kurt_von_nugget's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Favorite book of the year. Recommended to anyone who is in the literate 87% of humanity, until it becomes >99%.
holdenn93's review against another edition
4.0
As the title suggests, theres a lot packed in this book. An easily accessible way to look at the last few hundred years of secular and logical thought, examining Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress each in turn, and their benefits in modern times.
spacegrass's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
msbananananner's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
macosgrove's review against another edition
5.0
The first part of the book seemed a lot like his previous book, Better Angels, but looking at a wider variety of measures of progress rather than just violence. I enjoyed the second half more, relating progress to humanism.
cpoole's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
kfrig's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 - Still digesting this book but overall I found this book very interesting. I learned A.LOT. As a data oriented person I found the presentation of themes based on data to be just what I needed in a world that seems to mainly praise ideas presented with oversimplified argument, less rooted in data.
Listened on audio but plan to buy the book so that I can re-read and digest some parts further. Would have awarded a 5, but some (but a minority) of the thoughts seem to be an overgeneralization. Perhaps at the time of publishing they were not overgeneralizations, but now, in 2020, seem to be. If you like data and are open minded enough to hear things with which you both agree and disagree you will find this book valuable. RECOMMEND!
Listened on audio but plan to buy the book so that I can re-read and digest some parts further. Would have awarded a 5, but some (but a minority) of the thoughts seem to be an overgeneralization. Perhaps at the time of publishing they were not overgeneralizations, but now, in 2020, seem to be. If you like data and are open minded enough to hear things with which you both agree and disagree you will find this book valuable. RECOMMEND!
abrswf's review against another edition
5.0
This is a cogent, often funny, fascinating and eye opening book about how science, humanism and education have made and continue to make life much better— and will leave nationalist reactionaries like Trump on the ash heap of history. Reading it left me feeling much more informed and hopeful. It isn’t a perfect book. Obviously that people are better off now doesn’t mean we have achieved peace, eliminated racism and sexism, alleviated poverty enough, or eradicated governmental corruption—and Pinker cherry picks his information to skip too lightly over these concerns. Plus, as he fully acknowledges, global warming is a current and mortal threat. And I confess I don’t care about the academic infighting that seems to loom large for Pinker — it isn’t news that there are idiots in all walks of life, including in university faculties. Finally, I found Pinker’s attacks on almost any form of religious belief, no matter how benign or humanistic, illiberal and irritating. But having said that there is plenty of truth in his criticisms of religious extremism, past and modern. And these criticisms aside, I highly recommend this mostly very informative and timely work.
erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review against another edition
4.0
Have I read anything else from this author? No. I have a copy of [b:How the Mind Works|835623|How the Mind Works|Steven Pinker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387741747l/835623._SY75_.jpg|2085667] but I've only read pieces, never the whole book.
Was this book enjoyable? Most of it was enjoyable. Its overall tone is hopeful. More than anything, it's informative.
Did I learn anything new from this book? Yes, I learned many facts.
Where did I get this book? I borrowed this audio book from my local library using the Libby app.
Was this book enjoyable? Most of it was enjoyable. Its overall tone is hopeful. More than anything, it's informative.
Did I learn anything new from this book? Yes, I learned many facts.
Where did I get this book? I borrowed this audio book from my local library using the Libby app.