هذه الاحتمالية وتحليل الشروط التي يجب أن تتوفر لأن يظن العلماء بأن علي هذا للكوكب حياة، ثم تفسير الزلازل والرجوع إلى أصلها النابع من باطن الأرض وما يحدث فيها من عمليات تفسر تكوين القارات وتباعدها على مدار ملايين السنين، وتناوله لفكرة وقوع الأشياء الضارة والعوامل السببية التي تجعل الناس يظنون في هذا، وفي النهاية يختتم بتناوله لفكرة المعجزة وتحليلها بشكل منطقي بالاعتماد علي نظرة هيوم للمعجزة وتحيليله لها.
هذا الكتاب من أكثر الكتب إمتاعًا وسهولة في التناول، يتنقل فيه دوكنز ما بين الأحداث الكونية واضعًا تفسيرات العلم لهذه الظواهر مع تبسيطها وعرضها بطريقة خفيفة وجذابة.
أعتقد أن هذا الكتاب هو أفضل وأسهل بداية لمن يريد أن ينظر نظرة سريعة للعلم وما يطرحه من تفسيرات.
لا يقوم دوكنز بتخصيص الوقت للرد على هذا السؤال، لكن في حديثه عن الواقع وسحره نجد الإجابة الصالحة للرد.
كلمة السحر يُراد بها غالبًا نوعين من الأحداث، الحدث الذي يعتمد على خفة اليد أو الخدع البصرية، أو الحدث الجمالي الذي يجعلنا نقف منه مشدوهين. المراد بالسحر هنا هو الحقيقة المذهلة التي تقف خلف تفسير الواقع ومعرفة دقائق الأمور الغامضة بإخضاع الأحداث للملاحظات العلمية الدقيقة.
لا أتفق أن ما يقدمه العلم هو التفسير الصحيح مطلقًا، لكنه في الغالب هو التفسير الأكثر منطقية، وهذا يجعلنا مواجهة تفسير آخر بجوار التفسير الديني والتفسير الفلسفي.
في هذا الكتاب يقوم دوكنز بعرض تاريخ مبسط للكثير من الأمور العلمية، طريقة عرض دوكنز جذابة، وفكرة تحدثه أولا عن الأساطير والتفسيرات الدينية قبل أن يتناول الموضوع بشكل علمي هي فكرة عظيمة.
بعد أن ينتهي في الفصل الأول من تفسير معنى الواقع ومعنى السحر يبدأ بعدها في تناول الأمور من البداية، من كان الإنسان الأول؟ في هذا الفصل ومايليه: لماذا يوجد عدد بالغ الكثرة من الحيوانات المختلفة؟ يتحدث باختصار وتكثيف عن التطور وأصل الإنسان والأمور الذي مر بها لكي يصل إلى هذه المرحلة، وهكذا التحدث عن الحيوانات وفكرة تشارك الجينات التي تجعل من المستحيل أن تتشارك كل الحيوانات جيناتها، مع نظرة سريعة غير مخلة يعرض دوكنز لمحات سريعة من التطور الذي هو شاغله بوصفه عالم بيولوجيا.
ثم يتدرج في تفسير الأمور بالتدريج الآتي حسب عنواين الفصول: مم تتكون الأشياء؟ لماذا الليل والنهار، الشتاء والصيف؟ ما الشمس؟ ما قوس قزح؟ متى وكيف بدأ كل شيء؟ هل نحن بمفردنا؟ ما الزلزال؟ لماذا تحدث أشياء ضارة؟ ما المعجزة؟.. يقع كل سؤال من هؤلاء في فصل حيث يستعرض دوكنز النظرات الأسطورية ثم يلحقها بالنظرات العلمية في تفسير هذه الظواهر، فيتنقل ما بين الذرة وما تتكون منه وصولًا للكواركات ومساهماتها في نشاة الكون، وفكرة وجود الليل والنهار والشتاء والصيف ووصف العمليات الكونية التي تفسر هذه الظاهرة، ثم يتوسع في النظر لمكونات الكون ومجراته ونجومه والحديث عن الشمس بصفة خاصة، ثم عرض نظرية نيوتن في تحليل الضوء إلى ألوانه الذي يتكون منها وهي ألوان قوس قزح، فيفسر ظاهرة قوس قزح وأهميتها في اكتشاف بعد النجوم عنها وحصائصها، ثم الأنفجار العظيم وتبعاته، وفكرة أن يكون هناك مخلوقات غيرنا في الكون ووجود هذه الاحتمالية وتحليل الشروط التي يجب أن تتوفر لأن يظن العلماء بأن علي هذا للكوكب حياة، ثم تفسير الزلازل والرجوع إلى أصلها النابع من باطن الأرض وما يحدث فيها من عمليات تفسر تكوين القارات وتباعدها على مدار ملايين السنين، وتناوله لفكرة وقوع الأشياء الضارة والعوامل السببية التي تجعل الناس يظنون في هذا، وفي النهاية يختتم بتناوله لفكرة المعجزة وتحليلها بشكل منطقي بالاعتماد علي نظرة هيوم للمعجزة وتحيليله لها.
هذا الكتاب من أكثر الكتب إمتاعًا وسهولة في التناول، يتنقل فيه دوكنز ما بين الأحداث الكونية واضعًا تفسيرات العلم لهذه الظواهر مع تبسيطها وعرضها بطريقة خفيفة وجذابة.
أعتقد أن هذا الكتاب هو أفضل وأسهل بداية لمن يريد أن ينظر نظرة سريعة للعلم وما يطرحه من تفسيرات.
May 20, 2015
I am still sizzling with delight over my latest Dawkins' read - having soaked up its information like a hungry sponge. It leaves the reader totally awed and dazzled with the world. I’m humming with it. The birds (plump with protons and neurons, atoms and molecules) are singing louder than ever in the garden, and that amazingly mysterious and wonderful star that we call the sun, (roaring away converting hydrogen to helium), shines even more brilliantly in the blue sky as we make a sedate path round it's circumference, twirling round and round on our axis at a giddy rate of 1000 miles per hour. Thank goodness for the stickiness of gravity, and Mother Earth's determination to keep us clasped to her bosom.
Ahhhhh ...this book has made me so happy. At last, a book giving a fantastic overview of science that I can easily understand. I obviously have the science age of a 12 year old (the age group that everyone says the book is geared towards....)
Something is wrong in my lauding of this book though. Dawkins wouldn’t like it. The term "Mother Earth" smacks of anthropomorphism, and he ain’t having any of it. In fact a good fifth of the book is dedicated to the recounting of various myths from around the world – including what he considers the Christian myth - and at the end of every segment on myths Dawkins goes on to show how science is better. Much much better than myth.
In fact I mentioned I was reading this book to a neighbour, and he said “Yeah, Dawkins – that’s the guy who keeps banging on against God.” To have a scientist and communicator of the calibre of Dawkins referred to in those terms is I think terrible, but he has bought it upon himself. He just cannot live and let live.
In fact I have changed my mind about what I said in the above paragraph... I have since read the Wikipedia article on Creationism (see the paragraphs headed "Creationism internationally").
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creationism
Given the large number of people who support the idea of Creationism - it is very good that Dawkins is arguing against it..... But I still don't like a lot of his other criticisms and quips against religion.
Taken from Richard Dawkins.net.
Anyway, to get back to the science. This book is a.m.a.z.i.n.g. I learnt tons, and loved every minute of reading it. The chapters have headings which speak for themselves…and also illustrate well the age group Dawkins is appealing to.
*Who was the first person?
*Why are there so many different kinds of animals?
*What are things made of?
*Why do we have night and day, winter and summer?
*What is the sun?
*What is a rainbow?
*When and how did everything begin?
*Are we alone?
*What is an earthquake?
There isn’t one single diagram in the book. He does it all with words - but he is an incredibly brilliant writer, and it is utterly memorable and fascinating. Time and time again he wrote about things that I'd previously only half understood, and made them crystal clear. I feel hugely grateful to him. Highly recommended.
Ahhhhh ...this book has made me so happy. At last, a book giving a fantastic overview of science that I can easily understand. I obviously have the science age of a 12 year old (the age group that everyone says the book is geared towards....)
Something is wrong in my lauding of this book though. Dawkins wouldn’t like it. The term "Mother Earth" smacks of anthropomorphism, and he ain’t having any of it. In fact a good fifth of the book is dedicated to the recounting of various myths from around the world – including what he considers the Christian myth - and at the end of every segment on myths Dawkins goes on to show how science is better. Much much better than myth.
In fact I mentioned I was reading this book to a neighbour, and he said “Yeah, Dawkins – that’s the guy who keeps banging on against God.” To have a scientist and communicator of the calibre of Dawkins referred to in those terms is I think terrible, but he has bought it upon himself. He just cannot live and let live.
In fact I have changed my mind about what I said in the above paragraph... I have since read the Wikipedia article on Creationism (see the paragraphs headed "Creationism internationally").
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creationism
Given the large number of people who support the idea of Creationism - it is very good that Dawkins is arguing against it..... But I still don't like a lot of his other criticisms and quips against religion.
Taken from Richard Dawkins.net.
Anyway, to get back to the science. This book is a.m.a.z.i.n.g. I learnt tons, and loved every minute of reading it. The chapters have headings which speak for themselves…and also illustrate well the age group Dawkins is appealing to.
*Who was the first person?
*Why are there so many different kinds of animals?
*What are things made of?
*Why do we have night and day, winter and summer?
*What is the sun?
*What is a rainbow?
*When and how did everything begin?
*Are we alone?
*What is an earthquake?
