The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True Audiobook

" This book if for my son. "

" Science's explanation can be more beautiful and amazing than any myth, miracle, or magic: Dawkins makes this point by picking up a series of questions (like: what is real? what is a rainbow? why do we have night and day, summer and winter? who is the first person? why are there so many kinds of life-forms? etc.), which haunt many of us time and again, and then he presents what the myths have to offer as the answer to each of those questions and what science has to offer; and through this journey one is introduced to a lot of important stuffs about science and moreover the way scientists go about applying scientific method to come up with answers. I liked Hume's neat idea for evaluating the plausibility of a "stated" miracle. The writing is lucid and often witty; should be a great read for youngsters even. "

" While the author does not pit myth against science, he does a miraculous job of explaining the scientific truths behind what appears to be magical, without destroying the beauty. For those of you with iPads, there is an amazing app to download it. "

" I read this chapter by chapter with my precocious 10 year old and it was a great refresher of basic science for me as well as opening the door for discussions between her and I regarding science, religion, human development and critical thinking. Worth checking out. "

" I happily give this one a 5 start rating. Very entertaining, widely informative, and above all, so beautifully written. "

" An accessible and engaging overview of the BIG questions for curious younger readers. An excellent science primer that dismisses the usual supernatural mumbo jumbo kids are exposed to without talking down to them. Plus, fun illustrations by frequent Gaiman collaborator, Dave McKean. If I ever have kids, I'd buy this book for them. "

" Interesting myths, but even better (and more clear) descriptions of reality. A fun scientific read... "

" This book will be brilliant for children, 10+ years. It's written simply enough to be understandable to young minds, and the illustrations are lovely. "

" Pretty great. It's basically about how exciting science is. A little more accessible and more of a broader range of topics are covered than in his other book that I've read, "The Selfish Gene." I want to read more by him. I like the way this man's brian works. "

" this was a good book,it told us about the world around us.It also told us about some of the worlds history. It some very interesting facts in the book. Overall the book was interesting and fun to read. "

" a must read if you're new to science and interested to learn to view our world scientifically. "

" Incredible. Aimed for young Europeans or American adults. Highly recommended for your high school student, or junior high if they aren't a complete moron "

" A great introduction for kids - there are some things to think about "

" A good book to teach school age children how to have an open mind and understand the wonders of skepticism. "

" Dawkins is less doctrinaire but still preaches his religion with fervor. This is about the beautiful and fascinating nature without him demanding that you believe in his theology "

" It is a remarkable book that I share with my kids. I love how it teaches thinking and perception. Kids always ask deep questions and it helps us think how to answer in a way that allows kids to come to their own conclusions through observation. "

" I love the idea behind this book, but the same issue I had while reading The Greatest Show on Earth I had with this Richard Dawkins book. If I have to read, "but I'm not going to go into that right now" or "Let's skip that" one more time I swear I will puke. "

" Loved it!!! Should have been longer! "

" Targeted more to the YA crowd. Ethan is really liking this one. "

" Pretty great. It's basically about how exciting science is. A little more accessible and more of a broader range of topics are covered than in his other book that I've read, "The Selfish Gene." I want to read more by him. I like the way this man's brian works. "

" I'll be posting a full review over at SLJ, but for now, suffice to say that (as always) Dawkins is a great scientist (and writer of science) and a very very poor philosopher. "

" A very good introduction to science for non-scienctists. "

" As much as I enjoyed the book and reading Dawkins in general, I didn't really think it was written well for the younger audience he intended. Perhaps he could have used a more critical editor. Razor blades indeed! PS, I didn't care much for the artist's picture of Newton either! "

" Incredible. Aimed for young Europeans or American adults. Highly recommended for your high school student, or junior high if they aren't a complete moron "

" I only wish that it had more pictures in it. "

" Of course I don't need Mr Dawkins to convince me. This is an elegant addition to his work promoting scientific procedures. "

" A fantastically written and brilliantly illustrated introduction to the basics of science. It dismisses myths without insulting their believers and explains the basic sciences behind some of the most basic questions you could ask. "