Hardcover, 320 pages
English language
Published Feb. 3, 2003 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
A Devil's Chaplain: Reflections on Hope, Lies, Science, and Love is a 2003 book of selected essays and other writings by Richard Dawkins. Published five years after Dawkins's previous book Unweaving the Rainbow, it contains essays covering subjects including pseudoscience, genetic determinism, memetics, terrorism, religion and creationism. A section of the book is devoted to Dawkins' late adversary Stephen Jay Gould. The book's title is a reference to a quotation of Charles Darwin, in a letter to J.D. Hooker dated 13 July 1856, made in reference to Darwin's lack of belief in how "a perfect world" was designed by God (and a reference to Reverend Robert Taylor): "What a book a devil's chaplain might write on the clumsy, wasteful, blundering low and horridly cruel works of nature!"
This is a good introduction to Richard's general writings. It is a collection of essays over the years. Most are quite good. I thought it bogged down a bit toward the end when he presented forwards to several books. The book ends smashingly however with a letter to his then 10-year old daughter.
Recommended for thoughtful people, even if you find yourself skimming some parts.
