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Humankind

A Hopeful History

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About this listen

A Guardian Book to Look Out For in 2020

'Humankind challenged me and made me see humanity from a fresh perspective' Yuval Noah Harari

From 'the folk hero of Davos', Fox News antagonist and author of the international bestseller Utopia for Realists comes a radical history of our innate capacity for kindness.

It's a belief that unites the left and right, psychologists and philosophers, writers and historians. It drives the headlines that surround us and the laws that touch our lives. From Machiavelli to Hobbes, Freud to Pinker, the roots of this belief have sunk deep into Western thought. Human beings, we're taught, are by nature selfish and governed primarily by self-interest.

Providing a new historical perspective on the last 200,000 years of human history, Humankind makes a new argument: that it is realistic, as well as revolutionary, to assume that people are good. When we think the worst of others, it brings out the worst in our politics and economics too.

In this major book, internationally bestselling author Rutger Bregman shows how believing in human kindness and altruism can be a new way to think – and act as the foundation for achieving true change in our society.

It is time for a new view of human nature.

©2020 Rutger Bregman (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 20th Century Economics Education Ethics & Morality Modern Philosophy Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Thought-Provoking Inspiring Heartfelt Feel-Good Social justice Capitalism
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A welcoming change in perspective on the negative views we’re faced with day to day.

Everyone should read this.

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Having listened to it just once, I intend to listen to it again in order to digest the contents. Hobbes rather than Rousseau has probably influenced my outlook more than I realised.

IMO Studying and discussing this book with other people would be fruitful.

Potentially life changing

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Brilliant opening and premise. Well researched. Keeps getting more interesting. v uplifting . Everyone should read it.

important book

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This superb book contradicts the seemingly overwhelming view that humans are creatures of conflict and greed. It gives real hope that a kind and decent world exists and that if we focus on the good then we can achieve so much more.

A book for our times

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It confirmed what I knew in my heart to be true but had had covered by a lifetime of bombardment from establishment thinking. Every human should read this.

Every human should read this

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