Unweaving the Rainbow

Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder

Richard Dawkins addresses the claim that scientific explanation strips the natural world of wonder, poetry, and beauty. Drawing inspiration from John Keats's accusation that Isaac Newton unwove the rainbow by reducing light to a prism spectrum, Dawkins argues that understanding the mechanics of nature enhances our sense of awe. The book explores genetics, astronomy, optics, and evolutionary biology while challenging pseudoscientific beliefs.

by Richard Dawkins

Allen Lane · First published 1998 · 352 pages