There isn’t one single diagram in the book. He does it all with words - but he is an incredibly brilliant writer, and it is utterly memorable and fascinating. Time and time again he wrote about things that I'd previously only half understood, and made them crystal clear. I feel hugely grateful to him. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2016
اگر چندان اهل تماشایِ مستندهای گوناگون در رابطه با چگونگی شکل گیریِ جهانِ پیرامونِ خودتان نیستید... و بهتر میدانید که با خواندنِ کتاب پی به این رازِ بزرگ ببرید... دوستانِ گرانقدر، من این کتاب را برایِ شروع پیشنهاد میکنم... توضیحاتِ کامل و بی نقص همراه با تصاویرِ دیدنی
البته همگی با چگونگیِ شکل گیریِ دنیا در قرآن و تورات و انجیل، آشنا شده ایم!!.. این کتاب را نیز بخوانید، بد نیست.. تفاوت هایِ جزیی با گفته هایِ پیامبران دارد.. به بزرگیِ خودتان ببخشید... مثلاً در این کتاب نگفته است که انسان از خاک و آب دهان درست شده و از سوراخِ بینی روح در بدنش دمیده اند... یک خورده فقط یکخورده علمی تر بیان شده... یا نگفته زن و همان حوا از دندۀ سمت چپِ آدم خلق شده است... یا عمر این دنیارا 6000 سال بیان نکرده.. میلیون ها سال میداند... البته پیامبران درست گفتناااااا... ولی باز تأکید میکنم شما به بزرگی خودتان جناب پروفسور <داوکینز> را ببخشید... کافری که صبح تا شب در حال محاربه با خدا باشد که انتظاری از وی نمیتوان داشت... پدر جان چیکار داری مردم را آگاه کنی؟ بگذارید بر باورهایِ خرافیِ خود پایبند باشند و در آرامشِ خیالی خود به سر ببرند... بگذارید فکر کنند یعقوب تا صبح با خدا کشتی گرفت و درخواست برکت کرد... یا موسی در صحرا می دوید و خدا دنبالش بود که چرا شومبولت را ختنه نکرده ای!!.... یا رسولِ بتِ الله اکبر، قدم بر چشم فرشتگان نهاد و سوار بر براق، آن یابویِ سفید بالدار، لطف کردند تا آسمان هفتم رفتند بالا و به صدرة المنتها رسیدند ( مهم نیست کجاست) ... آقای داوکینزِ کافر و بیسواد... تو نمیدانی فرشته ها قطراتِ باران را به روی دوش میگیرند و می آورند به پایین؟ آمدی و در مورد هیدرولوژی و چرخۀ حیات توضیح میدهی؟ برای شما متأسفم پروفسور... به شما هم میگویند دانشمند؟ دانشمند یعنی جعفر صادق، که هنوز هم نمیدانیم از کجا سواد خواندن و نوشتن در آن انزوا و گوشه نشینی آموخت و چه کتابِ مهمی برایِ انسانها بر جای گذاشت و به غیر از چپاولِ پول مردمِ بیچاره و دعا کردن آنها برایِ آنکه به بهشت بروند چه کرده است!!! بله، به او میگویند دانشمند و یا به علی ابن موسی رضا، که انقدر با مأمون همپیکِ خود مست میکرده که رویِ پایش بند نبوده است، چه برسد به آنکه قلم در دست بگیرد و در مورد علم و دانش بنویسد
پروفسور، آن خطِ وسطِ ماه را میدانید که چیست!؟؟ رسولِ اللهِ اکبر، یک شب یک هویی طالب شدند و به منظور تفریح و اثباتِ قدرتِ ماوراییِ خود، ماه را دو نیم کرده و به اصطلاحاً شق القمر فرمودند، که لطف عالی مستدام، ولی همۀ مورخانِ بزرگِ دنیا با ایشون چون موجوداتِ بیابانی و چندش آور را میخوردند، بد بودند و کسی در موردِ این رویدادِ بزرگ در تاریخ جهان صحبتی نکرده است... آقای <داوکینز> شما با این همه ادعا نمیدانید خدا اول شب و روز را آفرید.. بعد ماه و خورشید را ۳ روز بعد یکهویی خلق کرده است... بعد تازه خوششان امد که به به چه چیزی خلق کرده ام... روز قیامت شمارو میبینم آقای < داوکینز> که در حال ورود به آتش جهنم هستید، آنهم در حالی که کتاب هایتان آتش گرفته و بر رویِ دوشتان است.. ولی ما سفارش شده ایم... میرویم در بهشت شراب میخوریم.. یه طرفمان غلمان ها ( پسرایِ ناز و سفید که از 16 سال پیرتر نمیشن و همیشه راضی به سکسِ مقعدی هستن و باستنشون از شرق تا غرب هست) نشسته اند... یک طرفمان نیز پورن استارا هایِ بهشتی و حوری ها نشسته اند... حالا شما هی کفر بگویید... البته یک روز شما نیز واردِ این فاحشه خانهٔ بهشتی می شوید... ولی یک مهر داغ شده بر رویِ پیشونیتان خورده است... دلیلش را نمیدانم.. واقعاً چرا مهرِ داغ !!! چرا؟! شاید برایِ آنکه حوری ها و غلمان به شما پا ندهند ... نگران نباش پروفسور.. برای هر کدام از ما مسلمانهایِ معتقد به خرافات،حداقل ۷۰ هزار حوری در نظر گرفته شده است، خودم چند هزارتا به شما قرض میدهم
ریچاردِ عزیز، زحمت کشیدی برایِ این کتاب.. ولی خواهشاً قرآن و کتاب آفرینش را مسخره و تحریف نکنید که این کتاب سرشار از مسائل به روز شده و مطابقِ پیشرفتِ دانشِ بشری است
دوستان خردمندِ من.. جدا از شوخی، این کتاب بسیار مفید است
درود بر < ریچارد داوکینز> این بزرگمردِ خردمند و اندیشمند
< پیروز باشید و ایرانی>
البته همگی با چگونگیِ شکل گیریِ دنیا در قرآن و تورات و انجیل، آشنا شده ایم!!.. این کتاب را نیز بخوانید، بد نیست.. تفاوت هایِ جزیی با گفته هایِ پیامبران دارد.. به بزرگیِ خودتان ببخشید... مثلاً در این کتاب نگفته است که انسان از خاک و آب دهان درست شده و از سوراخِ بینی روح در بدنش دمیده اند... یک خورده فقط یکخورده علمی تر بیان شده... یا نگفته زن و همان حوا از دندۀ سمت چپِ آدم خلق شده است... یا عمر این دنیارا 6000 سال بیان نکرده.. میلیون ها سال میداند... البته پیامبران درست گفتناااااا... ولی باز تأکید میکنم شما به بزرگی خودتان جناب پروفسور <داوکینز> را ببخشید... کافری که صبح تا شب در حال محاربه با خدا باشد که انتظاری از وی نمیتوان داشت... پدر جان چیکار داری مردم را آگاه کنی؟ بگذارید بر باورهایِ خرافیِ خود پایبند باشند و در آرامشِ خیالی خود به سر ببرند... بگذارید فکر کنند یعقوب تا صبح با خدا کشتی گرفت و درخواست برکت کرد... یا موسی در صحرا می دوید و خدا دنبالش بود که چرا شومبولت را ختنه نکرده ای!!.... یا رسولِ بتِ الله اکبر، قدم بر چشم فرشتگان نهاد و سوار بر براق، آن یابویِ سفید بالدار، لطف کردند تا آسمان هفتم رفتند بالا و به صدرة المنتها رسیدند ( مهم نیست کجاست) ... آقای داوکینزِ کافر و بیسواد... تو نمیدانی فرشته ها قطراتِ باران را به روی دوش میگیرند و می آورند به پایین؟ آمدی و در مورد هیدرولوژی و چرخۀ حیات توضیح میدهی؟ برای شما متأسفم پروفسور... به شما هم میگویند دانشمند؟ دانشمند یعنی جعفر صادق، که هنوز هم نمیدانیم از کجا سواد خواندن و نوشتن در آن انزوا و گوشه نشینی آموخت و چه کتابِ مهمی برایِ انسانها بر جای گذاشت و به غیر از چپاولِ پول مردمِ بیچاره و دعا کردن آنها برایِ آنکه به بهشت بروند چه کرده است!!! بله، به او میگویند دانشمند و یا به علی ابن موسی رضا، که انقدر با مأمون همپیکِ خود مست میکرده که رویِ پایش بند نبوده است، چه برسد به آنکه قلم در دست بگیرد و در مورد علم و دانش بنویسد
پروفسور، آن خطِ وسطِ ماه را میدانید که چیست!؟؟ رسولِ اللهِ اکبر، یک شب یک هویی طالب شدند و به منظور تفریح و اثباتِ قدرتِ ماوراییِ خود، ماه را دو نیم کرده و به اصطلاحاً شق القمر فرمودند، که لطف عالی مستدام، ولی همۀ مورخانِ بزرگِ دنیا با ایشون چون موجوداتِ بیابانی و چندش آور را میخوردند، بد بودند و کسی در موردِ این رویدادِ بزرگ در تاریخ جهان صحبتی نکرده است... آقای <داوکینز> شما با این همه ادعا نمیدانید خدا اول شب و روز را آفرید.. بعد ماه و خورشید را ۳ روز بعد یکهویی خلق کرده است... بعد تازه خوششان امد که به به چه چیزی خلق کرده ام... روز قیامت شمارو میبینم آقای < داوکینز> که در حال ورود به آتش جهنم هستید، آنهم در حالی که کتاب هایتان آتش گرفته و بر رویِ دوشتان است.. ولی ما سفارش شده ایم... میرویم در بهشت شراب میخوریم.. یه طرفمان غلمان ها ( پسرایِ ناز و سفید که از 16 سال پیرتر نمیشن و همیشه راضی به سکسِ مقعدی هستن و باستنشون از شرق تا غرب هست) نشسته اند... یک طرفمان نیز پورن استارا هایِ بهشتی و حوری ها نشسته اند... حالا شما هی کفر بگویید... البته یک روز شما نیز واردِ این فاحشه خانهٔ بهشتی می شوید... ولی یک مهر داغ شده بر رویِ پیشونیتان خورده است... دلیلش را نمیدانم.. واقعاً چرا مهرِ داغ !!! چرا؟! شاید برایِ آنکه حوری ها و غلمان به شما پا ندهند ... نگران نباش پروفسور.. برای هر کدام از ما مسلمانهایِ معتقد به خرافات،حداقل ۷۰ هزار حوری در نظر گرفته شده است، خودم چند هزارتا به شما قرض میدهم
ریچاردِ عزیز، زحمت کشیدی برایِ این کتاب.. ولی خواهشاً قرآن و کتاب آفرینش را مسخره و تحریف نکنید که این کتاب سرشار از مسائل به روز شده و مطابقِ پیشرفتِ دانشِ بشری است
دوستان خردمندِ من.. جدا از شوخی، این کتاب بسیار مفید است
درود بر < ریچارد داوکینز> این بزرگمردِ خردمند و اندیشمند
< پیروز باشید و ایرانی>
October 12, 2011
I live in the United States in the 21st century. There is no greater danger to our species and our civilization right now than religious crazies. How can we ask our businesses to change the way they do business so as to prevent climate change if half of the country doesn't believe in scientific evidence? Or worse yet, if they expect a big bearded man to come down and bail us out if things get too bad?
What about the people who believe that the world will end, in the next few years, with a war in the Middle East? What if their faith leads them to believe we should go to war to make this come about?
Yes, these are scary people and there are a lot of them.
I'd like to think that Mr. Dawkins had these people in mind when he wrote this book. It may be too late for the current generation who have turned their minds off and handed over their rational thought in exchange for "faith." But perhaps the next generation can be saved in time, and with their help we CAN actually do the work necessary to make the world a better place?
From that perspective, this is an important and incredible book. It is a blow struck for logic over foolishness.
But all the way through, I did find myself having mixed feelings. I don't think Mr. Dawkins really understands the purpose of the old myths and legends. The distinction between fairy tales and mythology seems to be missing from his understanding. When the old stories about the "gods" and nature of reality were written, they were neither meant to be "just so stories" nor were all of them intended to take the place of science. While he chooses to use the myths throughout his book to make his own book more entertaining, he clearly looks down on them and shows no consciousness that there is a deeper level of meaning to be found in mythology: the realm of the psychological. I would suggest he sit down and re-read his Joseph Campbell. The mythological creation of the world, the end of the world, the nature of mythological reality was never meant to be science. It was often meant to represent the internal journey of mankind.
