Overview

"From the author of the New York Times bestseller Utopia for Realists, a ""bold"" (Daniel H. Pink), ""provocative"" (Adam Grant) argument that our innate goodness and cooperation have been the greatest factors in humanity's success. If there is one belief that has united the left and the right, psychologists and philosophers, ancient thinkers and modern ones, it is the tacit assumption that humans are bad. It's a notion that drives newspaper headlines and guides the laws that shape 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. But what if it isn't true? International bestseller Rutger Bregman provides new perspective on the past 200,000 years of human history, setting out to prove that we are hardwired for kindness, geared toward cooperation rather than competition, and more inclined to trust rather than distrust one another. In fact this instinct has a firm evolutionary basis going back to the beginning of Homo sapiens. From the real-life Lord of the Flies to the solidarity in the aftermath of the Blitz, the hidden flaws in the Stanford prison experiment to the true story of twin brothers on opposite sides who helped Mandela end apartheid, Bregman shows us that believing in human generosity and collaboration isn't merely optimistic---it's realistic. Moreover, it has huge implications for how society functions. When we think the worst of people, it brings out the worst in our politics and economics. But if we believe in the reality of humanity's kindness and altruism, it will form the foundation for achieving true change in society, a case that Bregman makes convincingly with his signature wit, refreshing frankness, and memorable storytelling."

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9781549159862

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Reviews

"""An in-depth overview of what is wrong with the idea is that we humans are by nature bad and unreliable...and offers us a more optimistic view of mankind."" -- ""Frans de Waal, New York Times bestselling author"" ""Bregman argues that believing in human kindness is a foundation for lasting social change."" -- ""USA Today"" ""It's entertaining, uplifting, and very likely to reach the broad audience it court...This book might just make the world a kinder place."" -- ""Daily Telegraph (London)"" ""Made me see humanity from a fresh perspective. I warmly recommend it to others."" -- ""Yuval Noah Harari, #1 New York Times bestselling author "" ""The breakthrough thinking we've been looking for to activate and energize millions to live more sustainably, vote for climate action, and raise their voice for the future."" -- ""Forbes"" ""Using history to give the rest of us a chance to build a much better future than we can presently imagine."" -- ""Timothy Snyder, New York Times bestselling author"""

I greatly enjoyed reading Humankind, a challenging book which made me see humanity from a fresh perspective. I warmly recommend it to others, and I trust it will stir a lot of fruitful discussions. -- Yuval Noah Harari, #1 New York Times bestselling author Rutger Bregman is out on his own, thinking for himself, using history to give the rest of us a chance to build a much better future than we can presently imagine. -- Timothy Snyder, New York Times bestselling author Humankind is an in-depth overview of what is wrong with the idea is that we humans are by nature bad and unreliable. In vivid descriptions and stories, Rutger Bregman takes us back to the questionable experiments that fed this idea and offers us a more optimistic view of mankind. -- Frans de Waal, New York Times bestselling author

Author Information

Rutger Bregman is a journalist at The Correspondent, and one of Europe's most prominent young thinkers. He has published four books on history, philosophy, and economics. His last book, Utopia for Realists, was New York Times paperback bestseller, and his History of Progress was awarded the Belgian Liberales prize for best nonfiction book of 2013. Bregman has twice been nominated for the European Press Prize. Thomas Judd is a voice talent and Earphones Award-winning audio narrator.

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