Richard Dawkins' Follow-Up to God Delusion Sold to Free Press for $3.5 Million
British biologist Richard Dawkins has sold a follow-up to his incendiary 2006 book The God Delusion to Hilary Redmon at Free Press. According to one source with knowledge of the deal, Mr. Dawkins' literary agent John Brockman told some underbidders at the end of the auction that Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is paying $3.5 million for the book.
According to this source, the book—to be called Only a Theory?—will offer empirical evidence for evolution, and will be published next year, on the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species.
The God Delusion, which has sold over a million copies and inspired several book-length counterarguments, was published by Houghton Mifflin.
Free Press publisher Martha Levin said she and her staff were "thrilled" about the acquisition.
Ms. Redmon and Mr. Brockman did not return calls seeking comment.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Wow, 3.5 million dollars. Money, as a God, is my kind of religion. I'm a believer now.
It's great to hear that so many people value science enough for Dawkins to get this kind of money. Finally more people are standing up to the religious juggernaut.
Yeah, until they read "The Irrational Atheist" - by Vox Day. Then the book won't be worth two cents.
Vox Day, the wingnut whackjob? LOL, you have got to be joking!
Back to the story. I like Dawkins' writing style and I eagerly anticipate this book. I'm sure I won't agree 100% with what he writes (I am a Gouldian pluralist) but that's part of science. 3.5M is good "retirement" money now that Dawkins will be stepping down from his post as Simonyi chair in Oxford.
Vox Day does seem to be crazy, and also his book, which he makes available as a free .pdf download, destroys aspects of Dawkins' arguments. I don't believe in God but I never liked Richard Dawkins much. If there is a moral in all of this, I leave it to someone else to figure out.
"religious juggernaut" - why do I keep reading this kind of whiney rhetoric from atheists as though they are some little band of out-numbered, persecuted freedom fighters for truth. For crying out loud, You lot completely dominate every academic institution in the western world. Get over yourselves. While I'm at it , Dawkins, though a bioligist, is not being paid for science, he is being paid for sensationalism.
"For crying out loud, You lot completely dominate every academic institution in the western world."
Yeah, and academia is where most Americans look for information and guidance, right? The fact that reason is dominant in science and academia but not anywhere else (like politics) is exactly the problem. Funding is being denied to stem-cell research, gay rights are being held up or rolled back, wars are being fought, and (although he won't win the nomination) one ignorant twit has managed to win several Republican primaries and caucuses -- all because of beliefs in stories that are nothing more than superstitions and fairy tales.
Reason is inherently atheistic, because the methodologies of reason will always reject "just because" arguments in favor of ideas, and those sorts of arguments are all religion has to offer.
Whiney rhetoric?
Whiney rhetoric seems to be a common human condition ... as your own whine amply demonstrates. Listen to the religioso go on and on about being a persecuted minority.
As for dominating every academic institution in the western world ... has it ever occured to you that the issue is not domination but rather that academics simply have little or no time for the mythological?
But, I did enjoy both your whine and whing about your whining.
"Religioso", I love it. Most of the religious people in my life get offended and angry when told that their stories do not convince. They get defensive, I think they've been reading the story of Jesus too much...they think they are some kind of oppressed minority in 2008.
There is so much evidence in favor of the theory of evolution that the only reason we still call it a theory is simply because we weren't there during the process (although we see it on bacteria and other micro organisms). "Reliogiosos" on the other hand can't even agree on when the world was first created, the myriad of theories involving the "Nohah's flood" go from the ridiculous (it ripped apart continents) to the extraordinary (it was what made dinosaurs go extinct), the developement of animals and flora all happened instantly (dinosaurs, mammals, etc) all they all coexisted, arguments for the existence of fossils range from devil's creations to scientist fabricating them, when it comes down to genetic evidence (and carbon dating) religiosos argue that all these things are mere speculations on behalf of vile scientists (carbon dating and chemistry are only reliable and true when they're used to find out how long ago a crime was committed!!!). Creationism is not a scientific theory, it is the collection of arguments and "supposed" theories (contradicting and agreeing ones among them) concerning the credibility of evolution. Evolution has no flaws, everything has been explained now we only need details and how we can use this information to enhace our knowledge of ourselves to therefore improve our lives--the purpose of science.
