Listen free for 30 days

  • Darwin's Dangerous Idea

  • Evolution and the Meanings of Life
  • Written by: Daniel C. Dennett
  • Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
  • Length: 27 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Darwin's Dangerous Idea cover art

Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Written by: Daniel C. Dennett
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $50.07

Buy Now for $50.07

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

In a book that is both groundbreaking and accessible, Daniel C. Dennett, whom Chet Raymo of The Boston Globe calls "one of the most provocative thinkers on the planet", focuses his unerringly logical mind on the theory of natural selection, showing how Darwin's great idea transforms and illuminates our traditional view of humanity's place in the universe. Dennett vividly describes the theory itself and then extends Darwin's vision with impeccable arguments to their often surprising conclusions, challenging the views of some of the most famous scientists of our day.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 Daniel C. Dennett (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great for those who are familiar with the subject

This is a fantastic book for those who have some background in the social / cognitive sciences, appreciate academic rigour as well as theories that are able to have consequences across a variety of disciplines

If that’s what you’re into, all 27 hours of narration by Kevin Stillwellmakes this read quite enjoyable!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent very looooong book

Was hesitant to give a five stars due to the overwhelming length of this book. Yet every time I am about to become too bored by what appears to be repetitive statements with slightly changed circumstances, suddenly an awesome thought or question is p
resented. Very rich in questions and ideas that shows the breadth and depth of Daniel in this field. Being from a computer science background I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Chomsky, Turing, & von Neumann . Also, the critique of Gould work was very informative. Excellent work overall from Dennett. A summarized version may be more appreciated by the larger public.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected

I’m not a scientist but a very interested lay person in Darwin and his theory of evolution. For me it explains a lot and I am fascinated to read good books about it. Sadly I didn’t find this added to my knowledge that much. It was too academic with many citations of various people who have said various things about Homo sapiens, the universe, the science of evolution and religion over decades and even centuries. I wasn’t interested in hearing quote after quote. The actual content that I got out of this was very slim and considering it was 27 hours of listening, I found it quite a slog to get through. The major theme I took away from this book was that the author was mounting a defence of the theory. Since I am already a believer in the idea, I didn’t need to go through all the attacks. The description says that this book is “accessible” to the public. I’m not so sure. I found large parts of it boring as if the author had something to prove amongst his colleagues and he was really directing this book to them, not the public. The narration was well done.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!