Who was Charles Darwin, and how did he conceive his revolutionary idea? How does evolution work? Most important, why does it matter? Darwin's treatise, On the Origin of Species, represented the culmination of years of research and thought. And, the evidence confirming natural selection has continued to mount.

As a product of natural selection, the human species has nevertheless managed to transcend the evolutionary process by developing altruism. Dawkins explores the social and political implications of evolution--and how some proponents have misused science to promote genocide, eugenics, and ethnic cleansing.

Despite overwhelming evidence, many religious fundamentalists around the world refuse to accept evolution. Face to face, Dawkins takes on those who would deny or attack Darwin's idea. Finally, Dawkins explains how people might find consolation in the idea of a world ruled by brutal natural forces rather than benign Creator.