Ten Years Later/New Sounds Of Gene Pitney - Gene Pitney

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...Gene, earned a sole point at the Nurburgring in the European Grand Prix, thus gaining one more point than he was expected to do. Arguably his major asset to Minardi was the vast amount of sponsorship he attracted to the team, although the one point was a bonus. He has experienced a chequered career in his forming years with a string of karting successes in his homeland. Made the natural step up to Formula Ford racing and then chanced his arm in the British Formula Three Championship. He failed to win any titles and actually did not gain a single win in Britain on the Formula Three circuit, although he was studying in England at the time. The Spaniard is a popular driver on the Formula One scene and is something of a bookworm as he is an avid reader of business magazines. Bizarre fact ? his favourite book is Wilt by Tom Sharp.... Read review

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Advantages: Lucid, enjoyable, informative, gripping
Disadvantages: None

...The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins was first published in 1976. Even after 31 years of its first publication, it remains an international best seller. Dawkins, an expert in his field (Evolutionary Biology) explains complex biological ideas in a very interesting and lucid way so that even a layman can understand him. In essence, this book explains the theory of evolution by natural selection from genes' action point of view. He explains, through numerous examples that the ultimate goal of any gene is to survive in future generations. To do so, the genes adapt to the environment and if necessary resort to "exploitation" and "deceit"; and hence the name "Selfish Gene". The genes that are thus successful in adapting favourably towards the changing environment are selected by the nature and they pass on to the future generations. Others... Read review

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Advantages: A good way to broaden the mind with respect to genetics
Disadvantages: Difficult to understand for the wrong audience

...order to help us understand the Selfish Gene concept. Some of these you will already be familiar with, such as cuckoos laying eggs in the nests of other birds, and so you will feel very intelligent from understanding what Dawkins is saying when he steps it up a level. The book is aimed at students from the age of roughly 17-20 odd, and it helps if you have a biological background. However, such is the skill of Dawkins' writing, it is not essential. I ver much reccommend the second edition to this book, published almost 20 years later I believe, in which he goes through with endnotes explaining further some points, and defending his work from other authors in other points. Of course, there is also the addition of two extra chapters. All in all, this is a very good book, provided you have the patience to stick with it. I am currently... Read review

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