I am not sure exactly why I chose to read this book. I an a professing Christian and sometimes enjoy reading others' viewpoints; believing that one can learn by seeing from the other side of the coin. This book really didn't provide any of those discussions that I was looking for. This book, to me, was the fairly boring memoir of a relatively unremarkable man. I found myself bogged down when he shared the songs or rhymes that he enjoyed as a child and found myself wanting to learn more about growing up in colonial Africa. I found there to be little of interest in his description of life at Oxford, which I would believe to be an incredible experience. Finally, I was turned off in the last chapter of the book by Dawkins' arrogance.It is quite possible that I would have appreciated this book more if I had already read The Selfish Gene (which I have yet to do). It will be interesting to see if I give the forthcoming second volume of this memoir a chance. I understand it is a memoir, but it is one of the most self-absorbed and banal memoirs I have read. The only reason I gave it two stars is because the question, "what is your question?" stuck with me and gave me food for thought. Very little else was inspirational or even meaningful. We all have stories that we could write... But to be worth the time of others they must offer something to reflect upon. The title of this book gives high expectations which remain unsatisfied at the end.
A very good autobiography, however I was looking for a discourse on captivating young minds.
—sunny
Sadly, this book has little on the making of a scientist and more on genealogy
—read
Can't wait for the second installment
—kailysaywhat
See movie The Unbelievers
—Lucy
