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.

Thought-provoking.

A mammoth 40 hours of listening, Pinker leaves no stone untouched. The stories about how violent the world used to be is disturbing and the theories about the decline of violence is fascinating.

Would be better if abridged.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I strongly recommend this book. It is a well defended thesis. Probably too well defended, the book could have used an editor, or an abridged version.

Long read but well worth it.

This book gives a thorough survey of how violence has affected human history and the causes that brought about this violence and the reduction of it in recent decades. It answers the truism that "Society is worse now than ever and that it is falling apart" by showing that, in fact the quality fo life of most people today is better that ever. More importantly it delves into the reasons for this. Not only socially but also psychologically. Why do we commit violence? Why do we stop ourselves from being violent? It is at once optimistic and yet challenges the reader to confront those dark parts of our nature that result in everything from homicide to genocide to sadism.

The book is a tough read because it is long and meticulous but the author does a good job of keeping it engaging. As he states at the beginning: "This is a long book... but it has to be." The reader works very well for the material.

AN AWESOME HISTORY LESSON

What did you love best about The Better Angels of Our Nature?

What I liked about the book was how the author explained in detail why violence has gone even when people think that is goes up.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't have a favorite character. This is a non-fiction book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Comparing the differences between now and then.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and I didn't cry.

The most incredible book I have ever read

I have read this book twice because I really wanted to cement everything this book taught me. After reading this book I lost all the racism I still harbored, it convinced me to throw the towel in with my religion and I'm scared to admit I think I'm a democrat now. None of this was the point of the book but it was a very powerful book that makes you realize how much of what you think you know is only the popular opinion of the day.

Perfect

Best book I've ever read. Should be required reading for every citizen of the world

well worth the listen, as it will change your view

listening to this book will change how you view the direction of humanity and challenge your understanding of where we are headed.

Data driven and eloquently worded

Phenomenal piece of rating. It's very data heavy, structured excellently, and covers an unthinkably vast number of relevant topics.

Great thesis for the decline of violence throughout history. I'm certainly convinced.

There's 1 intro chapter, 5 chapters of the history of violence, 2 chapters on human nature, and 1 concluding chapter

Well researched documentation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, as there is so much to learn about ourselves as humans and the result is so hopeful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Better Angels of Our Nature?

There were so many, almost every study described was an enlightenment.

What does Arthur Morey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice and diction.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Civilization comes to middle-age and maturity.

absolutely brilliant

the best book I've ever listened to. hands down. must become required reading for everybody.