On page 202 he writes, "We don't have to invent wildly implausible stories: we have the joy and excitement of real scientific investigation and discovery to keep our imaginations in line. And in the end that is more exciting than fantasy." Why do we need to keep our imaginations in line? Can't we mature to the point at which we are able to partake in scientific investigation on Mondays and mythological investigation on Wednesdays? Can't we be trusted to learn the difference and keep them apart?
Science cannot help us with questions of existence. It will never help us with "How ought I act?" or "What meaning can I find in my life?" "What happens after we die?" "How can I find happiness?" But perhaps the ancient knowledge, allied with philosophy, can be of some use with these (more important) problems?
There are snide remarks here and there aimed at Astrology, aliens, and such. He may be right about many of them, but the attacks lack any logical depth.
Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to any and all children of the right reading level, but I would also want to talk to that child as they were reading it. Maybe take them for a walk in the woods and teach them about talking to the trees. There certainly is more in the world we actually experience than is dreamnt of in Mr. Dawkins' science.
Dave McKean, as always, is a master. His artwork is well worth the price of the book all by itself. He gets 16 stars.
What about the people who believe that the world will end, in the next few years, with a war in the Middle East? What if their faith leads them to believe we should go to war to make this come about?
Yes, these are scary people and there are a lot of them.
I'd like to think that Mr. Dawkins had these people in mind when he wrote this book. It may be too late for the current generation who have turned their minds off and handed over their rational thought in exchange for "faith." But perhaps the next generation can be saved in time, and with their help we CAN actually do the work necessary to make the world a better place?
From that perspective, this is an important and incredible book. It is a blow struck for logic over foolishness.
But all the way through, I did find myself having mixed feelings. I don't think Mr. Dawkins really understands the purpose of the old myths and legends. The distinction between fairy tales and mythology seems to be missing from his understanding. When the old stories about the "gods" and nature of reality were written, they were neither meant to be "just so stories" nor were all of them intended to take the place of science. While he chooses to use the myths throughout his book to make his own book more entertaining, he clearly looks down on them and shows no consciousness that there is a deeper level of meaning to be found in mythology: the realm of the psychological. I would suggest he sit down and re-read his Joseph Campbell. The mythological creation of the world, the end of the world, the nature of mythological reality was never meant to be science. It was often meant to represent the internal journey of mankind.
On page 202 he writes, "We don't have to invent wildly implausible stories: we have the joy and excitement of real scientific investigation and discovery to keep our imaginations in line. And in the end that is more exciting than fantasy." Why do we need to keep our imaginations in line? Can't we mature to the point at which we are able to partake in scientific investigation on Mondays and mythological investigation on Wednesdays? Can't we be trusted to learn the difference and keep them apart?
Science cannot help us with questions of existence. It will never help us with "How ought I act?" or "What meaning can I find in my life?" "What happens after we die?" "How can I find happiness?" But perhaps the ancient knowledge, allied with philosophy, can be of some use with these (more important) problems?
There are snide remarks here and there aimed at Astrology, aliens, and such. He may be right about many of them, but the attacks lack any logical depth.
Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to any and all children of the right reading level, but I would also want to talk to that child as they were reading it. Maybe take them for a walk in the woods and teach them about talking to the trees. There certainly is more in the world we actually experience than is dreamnt of in Mr. Dawkins' science.
Dave McKean, as always, is a master. His artwork is well worth the price of the book all by itself. He gets 16 stars.
September 16, 2012
I'm a big fan of Dawkins ever since reading The Selfish Gene many many years ago. However, I was very disppointed in this book, which is so basic that it shouldn't contain surprises for anyone who graduated from high school. There were no surprises and nothing really new - the most interesting part for me was how each chapter is introduced with an example of a myth that people have made up to explain some natural phenomenon, which the rest of the chapter then explains. I found the majority of it plodding, basic, and disappointing.
HOWEVER ... on looking over some of the other reviews on Goodreads, I see several people saying this book is intended for younger readers. There was nothing at all in the book's description on Audible that indicated this. However, if that's the case then it's a good, clear, basic introduction for a kid around 8-12 years old. On that basis I'll give it 3 stars. As an adult book, which was my expectation of it, it was very basic stuff and came across rather condescending quite a lot of the time. Marks against the publisher for not making the intended audience extremely clear in the summary.
HOWEVER ... on looking over some of the other reviews on Goodreads, I see several people saying this book is intended for younger readers. There was nothing at all in the book's description on Audible that indicated this. However, if that's the case then it's a good, clear, basic introduction for a kid around 8-12 years old. On that basis I'll give it 3 stars. As an adult book, which was my expectation of it, it was very basic stuff and came across rather condescending quite a lot of the time. Marks against the publisher for not making the intended audience extremely clear in the summary.
March 29, 2021
Written for younger readers, ‘The Magic of Reality’ is a superb, easy to understand introduction to science and the scientific method. Dawkins puts biology, geology and astronomy in terms that anyone can understand, while simultaneously infusing every syllable with a sense of wonder and awe. His passion for science, all science, is downright contagious - making this an ideal book for that budding astrophysicist or anthropologist in the family (or that scientifically illiterate relation who still swears by astrology or dianetics or Oral Roberts).
June 30, 2019
As a wee child - no, I'm not Scottish, I just like how 'wee' sounds - I was introverted and could rarely feel at ease while playing with other children.
Unfortunately that was a problem because, being human, I also didn't enjoy being left out of activities. All that changed when I discovered the magic of reading books - no, I didn't turn into a robot from the Dungeon Dimensions.
Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't a hermit and got my periodic dose of socialization - yup, sounds cringeworthy - it's just that I felt more at ease with a book because I could travel to new worlds, identify with heroes and villains, see with my mind's eye fictitious or real wonders - yup, way more entertaining than the games children usually play.
While in secondary school I started with reading folk and fairy tales and at some point got to a book whose title would be loosely translated as The Legends of the Olympus.
I liked it a lot and started wondering about truth, gods, superpowers and religions - you know, as all children do at some point.
So I started asking questions and the more answers I received, being born in a country where more than 80% are orthodox, the more I was convinced that one of the best ways someone could get closer to the Truth and be able to better understand the world around us would be to become a priest.
Being a respectable goal to pursue, my mother and grandparents, although none were regular churchgoers, encouraged me to do so. So I picked up a Bible and started reading it, only to discover it was full of metaphors and words that as a child I couldn't understand - so I got bored and put it down, nonetheless retaining my faith in a higher power.
Years passed by and after the 8th grade national exam I got in at a very good high-school in my small town, in a class with a STEM specialization focusing on Information Technology and Mathematics.
I was the odd duck from the class who excelled at English - foreign language - and Romanian - the national language of the country I was born in.
I wrote poems depicting my teenage angst and some short prose - speaking of which, I'm sure I'd get a good laugh if I'd discover my 'writings'.
I still liked to read but my reading habits, as far as I can remember, just exited the era of Jules Verne's works and gravitated towards books like Oliver Twist, White Fang, Robinson Crusoe and so on.
But my reading habits were about to change due to a totally unexpected factor: my new girlfriend. We were classmates and she was a rare combo: one of the smartest and cutest - the best, if you're perchance reading this review (she liked to argue a lot).
She was way better than me in STEM but I had the edge in humanities.
She introduced me to J. K. Rowling, Frank Herbert, Carl Sagan and more.
I really looked up to her.
So when she told me she was an atheist and I told her I was a believer, well, the two hormonal teenage universes clashed and although I can't exactly remember, there is about a 100% chance we had an expletive filled fight about it.
But with all our differences we cared about each other and continued being together for a few years.
More than her looks and academic smarts I appreciated the books we shared and her astuteness in conversation.
We talked about anything and everything debating pros and cons. It didn't matter if the subject was asinine or something crucially important like 'would someone after being subjected to teleportation be the same person or merely a clone of the original?'
She pushed me out of my comfort zone, stretched my mind and I loved her for it.
But belief was a touchy subject. Although I went to church only at special occasions throughout the year, I considered myself a believer.
But I also considered myself a smart person who liked to read and ask questions to better understand the Universe.
But what if those questions started to elicit uncomfortable emotions?
Which identity would prevail then?
Questions like:
"Why is there more than one religion?"
"How can you tell that you believe in the right one?"
"Wouldn't the time of your existence in history, the place you were born in and/or your parents influence your choice of religion more than your free will?"
"If there is a God then why are bad things happening to good people?" and so on.
Had it been out then, this book would have been the perfect gift for me.
In fact, if I could travel back in time I'd gift it to my secondary school self - though I'm sure he would only partially understand it - then travel a bit forward and hand it to my high school self.
Be a kind person and gift this book to people who are curious and like to ask questions.
I had to realize on my own through reading books, having interesting conversations and just plain living, that people are creatures of habit, that we act more on an emotional than logical basis, that there are a throng of cognitive biases which continuously incapacitate our decision making and obstruct our evolution. And make no mistake, changing one's mind is strictly a personal journey.
But should we tolerate our faults by recognizing our limitations we can make tremendous progress and see the beauty of the Universe not through n interpretations of unchanging ancient texts but through the lens of the only incrementally self actualizing instrument: science.
Jesus, this turned out to be a bit personal.
Unfortunately that was a problem because, being human, I also didn't enjoy being left out of activities. All that changed when I discovered the magic of reading books - no, I didn't turn into a robot from the Dungeon Dimensions.
Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't a hermit and got my periodic dose of socialization - yup, sounds cringeworthy - it's just that I felt more at ease with a book because I could travel to new worlds, identify with heroes and villains, see with my mind's eye fictitious or real wonders - yup, way more entertaining than the games children usually play.
While in secondary school I started with reading folk and fairy tales and at some point got to a book whose title would be loosely translated as The Legends of the Olympus.
I liked it a lot and started wondering about truth, gods, superpowers and religions - you know, as all children do at some point.
So I started asking questions and the more answers I received, being born in a country where more than 80% are orthodox, the more I was convinced that one of the best ways someone could get closer to the Truth and be able to better understand the world around us would be to become a priest.
Being a respectable goal to pursue, my mother and grandparents, although none were regular churchgoers, encouraged me to do so. So I picked up a Bible and started reading it, only to discover it was full of metaphors and words that as a child I couldn't understand - so I got bored and put it down, nonetheless retaining my faith in a higher power.
Years passed by and after the 8th grade national exam I got in at a very good high-school in my small town, in a class with a STEM specialization focusing on Information Technology and Mathematics.
I was the odd duck from the class who excelled at English - foreign language - and Romanian - the national language of the country I was born in.
I wrote poems depicting my teenage angst and some short prose - speaking of which, I'm sure I'd get a good laugh if I'd discover my 'writings'.
I still liked to read but my reading habits, as far as I can remember, just exited the era of Jules Verne's works and gravitated towards books like Oliver Twist, White Fang, Robinson Crusoe and so on.
