Evolution is perhaps the most well-supported theory of modern science, yet many still doubt its veracity. Dawkins writes with a casual, approachable style that explains exactly what evolution is, why it works, and describes the mountain of evidence supporting it.

The title refers to an old analogy which argues that a watch is too complex to be made by natural processes, and therefore, the extence of a watch implies the existence of a watchmaker.

A similar and more direct argument would be to gaze at the natural beauty of, say, Yosemite, and consider that the pleasing shape of the mountains could not possibly have been the random action of errosion, the colorful fields of flowers the result of random scattering of seeds, or the meandering rivers the natural result of water seeking a route downhill to the ocean. The beauty and complexity of the scene, by this thiking, could not exist without having been painted by the world-making brush of a divine creator or comparable being.

Of course this argument is flawed in that it appeals to our intuition, not evidence. Just because a watch is made by a watchmaker does not mean that Yosemtie valley was made by a valley-maker, or that the universe was made by a universe-maker.