A Devil's Chaplain is an excellent collection of Dawkin's writing, ranging across the topics of genetics, memetics, pseudoscience, religion, terrorism and the nature of life itself. This is a field trip through Dawkin's mind, including letters to the prime minister, introductions to the books of others, and pieces that have appeared in popular print. His eulogy for his good friend Douglas Adams is particularly touching, and no less so is his treatment of his late rival, Stephen Jay Gould. But the best is saved for last, with his incredible piece entitled A Prayer for my Daughter, in which he tries to prepare his young child for the world of deception that lies ahead, and arm her against it.
This is the quintessential introduction to Dawkins, and shows that he is more than just an outspoken advocate of humanism and reason - he is a loyal friend, an attentive father, a loving husband, and when the ocassion calls for it, a fierce champion for the truth. If you have never read Dawkins before, I would highly recommend that this is where you start.
