"The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins

I started reading this book a long time ago, but it is not the easiest book to read, though Dr. Dawkins is trying to make evolutionary mathematics accessible by the regular popular science reader.  Although it took some time it was eye-opening, especially in the areas of the reasons for genetic altruism, which one can perceive as a critique or explanation of the core and extended family relations and maybe even why you feel love for your close relatives, the closer the genetic relations - the stronger the love.  Dr. Dawkins' main hypothesis is that evolution is driven on the level of genes, not organisms, and that we, humans, and all other organisms are merely "vehicles" for the survival and propagation of genes.

Dr. Dawkins shows that most established group dynamics and other social groups and relationships are not the result of "independent" altruism, but a result of "Evolutionary Stable Strategy" or ESS which has been achieved by the quality of the relationships among the individual of the group, and the main criteria is always the survival and propagation of the gene itself.  In that sense Dr. Dawkins calls the gene "selfish", although he suggests that a  better title for the book would be "The Immortal Gene".  While making the gene the atomic force behind driving evolution forward, the author still concedes that in most combinations, what is best for the gene is also best for the larger organism or "vehicle" of the gene, though this is not always the case.

This is Dr. Dawkins' first book and already his dynamic style can be glimpsed, which makes for a better reading than most popular science books.  Since the publication in 1976 Dr. Dawkins has published many other influential books but this one would be remembered as the one which launched his career.  One can witness the development of the first stages of his recent atheist crusade already in this book, and some of the ideas are presented, though the book is definitely about biology and evolution and not atheism or religion.  Overall an enjoyable and enlightening reading, if a little difficult at times.