Published By: Apollo
Pages: 368
Released On: 05/11/2026
Through 42 different tales, Richard Dawkins reveals the fundamental truths behind even the most unfathomable animal behaviours – the galloping of fish, the shape of the rhinoceros’ horn, the surprising similarities between horses and lizards, and why hummingbirds glow in such brilliant hues.
This is popular science and incisive Darwinian analysis at its best. Each tale is richly illustrated with artwork by Ernst Haeckel, whose stunning depictions of plants, sea creatures and other animals have fascinated Dawkins all his life.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Apollo for the gifted copy of this title in return for an honest review.
What I love about Richard’s books are he manages to take what could be quite dry subjects, technical or educational topics, and writes them in such a way that they become this fun and thrilling thing.
It’s full of fascinating imagery – some photos and others sketches, and they really help bring the text to life. I found it really interesting seeing old drawings of animals and comparing them to what we know they look like now. The developments would blow their mind.
It’s less about the familiar animals and instead focussed on those less recognisable, some too small to see with the naked eye, and some we go our entire lives without think about let alone seeing.
On a side note, “zoology” is a word that really annoys me. Let me explain. The zoo part is pronounced, obviously ZOO. Fine. Ology is pronounced OLOGY. All good here. But when you smash them together, you get rid of one of the Os, and it becomes either “Zo-ology” or “Zoo-logy”, neither of them works. And so I have always said it needs to bring back the missing O and be spelt “Zooology” to be correct in my opinion. And it doesn’t seem to bother anyone but me.
It’s a very interesting, highly technical and scientific but enjoyable read. It has beautiful images and words and really helps give depth to our beautiful world and the beauty of mother nature.
