Richard Dawkins has published works spanning nearly five decades, covering topics like science, evolution, atheism, and social commentary. With the release of his latest book, The Genetic Book of the Dead, in December last year, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit his expansive bibliography, ranking his best books based on their Goodreads ratings.
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Richard Dawkins’ Best Books Ranked in Order According to Goodreads Rating
The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.16 / 5
Published in 1976
The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins is in a constant battle with the next book for the highest rated Dawkins book on goodreads. It’s a groundbreaking work that redefined evolution through the lens of gene-centered selection. In the book Dawkins reveals how “selfish” genes drive competition and even apparent altruism, like bees sacrificing themselves for the hive. The latest edition includes new insights and original chapters that revolutionized biology.
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.16 / 5
Published in 2009
Tied for first place with the Selfish Gene. In The Greatest Show on Earth, Dawkins delivers a knockout blow to “Intelligent Design” with irrefutable proof of evolution. From fossil records to DNA, he transforms what could be a dry debate into a tour of life’s diversity, proving we’re anything but accidental.
The Ancestor’s Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.14 / 5
Published in 2004
In the Ancestors Tale, Dawkins takes you on a thrilling reverse journey through time, from humans back to life’s microbial origins. Packed with wit and insight, this masterpiece transforms evolutionary theory into an epic adventure.
The Extended Phenotype: The Long Reach of the Gene, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.12 / 5
Published in 1982
The Extended Phenotype explores Dawkins revolutionary idea: genes don’t just shape bodies, they control environments and even other organisms. This bold sequel to The Selfish Gene redefines evolution’s reach. A game-changer for evolutionary biology.
Climbing Mount Improbable, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.11 / 5
Published in 1997
Tackling nature’s “impossible” designs, like the human eye, and reveals how evolution climbs life’s steepest peaks step by step, Climbing Mount Improbable is a masterclass in explaining complexity without a designer.
The Blind Watchmaker, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.09 / 5
Published in 1986
In The Blind Watchmaker, Dawkins dismantles the “divine watchmaker” argument with elegance, showing how evolution, blind, unguided, and breathtakingly powerful, shapes life’s complexity. A cornerstone of modern evolutionary thought.
Outgrowing God: A Beginner’s Guide to Atheism, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.06 / 5
Published in 2019
In his highest rated book on atheism, Outgrowing God, Dawkins tackles life’s big questions, Do we need God to explain the universe? To be good? With sharp science and philosophy. An accessible case for reason over faith.
The Genetic Book of the Dead: A Darwinian Reverie, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.06 / 5
Published in 2024
The Genetic Book Of the Dead is Dawkins lates book. In it he unveils a radical idea: every creature’s body, behavior, and DNA are a living archive of its ancestors’ worlds. From desert-painted lizards to evolutionary echoes, this richly illustrated work decodes nature’s hidden narratives.
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 4.05 / 5
Published in 2011
In the Magic of Reality, Dawkins replaces myths with science’s epic truths, how continents drift, why volcanoes erupt, and what the stars are made of. More than a book of facts, it’s a toolkit for thinking like a scientist.
The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins
Goodreads Rating: 3.90 / 5
Published in 2006
Richard Dawkins most well known and controversial book, The God Delusion dismantles religion’s intellectual foundations, from biblical violence to modern extremism, and champions atheism as a path to clarity and progress. A defiant, data-driven manifesto.
Thank you for Reading. The above are Richard Dawkins’ best books ranked according to their Goodreads Rating. But we want to know, which ones have you read? Which ones are on your TBR? In which order would you rank them? let us know in the comments or join the conversation on X: @Nonfictioned1
