The Better Angels of Our Nature

Why Violence Has Declined

By: Steven Pinker

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 36 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

“If I could give each of you a graduation present, it would be this - the most inspiring book I've ever read." - Bill Gates (May, 2017)

Selected by The New York Times Book Review as a Notable Book of the Year

The author of Enlightenment Now and The New York Times bestseller The Stuff of Thought offers a controversial history of violence.

Faced with the ceaseless stream of news about war, crime, and terrorism, one could easily think we live in the most violent age ever seen. Yet as New York Times bestselling author Steven Pinker shows in this startling and engaging new work, just the opposite is true: violence has been diminishing for millennia and we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species's existence. For most of history, war, slavery, infanticide, child abuse, assassinations, programs, gruesome punishments, deadly quarrels, and genocide were ordinary features of life. But today, Pinker shows (with the help of more than a hundred graphs and maps) all these forms of violence have dwindled and are widely condemned. How has this happened?

This groundbreaking book continues Pinker's exploration of the essence of human nature, mixing psychology and history to provide a remarkable picture of an increasingly nonviolent world. The key, he explains, is to understand our intrinsic motives - the inner demons that incline us toward violence and the better angels that steer us away - and how changing circumstances have allowed our better angels to prevail. Exploding fatalist myths about humankind's inherent violence and the curse of modernity, this ambitious and provocative book is sure to be hotly debated in living rooms and the Pentagon alike, and will challenge and change the way we think about our society.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2011 by Steven Pinker. (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

What it means to be human - we can have peace - now

Steven Pinker has done a brilliant job of analyzing the history of war and violence among the human race. His attention to detail and thoughtful, yet understandable explanations of the psychology and science make this a must read for all human beings. Democracy, gentle exchange, empathy, and reason are significant contributors to our become a more peaceful species. The Better Angels of Our Nature gives me hope and inspires me to work for peace and equality and to speak out for diversity and equality for all and to share the message that we do live in the best of times in all of history.

Riveting

I can’t begin to tell you how much Pinker’s books have changed my perspectives on history and the human condition. Facts matter- and he’s relentless in his employment of them to demonstrate how good we have it now, and how far we’ve travelled to get there.

An investment in the future of human kind

A truly amazing work of presentation and scholarship. A work that takes an investment of time, effort, and letting go of myths and assumptions of the human history. An overview of the best data available to clearly demonstrate that violence has declined over history for or species. For me it took great effort to see what I had perceived and believed to be the best and preferred view of history, religion, and raw data to see a new reality. It is well worth the effort and a study that invests in my own mental, moral, and spiritual development. I would like thank Steven Pinker for his efforts and gentle guidance to help me change my world view and to Arthur Morey for a super presentation. Enjoy if you have the courage to see the new world and the hope of what is possible. Encourage the education of all beings, especially the women.

Provocative and timely

What made the experience of listening to The Better Angels of Our Nature the most enjoyable?

Steven Pinker deeply understands his subject matter and is brilliant in conveying it. Fascinating to realize that the world is becoming a less and less violent place - just the opposite of what is shown on tv news..

Any additional comments?

In his effort to be thorough and completely examine and explain his subject, Pinker is, at times, overly long, and that contributes to the overall length book. Never tedious, Pinker is exactingly and exhaustively thorough.

great info

loved it...life changing. this book really changed my outlook on the way we live today and I have a newly found positivity.

Hopeful

Fascinating data driven discussion of violence that left me hopeful about our collective capacity to rise above violence.

Extremely insightful

Very in depth. Well thought out with a high emphasis on research, statistics, and historical record.

Will change the way you look at the world.

Surrounded by media outlets that capture our attention via violent headlines, it's easy to let this negativity bias endow us with a pessimistic view of the world. Pinker takes this misconception about the world and flips it on it's head, showing conclusively that the trend is in the opposite direction. A close examination of the data shows that the world has continued to become more peaceful, and Pinker masterfully explores exogenous factors responsible for this positive trend.

Best book I've read in years

I can't stop thinking about some of the information in this outstanding book. I wish it were required reading for everyone but in particular for our senior elected officials.

I bought the paper copy of the book so I could go back over some of the information and highlight some of the key lessons of our history of violence as well as what can be done to further decrease it.

Audible book

This book was a fantastic compilation of statistics and information. The orator made the book easy to listen to and interesting. Not sure it would have been an easy read.