I'm not big into the evolution/creation debate. I know the creationist view hasn't been proven 100% true. When was evolution proven to be 100% true? Don't get me wrong, I believe in truth, but I wonder if either belief has been proven 100% true and if not, what does that mean?
Thanks,
Brian
Greetings and how thrilling it is to finally have a GREAT and I do mean GREAT scientist to tell it (Evolution) as it really is. We have been mired in a torturous and agonizing society of religious wars, rule,and dominance for thousands of years and the results for humans, animals, and even plants, has been globally disastrous and wicked. I know that time was limited on the radio show tonite and there was the expected quackery call-ins, but I do wish Dr. Dawkins would have expounded more on why the God-Jesus Delusion and why the Christians and Muslims have been sucuccessful forover 2000 years. No matter, anybody with a computer, memory or good library can access themselves to the powers of the church, Rome, Middle East etc., and how they took their domain worldwide. Surely some of us remember, as did Europeans, the Middle East and especially the indian tribes of South America when the christians arrived, that you would accept their god or die. Millions died and many accepted the European Christ...by force. And the Inquisition was a damned long tenure of 'Dirty Deeds' that would shake anyone; timbers. Just thinking of the Holy Wars (Crusades) and the ravaging, torture of women both physically and through holy writ is more than enough to turn my stomach. And the beat goes on as the good doctor said with our politicians and their lust to win power. Any wonder that this once powerful nation will be reduced to slime and murk just as those of the past? No doubt if we can't get it right and be proud we have a life to live, produce, create, love and pursue happiness along with being good stweards of this planet.
Every single person who called Moderator Holmes tonite can't escape the fact that they are religious because of geographical birth, parental beliefs, state beliefs, state rule or just plain programmed throughout their formative (or later in many cases after spending time in prision, a difficult, divorce, lost loved ones, alcoholism, drug addict, ball players (Whoppee)) years by creationist preachers, Omans, Moolahs, and whatever other charlatans have spit their own brand of religious fervor into their gray matter. The precepts and so-called truths of religion cannot even meet a single viable test of proof. Deprogrammed? No chance in my opinion, it was difficult even with a few Moonies.Very few of us can make the claim to have escaped the wrath and hatred of religion.
Sure we have intelligent people who are religious. Most wouln't have a career if they didn't in the society we have made since Jefferson, Paine, Wahington and Adams, etc,. Many scientists have major grants from religious orgainizations and that is big moolah. Many religious colleges have creaed and hired scientists and their paycheck is tied to religion.Do they eat and take the easy way out? Would they dare to learn the truth (Most likely already know Darwinian Evolution) or be sort of cowards and stay the course and enjoy the benefits of their own good life? Would they recant just a centimeter as did Galileo? Pasteur? or would they be a Giardano deBruno (Religious but seeking the truth) and tell 'em, "I'd rather be burned to death alive than to live in ignorance?" At the Campo de Fierro in 1400 he was burned alive. And torching Joan of Arc? Once to see her clothes burn off and gleefully see her naked? A second time to dispatch her? Bastards all. Do they use the scientific methood in their daily lives and occupations. Would they go to a court hearing without doing research? No, of course not. So why are they willing to leave their intelligence on the doorsteps at the entrance to the church?
If heaven (sic) is such a great place, why was there trouble from the beginning...a fight among the angels and one kicked out to be called Satan?
Age of Reaoning? Not hardly.
My, my, Jonathan G, where have you been the past two hundred years? All of the evidence found to date supports evolution and you can expect more every month because of biology, cosmology, archaeology, physics and other science fields with funding and the materials to do the job. My, my Ben, where in the whole wideworld history of mankind and womankind did you find evidence approaching 100% for Creationism? In fact, you probably do know that there is not a speck, not an iota of testifiable evidence for your asserted evidence. Please, don't get me in a fretting mood because you have learned to believe in myths and fairy tales that degrade and humiliate women as an equal to a man or even at times to scum. If you couldn't get it in the 20th Century perhaps you can enlighten yourself with some real and factual knowledge in the 21st century, right? No, from what I gather, you don't know about evolution and I believe you don't really want to know. Scared??? And for the poor, dear christian lady from New York who called Dawkings on the radio show last night with Holmes and claimed she was so insulted that Dawkins had no right to be on the air, hmmmmm, do you wish to quash the first amendment of our Constitution? How far removed is your mind from the Salem Witch Hunts? Just how educated (or misguided) is your educated crowd when it comes to Darwinian Evolution and the subsequent studies since that manifesto? Do you really believe physicians, lawyers, CPA's are experts in evolution because they are experts in their field? Not a chance? Do you really believe that all the fire-breathing, rabid-dog howling preachers around the world that captivate their flock to the point of total submission have anything else in mind but their dollars, egotitistical power, and influence on politics? Most know some pseudo-science and I beg your pardon,would be rock-stars if they had the opportunity.