But my reading habits were about to change due to a totally unexpected factor: my new girlfriend. We were classmates and she was a rare combo: one of the smartest and cutest - the best, if you're perchance reading this review (she liked to argue a lot).
She was way better than me in STEM but I had the edge in humanities.
She introduced me to J. K. Rowling, Frank Herbert, Carl Sagan and more.
I really looked up to her.
So when she told me she was an atheist and I told her I was a believer, well, the two hormonal teenage universes clashed and although I can't exactly remember, there is about a 100% chance we had an expletive filled fight about it.
But with all our differences we cared about each other and continued being together for a few years.
More than her looks and academic smarts I appreciated the books we shared and her astuteness in conversation.
We talked about anything and everything debating pros and cons. It didn't matter if the subject was asinine or something crucially important like 'would someone after being subjected to teleportation be the same person or merely a clone of the original?'
She pushed me out of my comfort zone, stretched my mind and I loved her for it.
But belief was a touchy subject. Although I went to church only at special occasions throughout the year, I considered myself a believer.
But I also considered myself a smart person who liked to read and ask questions to better understand the Universe.
But what if those questions started to elicit uncomfortable emotions?
Which identity would prevail then?
Questions like:
"Why is there more than one religion?"
"How can you tell that you believe in the right one?"
"Wouldn't the time of your existence in history, the place you were born in and/or your parents influence your choice of religion more than your free will?"
"If there is a God then why are bad things happening to good people?" and so on.
Had it been out then, this book would have been the perfect gift for me.
In fact, if I could travel back in time I'd gift it to my secondary school self - though I'm sure he would only partially understand it - then travel a bit forward and hand it to my high school self.
Be a kind person and gift this book to people who are curious and like to ask questions.
I had to realize on my own through reading books, having interesting conversations and just plain living, that people are creatures of habit, that we act more on an emotional than logical basis, that there are a throng of cognitive biases which continuously incapacitate our decision making and obstruct our evolution. And make no mistake, changing one's mind is strictly a personal journey.
But should we tolerate our faults by recognizing our limitations we can make tremendous progress and see the beauty of the Universe not through n interpretations of unchanging ancient texts but through the lens of the only incrementally self actualizing instrument: science.
Jesus, this turned out to be a bit personal.
March 25, 2015
يتحدث ريتشارد دوكنز في هذا الكتاب الذي أنتهى منه في عام 2011 عن بعض الظواهر الطبيعية والطبية والكونية وكيفية حدوثها وماذا كانت تعتقد الأمم القديمة عنها قبل أن يأتي العلم الحديث بتفسير لها، الكتاب شيق وممتع وترجمة عدنان الشهاوي كانت متقنة ورائعة لدرجة تشعر بها بأن لغة الكتاب الأصلية هي العربية لولا الخطأ الذي وقع فيه المترجم عندما نقل أن سقراط هو أول من فكر بالذرة بينما الصحيح "كما ورد أيضًا في النسخة الإنجليزية من الكتاب" هو أن ديموقريطوس من فكر بذلك
December 25, 2022
In this book, you'll find out why you can't turn a frog into a prince (in detail) through magic-- wan's magic, but you can turn a fish into a prince through reality's magic-- Evolution by Natural Selection
This book is structured in a way that it asks Humanities' oldest questions: why earthquakes happen? What is a Rainbow? And then starts by giving mythical explanations from different cultures, like according to one African myth an earthquake happens when a giant holding the Earth puts it down to hug his wife (who is holding the heaven).
Finally, it ends the chapter by introducing the scientific answer, and the real reason for earthquakes: the Tectonic Plates Theory. To say the least, the way it's structured is genius: it builds up your curiosity continuously form the start of the chapter so by the time you reach the real answer you're quite excited to know. It makes you the more appreciate the science we have now-- seeing what the poor bastards of the past had, and the alternative to the scientific answer, and the alternative to the scientific answer is not really that attractive, to say the least.
Most of the time I read this book right after work while mentally and physically drained. Nonetheless, it's so well and clearly written I enjoyed and understood it all the same, mostly.
My only 2023 resolution is to read all of Dawkins' stuff.
This book is structured in a way that it asks Humanities' oldest questions: why earthquakes happen? What is a Rainbow? And then starts by giving mythical explanations from different cultures, like according to one African myth an earthquake happens when a giant holding the Earth puts it down to hug his wife (who is holding the heaven).
Finally, it ends the chapter by introducing the scientific answer, and the real reason for earthquakes: the Tectonic Plates Theory. To say the least, the way it's structured is genius: it builds up your curiosity continuously form the start of the chapter so by the time you reach the real answer you're quite excited to know. It makes you the more appreciate the science we have now-- seeing what the poor bastards of the past had, and the alternative to the scientific answer, and the alternative to the scientific answer is not really that attractive, to say the least.
Most of the time I read this book right after work while mentally and physically drained. Nonetheless, it's so well and clearly written I enjoyed and understood it all the same, mostly.
My only 2023 resolution is to read all of Dawkins' stuff.
February 12, 2016
انا قارئة مبتدئة لذا لا تضحكوا ان قلت لكم اني ترددت كثيرا قبل قراءة هذا الكتاب ريتشارد دوكنز ملحد ماذا ساستفيد من هذا النوع من الكتب لكن فضولي تغلب في نهاية الامر و رغم ذلك حملت معي سلاحي و قررت اذا لم يعجبني ما يقوله سوف اتوقف لكن المفاجاة اني وجدت الكتاب جد جد جد ممتع من الكتب العلمية القليلة التي استمتعت بقرائتها حتى الان خاصة النسخة الانجليزية مرفقة بصور توضيحية تشبه كتب الاطفال و خجلت من نفسي لماذا حكمت على الكتاب قبل قرائته فقط لاني لا اتفق مع افكار الكاتب من ماذا خفت انا اعرف ان قدراتي العقلية لا تسمح لي بفهم كلام العلماء لذا كتبهم لا تؤثر في حقا محتوى الكتاب يعكس عنوانه سحر الواقع لذا انصح من يريد قرائته ان يتعامل مع الكتاب على اساس انه كتاب علمي بحث ساعيد قرائته عما قريب و هذه المرة بدون احكام مسبقة
August 18, 2017
این کتاب کوتاه و مصور ، نظریه فرگشت (یا تکامل) را به زبانی ساده توضیح می دهد
نظریه فرگشت یک نظریه علمی در مورد تحولات عالم جانداران است . بر اساس گفته های این کتاب ، انسان ها و تمامی پستاندارانی که در حال حاضر بر روی زمین زندگی می کنند یک جد مشترک در 185 میلیون سال قبل داشته اند که گونه ی خاصی از آبزیان و در واقع یک ماهی بوده است
نظریه فرگشت یک نظریه علمی در مورد تحولات عالم جانداران است . بر اساس گفته های این کتاب ، انسان ها و تمامی پستاندارانی که در حال حاضر بر روی زمین زندگی می کنند یک جد مشترک در 185 میلیون سال قبل داشته اند که گونه ی خاصی از آبزیان و در واقع یک ماهی بوده است
September 5, 2017
خمس نجمات لا تكفي
واحد من اهم الكتب العلمية التي قراءتها بل هو الاهم
تبسيط النظريات العلمية بطريقة رائعة
ودحض الخرافات بأسلوب مقنع
واحد من اهم الكتب العلمية التي قراءتها بل هو الاهم
تبسيط النظريات العلمية بطريقة رائعة
ودحض الخرافات بأسلوب مقنع
February 9, 2022
Магията на реалността е навсякъде около ни: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/m...
Разпалването на детското въображение е лесно – но да се насочи по смислен път далеч не толкова, човечеството е измислило безброй фалшиви идеи, с които да си обясни реалността, но често те се оказват по-силни от нея и остават вкоренени в съзнанието. Хилядолетия наред митовете са създавали пъстър илюзорен свят, населен с причудливи свръхестествени съзнания, и тези приказки са все така залегнали дълбоко в нашата култура и имат своите агресивни поддръжници. Но Докинс и Маккийн правят нужното както да им отдадат почит – митовете са проявление на нашата творческа природа, – така и да идат отвъд тях и да покажат, че в научното обяснение на света, което има предимството да бъде доказуемо, има също толкова магия, но от различен тип.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/m...
Разпалването на детското въображение е лесно – но да се насочи по смислен път далеч не толкова, човечеството е измислило безброй фалшиви идеи, с които да си обясни реалността, но често те се оказват по-силни от нея и остават вкоренени в съзнанието. Хилядолетия наред митовете са създавали пъстър илюзорен свят, населен с причудливи свръхестествени съзнания, и тези приказки са все така залегнали дълбоко в нашата култура и имат своите агресивни поддръжници. Но Докинс и Маккийн правят нужното както да им отдадат почит – митовете са проявление на нашата творческа природа, – така и да идат отвъд тях и да покажат, че в научното обяснение на света, което има предимството да бъде доказуемо, има също толкова магия, но от различен тип.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/m...
August 27, 2020
4.5 ⭐
I already read too much fiction this month, so i would try with some academic book. This book is so good. Dawkins made it quite fun, most parts of this book aren’t boring at all. The way he narrated this book is really humble, he isn’t patronized us the reader, and he admitted that he still didn’t understand some part and somehow made himself equal to the reader (of course he isn’t).
However, i found a few other parts of the book is a little bit boring. Like the atom part, the explanation is quite long.
I found many interesting information in this book like how to measure time in fossils with radioactive clocks using uranium-238, sun and it’s mythology, and also the question i’ve always wanted to know : who is the first person on earth? And the idea that auto immune disease could be a weapon to fight cancer is really fascinating.
This book ends with my favorite chapter about several miracles and the possibility that really happened at that time. Well done, Dawkins. I would totally read all of your books.
I already read too much fiction this month, so i would try with some academic book. This book is so good. Dawkins made it quite fun, most parts of this book aren’t boring at all. The way he narrated this book is really humble, he isn’t patronized us the reader, and he admitted that he still didn’t understand some part and somehow made himself equal to the reader (of course he isn’t).
However, i found a few other parts of the book is a little bit boring. Like the atom part, the explanation is quite long.
I found many interesting information in this book like how to measure time in fossils with radioactive clocks using uranium-238, sun and it’s mythology, and also the question i’ve always wanted to know : who is the first person on earth? And the idea that auto immune disease could be a weapon to fight cancer is really fascinating.
This book ends with my favorite chapter about several miracles and the possibility that really happened at that time. Well done, Dawkins. I would totally read all of your books.
