Actually Quote by Richard Dawkins
“I don't actually think 'The Selfish Gene' is a very good title. I think that's one of my worst titles.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: BBC Radio, 1990
Criticizes his own book title as poor, reflecting self‑critique.
In simple terms: He dislikes the title “The Selfish Gene.”
Key Takeaway
Consider titles that accurately reflect content.
Themes
self‑critique
communication
branding
science
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- publishing
- marketing
- academic outreach
- public talks
Key Concepts
naming
public perception
authorial doubt
Questions to Reflect On
- How important is a title for a book’s impact?
- What alternative titles could work better?
A Different Perspective
A title may still succeed despite author’s dislike.
![“A foreign publisher of my first book [ The Selfish Gene ] confessed that he could not sleep for three nights after reading it, so troubled was he by what he saw as its cold, bleak message. Others have asked me how I can bear to get up in the mornings. A teacher from a distant country wrote to me…” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/765/richard-dawkins-115_book_a-foreign-publisher-of-my-first-book-the_51527.jpg)
