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.

Amazing!

Really pulls back the curtain on all the bunk you hear in the media and social platforms.

Factual, accurate and optimistic

This is one of the most powerful and enlightening books, told in an engaging and listenable manner. We seem to be programmed to think things are going to hell in a hand basket, when a rational historical investigation by Pinker justifies the opposite conclusion. All is not good and never will be, but it’s important to ponder the reality of the amazing reduction in violence and improvements in the lives of most people compared to the distant and even fairly recent past. Pass this book on to your friends and enemies!

Fantastic but long

Fascinating, well researched and well delivered. Material is dense. A good fit for an academic setting or slow read with a book club. It is a long listen!

Gripping information, excellent narration

The ideas and data presented in this book made correlations against many commonly held norms of violence in today's world. It offended me at times and pleased me at times. I'm glad to new perspectives to use to think through current events. This was an excellent listen!

Good Perspective on Current Trends

Really interesting perspective on where we're headed as a society. Despite the natural tendency to see anecdotal evidence as evidence to the contrary. This appears to be a long-term trend! Hopefully we're not just in a lull between storms.

A positive book

This book was really gripping. It really made me think about the way I think about this world. All the best books are like that. This book will stay with me forever.

Enlightening

What a book! I had serious doubts (until I read this book) about modernity, the prevalence of violence and liberalism in general. As it turns out, my gut instinct and the prevailing popular opinion were both duped by the sensationalist news media and by radical religious sects, who claim to have a corner on morality and civility. Life changing read.

My worldview is forever changed

I was raised in a conservative evangelical Christian tradition that viewed the world as the handmaiden of Satan, and my salvation at perpetual risk due to the wickedness of world forces.

Being a software developer who eats and breathes logic and rationality on a daily basis, I am overjoyed to have learned that the facts show my religious upbringing to be the sham I've long believed it to be.

The world is better than ever. Not problem free (nor is it it likely ever to be), but much, much better.

Thank you Mr. Pinker. My worldview is forever changed and I forever in your debt.

What a great book!

I enjoyed this great book about connecting knowledge. Great book and enjoyable listen. Highly recommended!! #Inspiring #SelfDiscovery #Provocative #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Great Book

This should be a must read for everyone who wants to understand the world and its people.