April 13, 2017
এসএসসি, এইচএসসি'র ছাত্রছাত্রী এবং নন-সায়েন্স ব্যাকগ্রাউন্ড নিয়ে লেখাপড়া করেছেন যারা তাদের জন্য অসাধারণ (৫ তারা দেয়ার মতো) এক বই। তবে সায়েন্স ব্যাকগ্রাউন্ড যাদের, তারা নতুন কিছু জানার আশায় পড়তে বসলে হতাশ হবেন (অন্তত আম��র ক্ষেত্রে তা-ই হয়েছে)। অবশ্য বইটা লেখাই হয়েছে শিশু-কিশোরদের জন্য---তারা যেন বিজ্ঞানের সৌন্দর্যের প্রতি আকৃষ্ট করার জন্য গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কিছু টপিক নিয়ে কথা বলেছেন লেখক, সহজ ভাষায়।
মোট ১২টি অধ্যায়ে বিভক্ত বইটি। বারোটি অধ্যায়ের নামগুলো উল্লেখ করলেই এ-বইয়ের আলোচনার বিষয়বস্তুগুলো মোটামুটি পরিষ্কার হয়ে যাবে। অধ্যায়গুলোর নাম পর্যায়ক্রমে নিচে দিয়ে দিলাম। সাথে ব্র্যাকেটে প্রতিটা অধ্যায়ের উল্লেখযোগ্য টপিকগুলোর নামও (যেক্ষেত্রে প্রযোজ্য) দিয়ে দিলাম---
**অধ্যায় ১-- বাস্তবতা কী? জাদু কী?(বিজ্ঞান ও অলৌকিকতা; বিবর্তনের ধীর জাদু)।
**অধ্যায় ২-- আদিতম পূর্বপুরুষ
**অধ্যায় ৩-- প্রাণের এত বৈচিত্র্য কেন আছে? (শ্রেণীবিন্যাস; কীভাবে ভাষা ও প্রজাতি আলাদা হয়; প্রজাতির উৎপত্তিতে বিচ্ছিন্নতার শক্তি; মিশ্রণ, নির্বাচন ও টিকে থাকা)
**অধ্যায় ৪-- সবকিছু কী দিয়ে তৈরি? (কীভাবে অণু-পরমাণু চলাচল করে; প্রাণের গঠনে কার্বনের অনবদ্য ভূমিকা)
**অধ্যায় ৫-- রাত আর দিন কেন আছে? শীতের পর গ্রীষ্ম কেন আসে?
**অধ্যায় ৬-- সূর্য তুমি কে? (সূর্য আসলেই কী; নক্ষত্রের প্রক্রিয়া; নক্ষত্রের জীবনকাহিনী; সুপারনোভা ও নক্ষত্রের সন্তান; গ্রহাণু এবং উল্কাপাত; জীবন টিকিয়ে রাখতে আলো)
**অধ্যায় ৭-- রঙধনু কী? (আলো কী দিয়ে তৈরি; বৃষ্টির ফোঁটা কীভাবে রঙধনু তৈরি করে)
**অধ্যায় ৮-- কখন এবং কীভাবে সবকিছুর শুরু হয়েছিল? (বিগ ব্যাংয়ের শুরুর দিকে)
**অধ্যায় ৯-- আমরা কি একা? (বহির্বিশ্বে কি আসলেই প্রাণ আছে?; গোল্ডিলকের খোঁজে)
**অধ্যায়<১০-- ভূমিকম্প কী? (মহাদেশ কীভাবে চলাচল করে; তাপের প্রভাবে চলাচল)
**অধ্যায় ১১-- অশুভ ঘটনা কেন ঘটে (ভাগ্য সম্ভাবনা ও ঘটনা ঘটার কারণ; পলিয়ানা ও প্যারানয়া)
**অধ্যায় ১২-- অলৌকিক ঘটনা আসলে কী (আজকের অলৌকিকতা আগামীর প্রযুক্তি)
বইটার আকর্ষণীয় একটা দিক হচ্ছে, প্রতিটা অধ্যায়ের শুরুতে সেই অধ্যায়ের টপিকগুলো নিয়ে প্রচলিত মিথগুলোর কথা বলেছেন সংক্ষেপে।
চমৎকার অনুবাদের জন্য অনুবাদককে ধন্যবাদ না দিলে অন্যায় হয়ে যাবে। এমনিতেই আমাদের দেশে ভালো অনুবাদের আকাল। ভালো অনুবাদকরা আবার ভালো বই অনুবাদও করেন না। তাই, ভালো ভালো ননফিকশনগুলো বাংলা ভাষাভাষী পাঠকদের বিরাট একটা অংশের কাছে অপরিচিতই থেকে যাচ্ছে। সেই জায়গায় একেবারেই তরুণ অনুবাদক সিরাজাম মুনির শ্রাবণের প্রথম অনুবাদ বই-ই ননফিকশন দিয়ে অনুবাদ জীবন শুরু করাটা রীতিমতো দুঃসাহসিক এক কাজ। তাছাড়া তিনি যে ন��তান্তই শখের বসে অনুবাদ করে কোনরকমে যা-তা একটা বই পাঠকদের হাতে তুলে দিতে দিতে লেখালেখিতে আসেননি---এসেছেন দায়িত্ববোধ এবং নিদারুণ ভালোবাসা থেকে, তা বইটা হাতে নিলেই স্পষ্ট হয়ে ফুটে উঠে। অনুবাদকের পরিশ্রম ও নিবেদনের ছাপ স্পষ্টভাবে প্রতীয়মান প্রতিটি অধ্যায়ে, প্রতিটি ছত্রে। চমৎকার সাবলীল ভাষায় ননফিকশনের মতো আপাতদৃষ্টিতে শুকনো জিনিসের অনুবাদ করেছেন তিনি অত্যন্ত যত্নে। অনুবাদককে ধন্যবাদ। আশা করি, ভবিষ্যতে আরও দারুণ দারুণ এবং অসাধারণ ননফিকশনের অনুবাদ পাব তার কাছ থেকে। আশা করি, বাংলা ভাষায় ভালো মানের অনুবাদ ননফিকশনের যে অপ্রতুলতা রয়েছে, তা কাটিয়ে উঠতে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অবদান রাখবেন তিনি।
'দ্য ম্যাজিক অব রিয়্যালিটি' মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিক পর্যায়ের শিক্ষার্থী এবং নন-সায়েন্স ব্যাকগ্রাউন্ডের শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য ভীষণ উপকারী এক বই বলেই আমার বিশ্বাস।
মোট ১২টি অধ্যায়ে বিভক্ত বইটি। বারোটি অধ্যায়ের নামগুলো উল্লেখ করলেই এ-বইয়ের আলোচনার বিষয়বস্তুগুলো মোটামুটি পরিষ্কার হয়ে যাবে। অধ্যায়গুলোর নাম পর্যায়ক্রমে নিচে দিয়ে দিলাম। সাথে ব্র্যাকেটে প্রতিটা অধ্যায়ের উল্লেখযোগ্য টপিকগুলোর নামও (যেক্ষেত্রে প্রযোজ্য) দিয়ে দিলাম---
**অধ্যায় ১-- বাস্তবতা কী? জাদু কী?(বিজ্ঞান ও অলৌকিকতা; বিবর্তনের ধীর জাদু)।
**অধ্যায় ২-- আদিতম পূর্বপুরুষ
**অধ্যায় ৩-- প্রাণের এত বৈচিত্র্য কেন আছে? (শ্রেণীবিন্যাস; কীভাবে ভাষা ও প্রজাতি আলাদা হয়; প্রজাতির উৎপত্তিতে বিচ্ছিন্নতার শক্তি; মিশ্রণ, নির্বাচন ও টিকে থাকা)
**অধ্যায় ৪-- সবকিছু কী দিয়ে তৈরি? (কীভাবে অণু-পরমাণু চলাচল করে; প্রাণের গঠনে কার্বনের অনবদ্য ভূমিকা)
**অধ্যায় ৫-- রাত আর দিন কেন আছে? শীতের পর গ্রীষ্ম কেন আসে?
**অধ্যায় ৬-- সূর্য তুমি কে? (সূর্য আসলেই কী; নক্ষত্রের প্রক্রিয়া; নক্ষত্রের জীবনকাহিনী; সুপারনোভা ও নক্ষত্রের সন্তান; গ্রহাণু এবং উল্কাপাত; জীবন টিকিয়ে রাখতে আলো)
**অধ্যায় ৭-- রঙধনু কী? (আলো কী দিয়ে তৈরি; বৃষ্টির ফোঁটা কীভাবে রঙধনু তৈরি করে)
**অধ্যায় ৮-- কখন এবং কীভাবে সবকিছুর শুরু হয়েছিল? (বিগ ব্যাংয়ের শুরুর দিকে)
**অধ্যায় ৯-- আমরা কি একা? (বহির্বিশ্বে কি আসলেই প্রাণ আছে?; গোল্ডিলকের খোঁজে)
**অধ্যায়<১০-- ভূমিকম্প কী? (মহাদেশ কীভাবে চলাচল করে; তাপের প্রভাবে চলাচল)
**অধ্যায় ১১-- অশুভ ঘটনা কেন ঘটে (ভাগ্য সম্ভাবনা ও ঘটনা ঘটার কারণ; পলিয়ানা ও প্যারানয়া)
**অধ্যায় ১২-- অলৌকিক ঘটনা আসলে কী (আজকের অলৌকিকতা আগামীর প্রযুক্তি)
বইটার আকর্ষণীয় একটা দিক হচ্ছে, প্রতিটা অধ্যায়ের শুরুতে সেই অধ্যায়ের টপিকগুলো নিয়ে প্রচলিত মিথগুলোর কথা বলেছেন সংক্ষেপে।
চমৎকার অনুবাদের জন্য অনুবাদককে ধন্যবাদ না দিলে অন্যায় হয়ে যাবে। এমনিতেই আমাদের দেশে ভালো অনুবাদের আকাল। ভালো অনুবাদকরা আবার ভালো বই অনুবাদও করেন না। তাই, ভালো ভালো ননফিকশনগুলো বাংলা ভাষাভাষী পাঠকদের বিরাট একটা অংশের কাছে অপরিচিতই থেকে যাচ্ছে। সেই জায়গায় একেবারেই তরুণ অনুবাদক সিরাজাম মুনির শ্রাবণের প্রথম অনুবাদ বই-ই ননফিকশন দিয়ে অনুবাদ জীবন শুরু করাটা রীতিমতো দুঃসাহসিক এক কাজ। তাছাড়া তিনি যে ন��তান্তই শখের বসে অনুবাদ করে কোনরকমে যা-তা একটা বই পাঠকদের হাতে তুলে দিতে দিতে লেখালেখিতে আসেননি---এসেছেন দায়িত্ববোধ এবং নিদারুণ ভালোবাসা থেকে, তা বইটা হাতে নিলেই স্পষ্ট হয়ে ফুটে উঠে। অনুবাদকের পরিশ্রম ও নিবেদনের ছাপ স্পষ্টভাবে প্রতীয়মান প্রতিটি অধ্যায়ে, প্রতিটি ছত্রে। চমৎকার সাবলীল ভাষায় ননফিকশনের মতো আপাতদৃষ্টিতে শুকনো জিনিসের অনুবাদ করেছেন তিনি অত্যন্ত যত্নে। অনুবাদককে ধন্যবাদ। আশা করি, ভবিষ্যতে আরও দারুণ দারুণ এবং অসাধারণ ননফিকশনের অনুবাদ পাব তার কাছ থেকে। আশা করি, বাংলা ভাষায় ভালো মানের অনুবাদ ননফিকশনের যে অপ্রতুলতা রয়েছে, তা কাটিয়ে উঠতে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অবদান রাখবেন তিনি।
'দ্য ম্যাজিক অব রিয়্যালিটি' মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিক পর্যায়ের শিক্ষার্থী এবং নন-সায়েন্স ব্যাকগ্রাউন্ডের শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য ভীষণ উপকারী এক বই বলেই আমার বিশ্বাস।
April 20, 2014
فى "سحر الواقع" يأخذنا داوكنز فى مقارانات عديدة بين الأ��اطير والعلم فى استعراض جذاب يجعلك لا تترك الكتاب لحظة! لقد نجح تماماً فى جعلى قارئة نهمة لكتابه حتى انتهيت منه!!
