An Appetite for Wonder

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With the 2006 publication of The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins became synonymous with fierce skepticism and articulate debate. His first memoir offers a personal glimpse into his early life and intellectual journey. Dawkins' first book, The Selfish Gene, revolutionized biology with its gene-centered view of evolution and introduced the term "meme," which has since permeated contemporary culture. In this memoir, he reflects on his idyllic childhood in colonial Africa, sharing anecdotes about his colorful ancestors and the quirks of post-World War II colonial life. At boarding school, a pivotal moment occurred when he refused to kneel for prayer, marking the beginning of his skepticism. Although he experienced some inspiring teaching, it was at Oxford in 1959 that his intellectual curiosity truly flourished. There, he encountered legendary mentors and the unique tutorial system that encouraged rigorous questioning and independent research. His career at Oxford took an unexpected turn during a 1973 electricity strike, prompting him to write what he humorously referred to as "my bestseller," which became The Selfish Gene. This memoir reveals the childhood and intellectual development of the renowned evolutionary biologist and atheist, detailing the journey to creating one of the twentieth century's most significant works.