Preachers, Rock Stars, great orators like Hitler, Mussolini, etc., have the charisma and other effects (Breaking Bread, Wine, The Host, Mary Jane, Ecstacy, etc.,) to mesmerize audiences and if necessary to have their members carry out their evil agenda or in most cases of rock music, spirited fun, excitement, overdose and lots of sex. What matters is that those who do fall under the spell and unable to recover quickly, are prepared to do Jihad anywhere and anytime. But enough ot that, if you, like the lady at Dawkings throat last evening with a favorite scripture line, really think we women should be damned, raped, murdered, tortured, kidnapped, sold, and have other despicable things done to us, then keep on trusting your select quotes from scripture. I'll just pass on your sometime Rapture too because I will not get down on my knees for any old mideast scripture, their gods, sons of gods, or as some past and present elders well know, the greatest wealth-making myths ever perpetrated on earth's peoples. Your rhetoric is designed to bullrush great men of science like professor Dawkins instead of just shutting up and learning.
Here's some quotes for you Bubs and Glubs:
Thomas Jefferson: What a conspiracy this, between church and state! Sing Tantarara, rogues all, rogues all! Sing Tantarara, rogues all. (Letter to John Cartwright, 6-25-1824).
Jefferson again: The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter." (Letter to John Adams, 4-11-83).
Women rights? Sounds Middle East to me: Genesis 3:16 "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy concepcion; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."
Tertullian: "Each of you women is an Eve...You are the gate of hell, you are the temptress of the forbidden tree; you are the first deserter of divine law."
"Women who have sons are unclean for seven days." Leviticus 1:1-14
"Women who have daughters are unclean fourteen days." Leviticus:12:4-7
"Women must marry her rapist." Deuteronomy: 22:28-29
"Mary is unclean after birth of Jesus." Luke:2:22
"Evil women seduce men, send them to hell." Proverbs 7:9-27
"Burning your only daughter to fulfill a promise." Judeges: 11:39
"Buying a wife with two hundred male foreskins." 1 Sam: 18:25
"Cutting up a womans body and distributing the parts." Judges: 19:29
"Forbidding women to learn, adorn themselves, speak in church, or even visit friends." 1 Cor. 14:34-35, 1 Tim. 2:11-12 and 1 Tim:2:9
"Getting your neighbors together to help you stone and burn your children alive." Deut. 13:6-10, Deut. 22:20-21, Deut.21:18-21
There is enormous more of this bias against women but suffice to say, go find it yourself. I know in my heart of hearts that organized religion has and continues to be the supreme enemy of women's rights.
Good luck with the lectures Dr. Dawkins, men of both knowledge and reason are scarce in these troubling times. If you feel somewhat discouraged with our country's mounting ignorance in science and blind faith in religion just remember the old saying whereby one can take a mule to water but he can't make it drink even though it is the most necssary liquid for all life.
"why do I keep reading this kind of whiney rhetoric from atheists as though they are some little band of out-numbered, persecuted freedom fighters for truth."
Of course, what you hear can only be a tiny amount compared with the extremely shrill and pervasive rhetoric of the wacko religious right, pretending they are the arbiters of all truth and passing judgment on those who disagree (even though their Lord commands them not to judge), without offering a shred of credible evidence to support their faith ... EVER.
Science doesn't say god doesn't exist... the study of the real world around us has just showen us all that the bible is a man made piece of sexist hate mongering crap.
This guy is a total wacko and will burn in hell if he doesnt repent for what he is doing. Even He doesnt know how his own theory begun. so i suggest you think twice before believing in this and try reading a better book called the Bible.
The more Dawkins talks, the stupider he makes himself sound. He does a disservice to evolutionary biology and should step down so he can read some Kierkegaard and Chesterton.
If you want a GOOD scientist to do these things, try Francis Collins or Craig Vetner.