فى أول فصلين يحاول داوكنز جاهداً تأكيد قانون الانتخاب الطبيعى الذى جاء به داروين وأثره فى تفسير عملية التطور البطىء للأجناس المختلفة (ومن ضمنها الانسان بالطبع) .. كل ما نجح ان يثبته هو الاستدلال بأن الشفرة الوراثية للانسان تختلف بتسعة احرف فقط عن الشمبانزى ، بينما يختلف الفأر عنا فى ١٣٩ حرفاً .. ثمّ؟! لا شىء!! لم يفسر لنا لمًَّ .. لم يفسر لنا كيف .. انما هو يستطرد فقط فى الشرح..
بعد ذلك استخدم مقارنة شديدة الغرابة فى الفصل الثالث بين عدد الحيوانات الكثيرة ووجود لغات عديدة فى العالم ،
فبناءً على اندثار لغات عديدة وحتى اختلاف طريقة استخدام الكلمات نفسها فى اللغة الواحدة حدث ذلك بالضبط فى جينات الحيوانات المختلفة ونتيجة قانون الانتقاء الطبيعى فما بقى لدينا هو هذه الأنواع المختلفة من الحيوانات !!
فى نفس الفصل مرّ بسرعة على قصة برج بابل وقصة اليهود عن بدء الخلق متهكماً كيف استطاع آدم ان يقوم بهذه المهمة الشاقة وهى تسمية كل الحيوانات التى يصل تعداد انواعها الى ملايين بأسمائها .. ( هذا بالطبع مختلف عن اعتقادنا -نحن المسلمين - بأن الله سبحان وتعالى هو الذى علّم آدم الأسماء كلها)!
بينما يختتم الفصل الرابع بالتهكم على كل الكتب المقدسة، سائلاً لم لم تحتوى على أسرار الكون او على علاج الأمراض المختلفة ( كأن الكتب المقدسة من وجهة نظره هى مجلة Science او National Geographic ) !!
بدءً من الفصل الرابع وحتى الأخير يواصل شرحه العلمى للعديد من الظواهر العلمية ( الشمس ،الزلازل، قوس قزح ، الليل والنهار ، كيف بدأ الكون ، هل توجد حياة على كواكب أخرى ، ما هى المعجزة.. الخ)
اصطدامى الوحيد معه كان فى النقاط الدينية .. فتقريباً داوكنز لم يترك معجزة دينية الا وقد فندها!!
الكتاب يقدم معلومة علمية دسمة بأسهل طريقة ممكنة .. لن تندم ابداً عند قرائته ..
آخر فقرة والتى تلخص رأيه فى العلم والأساطير:
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المعجزات والسحر والأساطير ، باستطاعتها أن تبعث على التسلية، ولقد تسلينا بها على طول صفحات هذا الكتاب. وكل الناس تحب القصص الجيدة ، وأملى ان تكونوا قد استمتعتم بالعلوم التى جاءت فى أعقاب الأساطير. وأملى أن توافقوا على أن الحقيقة تنطوى على سحر خاص بها. إن الحقيقة أكثر سحراً - بالمعنى الأفضل والأكثر إثارة للكلمة - من أى أسطورة أو لغز مصنوع او معجزة. للعلم سحره النابع منه: انه سحر الواقع!
فى أول فصلين يحاول داوكنز جاهداً تأكيد قانون الانتخاب الطبيعى الذى جاء به داروين وأثره فى تفسير عملية التطور البطىء للأجناس المختلفة (ومن ضمنها الانسان بالطبع) .. كل ما نجح ان يثبته هو الاستدلال بأن الشفرة الوراثية للانسان تختلف بتسعة احرف فقط عن الشمبانزى ، بينما يختلف الفأر عنا فى ١٣٩ حرفاً .. ثمّ؟! لا شىء!! لم يفسر لنا لمًَّ .. لم يفسر لنا كيف .. انما هو يستطرد فقط فى الشرح..
بعد ذلك استخدم مقارنة شديدة الغرابة فى الفصل الثالث بين عدد الحيوانات الكثيرة ووجود لغات عديدة فى العالم ،
فبناءً على اندثار لغات عديدة وحتى اختلاف طريقة استخدام الكلمات نفسها فى اللغة الواحدة حدث ذلك بالضبط فى جينات الحيوانات المختلفة ونتيجة قانون الانتقاء الطبيعى فما بقى لدينا هو هذه الأنواع المختلفة من الحيوانات !!
فى نفس الفصل مرّ بسرعة على قصة برج بابل وقصة اليهود عن بدء الخلق متهكماً كيف استطاع آدم ان يقوم بهذه المهمة الشاقة وهى تسمية كل الحيوانات التى يصل تعداد انواعها الى ملايين بأسمائها .. ( هذا بالطبع مختلف عن اعتقادنا -نحن المسلمين - بأن الله سبحان وتعالى هو الذى علّم آدم الأسماء كلها)!
بينما يختتم الفصل الرابع بالتهكم على كل الكتب المقدسة، سائلاً لم لم تحتوى على أسرار الكون او على علاج الأمراض المختلفة ( كأن الكتب المقدسة من وجهة نظره هى مجلة Science او National Geographic ) !!
بدءً من الفصل الرابع وحتى الأخير يواصل شرحه العلمى للعديد من الظواهر العلمية ( الشمس ،الزلازل، قوس قزح ، الليل والنهار ، كيف بدأ الكون ، هل توجد حياة على كواكب أخرى ، ما هى المعجزة.. الخ)
اصطدامى الوحيد معه كان فى النقاط الدينية .. فتقريباً داوكنز لم يترك معجزة دينية الا وقد فندها!!
الكتاب يقدم معلومة علمية دسمة بأسهل طريقة ممكنة .. لن تندم ابداً عند قرائته ..
آخر فقرة والتى تلخص رأيه فى العلم والأساطير:
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المعجزات والسحر والأساطير ، باستطاعتها أن تبعث على التسلية، ولقد تسلينا بها على طول صفحات هذا الكتاب. وكل الناس تحب القصص الجيدة ، وأملى ان تكونوا قد استمتعتم بالعلوم التى جاءت فى أعقاب الأساطير. وأملى أن توافقوا على أن الحقيقة تنطوى على سحر خاص بها. إن الحقيقة أكثر سحراً - بالمعنى الأفضل والأكثر إثارة للكلمة - من أى أسطورة أو لغز مصنوع او معجزة. للعلم سحره النابع منه: انه سحر الواقع!
August 25, 2013
This was the worst popular science book that I have read. It was lazily-written with no real structure rather than flimsy chapter beginnings with myths. The information in it was extremely random and superficial. I'm sorry to say this but it is nothing more than a rant of a famous person than a popular science book with an aim to inform its audience.
I used to enjoy Dawkins' books back in the day; when they were about topics which he has a good grasp of (i.e. evolution). But I really don't like what he has become since then, a figurehead basically who does not refrain from giving his opinion on any topic at all. For example, his "speculation" about auto-immune diseases in the book shows that he really did not understand them very well, yet it did not stop him from talking about them.
The beauty of science is that it never really needs to defend itself. The proofs it comes up with always speak for themselves. When you understand them thoroughly, you will be convinced anyway. So the science does not need "Champions", it convinces by evidence. But somehow over the last 10 years, Mr. Dawkins became a self-proclaimed champion of science which, as a professional researcher, irks me. The language, content and style of this book added to my dislike of him as a popular figure.
I used to enjoy Dawkins' books back in the day; when they were about topics which he has a good grasp of (i.e. evolution). But I really don't like what he has become since then, a figurehead basically who does not refrain from giving his opinion on any topic at all. For example, his "speculation" about auto-immune diseases in the book shows that he really did not understand them very well, yet it did not stop him from talking about them.
The beauty of science is that it never really needs to defend itself. The proofs it comes up with always speak for themselves. When you understand them thoroughly, you will be convinced anyway. So the science does not need "Champions", it convinces by evidence. But somehow over the last 10 years, Mr. Dawkins became a self-proclaimed champion of science which, as a professional researcher, irks me. The language, content and style of this book added to my dislike of him as a popular figure.
April 29, 2020
I enjoyed this read very much. I have read The God Delusion but that is the only other Dawkins book I have read.
I enjoy Dawkins "right between the eyes" style of writing. This is a superb read, very interesting and complicated science is broken down so even knuckle draggers like me can understand it.
I enjoy Dawkins "right between the eyes" style of writing. This is a superb read, very interesting and complicated science is broken down so even knuckle draggers like me can understand it.
October 5, 2011
A note for all my goodreads friends, if you like my review please go to Amazon and click the like button. It would help my "reviewer cred". Thanks and enjoy this wonderful book.
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True by Richard Dawkins
"The Magic of Reality" is the latest contribution by evolutionary-biologist icon Richard Dawkins. Professor Dawkins is on a mission of education and in this enlightening book he reaches a younger audience by introducing science like only he can. In one of the most beautifully illustrated science books, he takes the reader on a ride on a wide-range of topics of interest that masterfully navigates between myth and what is real. This mesmerizing 272-page book is composed of the following twelve chapters: 1. What is reality? What is magic? , 2. Who was the first person? , 3. Why are there so many different kinds of animals? , 4. What are things made of? , 5. Why do we have night and day, winter and summer? , 6. What is the sun? , 7. What is a rainbow? , 8. When and how did everything begin? , 9. Are we alone? , 10. What is an earthquake? , 11. Why do bad things happen? ,and 12. What is a miracle?
Positives:
1. A wonderful book on science that is accessible to a younger audience without compromising the science lovers in all of us. Bravo!
2. It's a book written by the great Richard Dawkins, so you know the quality goes in before the product goes out.
3. A true labor of love. The educator in Professor Dawkins comes out and now even our children will benefit from his prodigious knowledge.
4. One of the most beautifully illustrated books you will ever find. Great quality binding only matched by its substance.
5. Science knowledge conveyed in a brilliant, lucid manner.
6. Great format. In each chapter, Professor Dawkins illustrates clearly the difference between the wishful and what is "really" real.
7. What a wonderful way to learn about science. Great practical examples throughout this beautiful book. A ride of knowledge, hop on! Readers of all ages will enjoy this great book.
