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jenmangler's review against another edition
1.0
Underwhelming. I've rarely read a book that made me so angry and yet had so little impact.
roguetomato's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
kitkat962's review against another edition
4.0
I suppose this book was intended for American readers, as there are many references on the Trump government and affairs. Regardless, it was a delightful read. The confirmation bias may lead us to believe the world is in decay, but Steven Pinker showed us a fact-proof celebration of humanity. History and science are interwoven.
I especially like the writing style (very useful for SAT or GRE test takers). But seriously, intricate words are strung seamlessly together. Some of my highlight sentences:
"By wrestling fire from the gods, we have only given our species the means to end its own existence"
"A modicum of anxiety may be the price we pay for the uncertainty of freedom. It is another word for the vigilance, deliberation and heart-search that freedom demands"
I especially like the writing style (very useful for SAT or GRE test takers). But seriously, intricate words are strung seamlessly together. Some of my highlight sentences:
"By wrestling fire from the gods, we have only given our species the means to end its own existence"
"A modicum of anxiety may be the price we pay for the uncertainty of freedom. It is another word for the vigilance, deliberation and heart-search that freedom demands"
chuyita2000's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Great book. Good one to read after Sapiens by Harari. This book is a little more complex and scientific that Sapiens, but just as informative.
lucyismyname's review against another edition
4.0
Ultimately I was convinced that the world is getting better by Pinker’s thorough overview of recent and historical trends. However, Pinker makes what are most likely calculated omissions of phenomena that do not fit into his thesis; for example, there is an entire chapter on inequality with no mention of how inequality negatively effects democracy in the US, and little mention of its effects on class mobility. He also spends half a chapter making snarky comments about how appeasement of ‘justice warriors’ has taken over American universities without any evaluation of the benefits of an education system that reconciles the differences in background and culture of their students and provides leniency for the personal struggles of students.
teokajlibroj's review against another edition
4.0
I'm very impressed with how positive and factual this book is. Usually books are either one or the other, using facts to document a crisis or offering bland optimistic generalities. The world really is improving and we should celebrate this.
However, the chapters on inequality and the environment were flawed. Pinker should have acknowledged that most things are getting better, but not everything. Instead, by defending everything, he cast doubt over the whole book. He seemed willing to cherry-pick statistics to make the environmental situation look better, leaving himself open to the criticism of blind optimism he otherwise avoided.
I did notice that although Pinker strongly promotes the ideas of rationality and debate, he seems unwilling to take criticism. While his argument is made in precise detail, he generalises his critics as hysterical, irrational and foolish, without presenting their argument for us to judge.
A final note is that like other Pinker books, he presents his argument in exhaustive detail and I felt exhausted by the end of it and started skimming. His point was hammered home long before the end of the book. I skipped the bland final argument for enlightenment values because it had already been said.
Overall, an excellent book with only a blemish or two to stop it from being 5 stars.
However, the chapters on inequality and the environment were flawed. Pinker should have acknowledged that most things are getting better, but not everything. Instead, by defending everything, he cast doubt over the whole book. He seemed willing to cherry-pick statistics to make the environmental situation look better, leaving himself open to the criticism of blind optimism he otherwise avoided.
I did notice that although Pinker strongly promotes the ideas of rationality and debate, he seems unwilling to take criticism. While his argument is made in precise detail, he generalises his critics as hysterical, irrational and foolish, without presenting their argument for us to judge.
A final note is that like other Pinker books, he presents his argument in exhaustive detail and I felt exhausted by the end of it and started skimming. His point was hammered home long before the end of the book. I skipped the bland final argument for enlightenment values because it had already been said.
Overall, an excellent book with only a blemish or two to stop it from being 5 stars.
tonyleachsf's review against another edition
5.0
Full of optimism and rationality. Well supported by facts, not driven by fear. Tears apart nearly all ideologies in support of reason. Everyone should read this.