The Greatest Show on Earth

Having just finished "The Greatest Show on Earth" on the evidence for evolution (I finished reading it, that is - I believe Richard Dawkins wrote it)  - how could anyone doubt it?  An argument which marshals the evidence well and strikingly.  Blows up the whole of creationism and "Intelligent Design".  Shame none of their proponents will read it.

A few random thoughts:

• He still comes across as remarkably vain.  Although I sometimes get the impression that, deep down, he wishes he was Douglas Adams.  But then, let's face it, don't we all wish he was.
• The behaviour of the Ichneumon Wasp may have troubled Darwin when it came to thinking about the existence of God, but when all's said and done - it's still the Problem of Pain, just written in a striking way.  My 2-pennorth: I reckon the real problem most Victorian gentlemen had with God, is that God isn't, wasn't and never will be a Victorian gentleman.  Let's face it, he'd look ridiculous with a top hat.  God, that is.  I bet Prof Dawkins would look pretty striking.
• Two striking illustrations against intelligent design involve the unnecessarily convoluted (in purely design terms) routes that certain bodily - well, let's say pipes - take in their journeys round the body.  The arguments are sound, but I wouldn't like to be Prof Dawkins's plumber or electrician.  You'd be forever ripping out the whole house just to install a new outside tap or light switch.
• In the Appendix, the good Professor comments (rightly) that there are misleading results from a survey because the questions were over-polarised - you either believe in Evolution or you believe God interfered.  Ironic, really, given that his latest article in the Times involves just that kind of polarisation.  But then he could've done without the polarisation of opinion in that evolution survey, because more reasonable people would vote with him if the options were better-nuanced.

So overall, I'd rate it a curate's egg.  Read the scientific arguments, they're well put - and ignore the "jokes" and vanity.
And, for what it's worth, I reckon that penguins are at the South Pole because they all got off the Ark and turned left.  The polar bears, Noah cunningly shepherded them out to the right.  Because he knew that in fact, they can get the wrappers off.