8. Even-handed and pleasant tone throughout.
9. A wide range of fascinating science topics in the hands of the master.
10. Great wisdom throughout, "We should always be open-minded, but the only good reason to believe that something exists is if there is real evidence that it does".
11. The book cleverly goes from myth to reality.
12. The concept of magic in three tiers: supernatural, stage and poetic.
13. Evolution in the hands of the master. Awesome.
14. Was there ever a first person? Insightful indeed. The best illustrated example I've ever read.
15. Great explanation on DNA.
16. Clever examples throughout, one of the many strengths of this book.
17. A wide range of fascinating science topic in the hands of a master.
18. The three common phases of matter.
19. The importance of the scientific meyhod.
20. The concept of empty space...I finally get it.
21. The importance of carbons, organic chemistry.
22. Telling that there are no myths to describe atoms...
23. So what causes the difference between winter and summer...find out.
24. The illusion of relative movement.
25. The great Isaac Newton. Gravity, lights...we are not worthy.
26. The difference between mass and weight.
27. A great illustration of how far stars are from us.
28. How coal is created.
29. Differences between stars and planets.
30. Energy and the sun.
31. What determines the size of a star? Find out.
32. The epic of Gilgamesh. Interesting.
33. Rainbow as an illusion and how they are formed.
34. Lights as vibrations...I see.
35. Steady state versus the Big Bang theory.
36. How we determine the distance between anything in the universe.
37. How we determine age.
38. Spectral barcoders...neat.
39. Methods for detecting planets.
40. The keys for life on other planets.
41. Plate tectonics illustrated, wonderful.
42. The speed of continents, sea-floor spreading...
43. Myths debunked.
44. Practical explanation for probability.
45. Great examples of evolution...parasites.
46. How the immune system works. Fascinating.
47. Miracles what they are.
48. David Hume's irrefutable logic regarding miracles and many great examples.
49. Absolutely kindles the fire of learning.
50. An excellent gift for all occasions.
Negatives:
1. The book is intended for a younger audience and covers briefly a lot of topics. If you are expecting an in-depth analysis. This is not the book for you.
2. No bibliography.
In summary, a fabulous book for all to enjoy. I usually limit my purchases to Kindle books because of the convenience but I'm glad I was "forced" to buy this book in hardcover binding. It's a beautiful book inside and out. Substance finally matches style and it's a science book for all to enjoy and for years to come. There is a sense of awe, a poetic magic for reality. For all his knowledge, Professor Dawkins is humbled by what little we do know and how much more we need to find out about the world. It's precisely this drive to know more and that hunger for knowledge that I always wanted to convey to my children. Finally, I have a book that expresses my sentiments and I have Richard Dawkins to thank!
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True by Richard Dawkins
"The Magic of Reality" is the latest contribution by evolutionary-biologist icon Richard Dawkins. Professor Dawkins is on a mission of education and in this enlightening book he reaches a younger audience by introducing science like only he can. In one of the most beautifully illustrated science books, he takes the reader on a ride on a wide-range of topics of interest that masterfully navigates between myth and what is real. This mesmerizing 272-page book is composed of the following twelve chapters: 1. What is reality? What is magic? , 2. Who was the first person? , 3. Why are there so many different kinds of animals? , 4. What are things made of? , 5. Why do we have night and day, winter and summer? , 6. What is the sun? , 7. What is a rainbow? , 8. When and how did everything begin? , 9. Are we alone? , 10. What is an earthquake? , 11. Why do bad things happen? ,and 12. What is a miracle?
Positives:
1. A wonderful book on science that is accessible to a younger audience without compromising the science lovers in all of us. Bravo!
2. It's a book written by the great Richard Dawkins, so you know the quality goes in before the product goes out.
3. A true labor of love. The educator in Professor Dawkins comes out and now even our children will benefit from his prodigious knowledge.
4. One of the most beautifully illustrated books you will ever find. Great quality binding only matched by its substance.
5. Science knowledge conveyed in a brilliant, lucid manner.
6. Great format. In each chapter, Professor Dawkins illustrates clearly the difference between the wishful and what is "really" real.
7. What a wonderful way to learn about science. Great practical examples throughout this beautiful book. A ride of knowledge, hop on! Readers of all ages will enjoy this great book.
8. Even-handed and pleasant tone throughout.
9. A wide range of fascinating science topics in the hands of the master.
10. Great wisdom throughout, "We should always be open-minded, but the only good reason to believe that something exists is if there is real evidence that it does".
11. The book cleverly goes from myth to reality.
12. The concept of magic in three tiers: supernatural, stage and poetic.
13. Evolution in the hands of the master. Awesome.
14. Was there ever a first person? Insightful indeed. The best illustrated example I've ever read.
15. Great explanation on DNA.
16. Clever examples throughout, one of the many strengths of this book.
17. A wide range of fascinating science topic in the hands of a master.
18. The three common phases of matter.
19. The importance of the scientific meyhod.
20. The concept of empty space...I finally get it.
21. The importance of carbons, organic chemistry.
22. Telling that there are no myths to describe atoms...
23. So what causes the difference between winter and summer...find out.
24. The illusion of relative movement.
25. The great Isaac Newton. Gravity, lights...we are not worthy.
26. The difference between mass and weight.
27. A great illustration of how far stars are from us.
28. How coal is created.
29. Differences between stars and planets.
30. Energy and the sun.
31. What determines the size of a star? Find out.
32. The epic of Gilgamesh. Interesting.
33. Rainbow as an illusion and how they are formed.
34. Lights as vibrations...I see.
35. Steady state versus the Big Bang theory.
36. How we determine the distance between anything in the universe.
37. How we determine age.
38. Spectral barcoders...neat.
39. Methods for detecting planets.
40. The keys for life on other planets.
41. Plate tectonics illustrated, wonderful.
42. The speed of continents, sea-floor spreading...
43. Myths debunked.
44. Practical explanation for probability.
45. Great examples of evolution...parasites.
46. How the immune system works. Fascinating.
47. Miracles what they are.
48. David Hume's irrefutable logic regarding miracles and many great examples.
49. Absolutely kindles the fire of learning.
50. An excellent gift for all occasions.
Negatives:
1. The book is intended for a younger audience and covers briefly a lot of topics. If you are expecting an in-depth analysis. This is not the book for you.
2. No bibliography.
In summary, a fabulous book for all to enjoy. I usually limit my purchases to Kindle books because of the convenience but I'm glad I was "forced" to buy this book in hardcover binding. It's a beautiful book inside and out. Substance finally matches style and it's a science book for all to enjoy and for years to come. There is a sense of awe, a poetic magic for reality. For all his knowledge, Professor Dawkins is humbled by what little we do know and how much more we need to find out about the world. It's precisely this drive to know more and that hunger for knowledge that I always wanted to convey to my children. Finally, I have a book that expresses my sentiments and I have Richard Dawkins to thank!
November 11, 2011
Great book: clear and accessible (not sure of the best age group, though). Kids are naturally curious and fascinated by how the world works. They're also susceptible to all kinds of nonsense, of course. This much-needed book fill s a gap between simplistic kids' books and adult science books. Also, we need books that help kids understand, not just the facts of the world, but how we know them and, more generally, how do we know whether something's true or not? And I should think this book would be invaluable to parents, a good many of whom could probably not explain natural selection, DNA, plate tectonics, or probability.
Where else could one find so much in one book? And the illustrations by Dave McKean are astonishing —though somewhat overwhelming. Sometimes too large and distracting. I don't like the weirdly formatted titles with mixed, funky fonts in different colors and sizes (within the same title, that is). But that's me.
I couldn't tell what age group he's addressing. I read somewhere that he's said about age 12 and up. But sometimes he sounds he's talking to six-year-olds. At other times, he uses terms like "the scientific method." Huh, what? The tone bugged me all the way through. The best children's books are those that don't talk down, that adults can enjoy just as much as a 12-year-old. I didn't (always) find that to be true of this one.
I had some mixed feelings about the content, though — not the scientific content, but the way he makes fun of myths, etc. Okay, they're not literally true, but. . . . There's a difference between fairytales and mythology. As another Goodreads reviewer (Noah) has said: "When the old stories about the "gods" and nature of reality were written, they were neither meant to be "just so stories" nor were all of them intended to take the place of science.." The tone bothered me a bit, too. I didn't care for the authorial intrusion.
Noah also quotes Dawkins here: "We don't have to invent wildly implausible stories: we have the joy and excitement of real scientific investigation and discovery to keep our imaginations in line. And in the end that is more exciting than fantasy." Noah then asks, "Why do we need to keep our imaginations in line?" Good point.
"Science . . . will never help us with "How ought I act?" or "What meaning can I find in my life?" . . . "How can I find happiness?" But perhaps the ancient knowledge, allied with philosophy, can be of some use with these problems. . . . "
I have no sense at all of how kids would respond to this (don't have any). I would love to see this book reviewed by some 12-year-olds.
Apparently, there's a very cool iPad version, which I haven't seen.
Where else could one find so much in one book? And the illustrations by Dave McKean are astonishing —though somewhat overwhelming. Sometimes too large and distracting. I don't like the weirdly formatted titles with mixed, funky fonts in different colors and sizes (within the same title, that is). But that's me.
I couldn't tell what age group he's addressing. I read somewhere that he's said about age 12 and up. But sometimes he sounds he's talking to six-year-olds. At other times, he uses terms like "the scientific method." Huh, what? The tone bugged me all the way through. The best children's books are those that don't talk down, that adults can enjoy just as much as a 12-year-old. I didn't (always) find that to be true of this one.
I had some mixed feelings about the content, though — not the scientific content, but the way he makes fun of myths, etc. Okay, they're not literally true, but. . . . There's a difference between fairytales and mythology. As another Goodreads reviewer (Noah) has said: "When the old stories about the "gods" and nature of reality were written, they were neither meant to be "just so stories" nor were all of them intended to take the place of science.." The tone bothered me a bit, too. I didn't care for the authorial intrusion.
Noah also quotes Dawkins here: "We don't have to invent wildly implausible stories: we have the joy and excitement of real scientific investigation and discovery to keep our imaginations in line. And in the end that is more exciting than fantasy." Noah then asks, "Why do we need to keep our imaginations in line?" Good point.
"Science . . . will never help us with "How ought I act?" or "What meaning can I find in my life?" . . . "How can I find happiness?" But perhaps the ancient knowledge, allied with philosophy, can be of some use with these problems. . . . "
I have no sense at all of how kids would respond to this (don't have any). I would love to see this book reviewed by some 12-year-olds.
Apparently, there's a very cool iPad version, which I haven't seen.
