Les - No...I haven't read Dawkins' book. I've been too busy reading a variety of other books I am probably more interested in. I may get around to reading Dawkins at some point. I can't comment on his definition of "God" since I am unacquainted with it. I suspect it's different from my definition...most likely...but that's just a guess on my part.

You say: "am I correct in thinking that most believe that 'god' created the Universe and intervens in it sometimes on a human and personal level?

Is that a reasonable sort of basic level understanding or definition of god?"

Well, yes, a good many religious people make sort of general assumptions along that line...with a lot of variance in how they imagine that it would take place...

One might assume that "God" created the Universe in 7 days! Another might assume that the "7 days" is metaphorical and symbolizes a period of millions of years, and development of the Universe as we know it through 7 epochs of millions of years.

One might assume that God is male. Another might assume that God is female. Another might assume that God is both male and female. Another might assume that God is beyond gender. Another might assume that God deals with people personally, another might assume that he/she/it does not deal with people personally, but as an overriding principle rather than a personal contact.

Another might assume that God made the world without the process we term evolution. Another might assume that evolution is a normal part of the ongoing creative process.

And so on...and so on...

Still others might assume nothing...but merely say, I think it might be this or that...but I can't say I know that it is, because the fact is: I don't know. I just think it might be.

All these possibilities rest within the field of religious thought, spiritual thought, and philosophical thought, and an open-minded person must, in fact, be willing to at least consider them...or he is not an open-minded person...he's a closed book.

You find those closed-book people among both religious fanatics and atheist fanatics.

Dawkins does not sound to me like an atheist fanatic, but he does appear to be a man with a mission...and I'm curious what it is that has prompted his particular mission.

Best wishes also. ;-)