May 27, 2016
يسعى المؤلف في كتابه الى تبيان أن الواقع - كما تفسره الحقائق العلمية - أكثر سحراً وإبداعاً من التفسيرات الأسطورية التي تستند الى رد الواقع الى قوى خارقة وأحداث غريبة أو الحظ والمصادفة. واستخدم في كتابه لغة علمية سلسة وبالغة التشويق، تعرض الحقائق العلمية بأسلوب مبسط ومفهوم لشرائح عمرية مختلفة. ولكنني أعيب عليه مبالغته في السخرية من أساطير الشعوب القديمة. هذه المبالغة في نظري تنطوي على تعالٍ من الإنسان المعاصر الذين يدين بفضل ما وصل إليه في واقع الأمر الى تراكم المعرفة الناتجة عن تجربة الشعوب التي سبقته. فإذا كان المؤلف مؤمناً ومسلماً بنظرية النشوء والارتقاء للكائنات الحية عبر ملايين السنين، ويعتبرها فتحاً علمياً فالأولى أن لا يغض الطرف عن ارتقاء العقل البشري عبر آلاف السنين ولا يرى العبقرية في ذلك.
الكتاب سيضع الكثير من القراء العرب في مواجهة بين الكشوفات العلمية وبعض المسلمات الإيمانية. شخصياً لا يساورني شك في صحة هذه الكشوفات العلمية التي وردت في الكتاب ولكنني أراها - على نقيض الكاتب - سبباً آخر للإيمان بالله وليس العكس.
فنظرية داروين على سبيل المثال تبدو لي منطقية ولكنها لا تدل بالضرورة على عدم وجود الخالق ولا يلزم الاعتقاد بها سحبها على الجنس البشري أيضاً. فبحسب هذه النظرية، لا بد وأن يكون هناك أصل ما تطورت عنه الأحياء الموجودة اليوم، وعليه لا بد وأن يكون هناك خالق لهذا الأصل. وإذا كان هناك خالق لهذا الأصل، فلا يعجزه أن يجعل الإنسان أصل نفسه. بعبارة أخرى، القادر على إيجاد السمكة الأولى - التي يشير الكاتب الى احتمال كونها الجد الأكبر للبشر قبل مئات الملايين من السنين - قادر على إيجاد الانسان من العدم في أي نقطة من الزمن ودون الحاجة لإدخاله في سلسلة من التطورات عن أحياء أخرى. حتى التكيف الموجود في الكائنات الحية والذي يسمح لهم بالتطور الجيني حسب مقتضيات الانتقاء الطبيعي لا بد وأن يكون له خالق.
في المحصلة، الكتاب ممتع ومثير ويستحث العقل على التفكير، وبالتأكيد يستحق القراءة.
الكتاب سيضع الكثير من القراء العرب في مواجهة بين الكشوفات العلمية وبعض المسلمات الإيمانية. شخصياً لا يساورني شك في صحة هذه الكشوفات العلمية التي وردت في الكتاب ولكنني أراها - على نقيض الكاتب - سبباً آخر للإيمان بالله وليس العكس.
فنظرية داروين على سبيل المثال تبدو لي منطقية ولكنها لا تدل بالضرورة على عدم وجود الخالق ولا يلزم الاعتقاد بها سحبها على الجنس البشري أيضاً. فبحسب هذه النظرية، لا بد وأن يكون هناك أصل ما تطورت عنه الأحياء الموجودة اليوم، وعليه لا بد وأن يكون هناك خالق لهذا الأصل. وإذا كان هناك خالق لهذا الأصل، فلا يعجزه أن يجعل الإنسان أصل نفسه. بعبارة أخرى، القادر على إيجاد السمكة الأولى - التي يشير الكاتب الى احتمال كونها الجد الأكبر للبشر قبل مئات الملايين من السنين - قادر على إيجاد الانسان من العدم في أي نقطة من الزمن ودون الحاجة لإدخاله في سلسلة من التطورات عن أحياء أخرى. حتى التكيف الموجود في الكائنات الحية والذي يسمح لهم بالتطور الجيني حسب مقتضيات الانتقاء الطبيعي لا بد وأن يكون له خالق.
في المحصلة، الكتاب ممتع ومثير ويستحث العقل على التفكير، وبالتأكيد يستحق القراءة.
Shelved as 'paused'
March 3, 2018ما بعرف ليش لازم يعيد ويزيد لأكتر من 20 صفحة حتى يوصلي فكرة بديهية .!
يبدو أنو أنا والعلوم الطبيعية ما في أي كيميا بيناتنا وكل محاولات التقريب والمصالحة لن تنفع .
يبدو أنو أنا والعلوم الطبيعية ما في أي كيميا بيناتنا وكل محاولات التقريب والمصالحة لن تنفع .
November 13, 2015
Sa Čarolijom stvarnosti Richard Dawkins je želio na zanimljiv i razumljiv način približiti djeci ono što znamo o svijetu oko nas. Ilustracije je radio Dave McKean, možda najpoznatiji po naslovnicama mnogih izdanja Gaimanovog Sandmana. Sviđa mi se njegov stil. Ilustracije su pomaknute, zanimljive i dobro su uklopljene u knjigu.
Dawkins knjigu preporučuje djeci od 12 godina pa na više, no zbog jednostavnije obrade tema nije loša ni za odrasle koji ne bi ulazili u dubinu pojedinih tema, a željeli bi znati barem osnove. Knjiga je podjeljenja na poglavlja i svako počinje nekim od velikih pitanja na koja su ljudi dugo tražili odgovor. Gotovo svako poglavlje počinje i nekim mitom, a potom se objašnjava kako su znanstvenici došli do (zasad) najtočnijih odgovora.
Uz 10 glavnih poglavlja: Tko je bio prva osoba? Zašto ima toliko različitih vrsta životinja? Od čega su građene stvari? Zašto imamo noć i dan, zimu i ljeto? Što je Sunce? Što je duga? Kako i kada je sve počelo? Jesmo li sami? Što je potres? i Zašto se događaju loše stvari? Tu je i prvo poglavlje, kao svojevrsni uvod: Što je stvarnost? Što je čarolija? te zadnje Što je čudo?
Pitanja su nam svima sigurno poznata i većina misli da zna točne odgovore na gotovo sve, no probajte sami sebi odgovoriti na njih redom... Ako negdje zapnete - uzmite ovu knjigu!
Dawkins knjigu preporučuje djeci od 12 godina pa na više, no zbog jednostavnije obrade tema nije loša ni za odrasle koji ne bi ulazili u dubinu pojedinih tema, a željeli bi znati barem osnove. Knjiga je podjeljenja na poglavlja i svako počinje nekim od velikih pitanja na koja su ljudi dugo tražili odgovor. Gotovo svako poglavlje počinje i nekim mitom, a potom se objašnjava kako su znanstvenici došli do (zasad) najtočnijih odgovora.
Uz 10 glavnih poglavlja: Tko je bio prva osoba? Zašto ima toliko različitih vrsta životinja? Od čega su građene stvari? Zašto imamo noć i dan, zimu i ljeto? Što je Sunce? Što je duga? Kako i kada je sve počelo? Jesmo li sami? Što je potres? i Zašto se događaju loše stvari? Tu je i prvo poglavlje, kao svojevrsni uvod: Što je stvarnost? Što je čarolija? te zadnje Što je čudo?
Pitanja su nam svima sigurno poznata i većina misli da zna točne odgovore na gotovo sve, no probajte sami sebi odgovoriti na njih redom... Ako negdje zapnete - uzmite ovu knjigu!
May 20, 2014
مؤلف هذا الكتاب هو ريتشارد دوكنز، وهو لمن لا يعرفه حامل راية "الكفر بالله" في هذا الزمن، وصاحب الكتب والمحاضرات والأفلام الوثائقية التي تنادي برسالة واحدة (لا حاجة بنا لإله) –تعالى الله عمّا يقول- و يركّز "دوكنز" في غالب نشاطاته على ما حملته نظرية التطوّر للعالم من كشف يغنيهم عن الأديان.
المهم، في هذا الكتاب يخاطب "دوكنز" فئة عمرية صغيرة نسبيًا، ربما هي فئة 10-20 سنة، ويشرح فيه التفسيرات العلمية للظواهر من حولنا(مثل الليل والنهار والفصول وقوس قزح والأمراض و الضوء والشمس والذرة...الخ) بشكل جميل ومبسّط لكنه وافٍ وعميق ومدّعم بالأمثلة من الحياة . غير أنّ "دوكنز" يبتديء فصوله بضرب أمثلة من التفسير القديم لمثل هذه الظواهر، أقصد أساطير الشعوب وبعض التفسيرات من الأديان، ليعرض بعدها "بخبث" للتفسير العلمي (المدعّم بالأدلّة) في مقابل تلك الخزعبلات التي ينتقيها باحتراف ليظهر سخافتها أو سذاجتها ..
وفي نهاية الكتاب يقول صراحة أنّ أيّ تفسير ديني أو أسطوري يحمل جماله الخاص كونه قصّة (مسلية) لكنّ العلم يحمل جمال الحقيقة.
الكتاب لا يعدو عن محاولة "ذكية" من دوكنز لإيصال رسالته "الكفري��" إلى أبعد مدى وأوسع انتشار. وفي كتبه الأخرى وأفلامه الوثائقية ومحاضراته حرب أشدّ ضرواة على "الدين" ككلّ. ما أحلم الله! والله غالبٌ على أمره.
المهم، في هذا الكتاب يخاطب "دوكنز" فئة عمرية صغيرة نسبيًا، ربما هي فئة 10-20 سنة، ويشرح فيه التفسيرات العلمية للظواهر من حولنا(مثل الليل والنهار والفصول وقوس قزح والأمراض و الضوء والشمس والذرة...الخ) بشكل جميل ومبسّط لكنه وافٍ وعميق ومدّعم بالأمثلة من الحياة . غير أنّ "دوكنز" يبتديء فصوله بضرب أمثلة من التفسير القديم لمثل هذه الظواهر، أقصد أساطير الشعوب وبعض التفسيرات من الأديان، ليعرض بعدها "بخبث" للتفسير العلمي (المدعّم بالأدلّة) في مقابل تلك الخزعبلات التي ينتقيها باحتراف ليظهر سخافتها أو سذاجتها ..
وفي نهاية الكتاب يقول صراحة أنّ أيّ تفسير ديني أو أسطوري يحمل جماله الخاص كونه قصّة (مسلية) لكنّ العلم يحمل جمال الحقيقة.
الكتاب لا يعدو عن محاولة "ذكية" من دوكنز لإيصال رسالته "الكفري��" إلى أبعد مدى وأوسع انتشار. وفي كتبه الأخرى وأفلامه الوثائقية ومحاضراته حرب أشدّ ضرواة على "الدين" ككلّ. ما أحلم الله! والله غالبٌ على أمره.
January 28, 2022
This was my first Dawkins book, and it seems like the perfect place to start with him. It is written in a very straight-forward manner, as if the author is trying to explain scientific matters and answers to a teenager.
Overall fascinating, and you'll probably nod along the way, especially if you're an atheist and prefer a rational and logical view of the world and not one based in religious or other types of beliefs.
Overall fascinating, and you'll probably nod along the way, especially if you're an atheist and prefer a rational and logical view of the world and not one based in religious or other types of beliefs.
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