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Comments (17)

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Jan 30, 2023davidgut76 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Generally an excellent book backed up by substantial research. Pinker goes into so much detail on much of the research that he highlights many interesting other implications which are unrelated to the reduction in violence.…
Jan 17, 2022SunsetBranch rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
One surprising and unexpected revelation after another. Just goes to show you have to keep an open mind
Jul 26, 2021blue_cat_13302 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The idea, shown to be fact, that violence has declined throughout history has many implications about our understanding of the present. The systems and institutions of modernity, such as capitalism to liberal democracy, are not profound…
May 01, 2020mJJLnk7 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A tome. I mean, a tome. And I agree with ninety percent of what he means. And read 20% of it. Thanks, man. We need even Canadians. To blame.
Apr 16, 2020
Years ago my Dad told me that things in general were getting better, public opinion notwithstanding. I have tried to keep an open mind on the subject ever since. He used the examples of pollution (that automobile exhaust, though not…
Nov 24, 2019Luckybe rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A truly fascinating read with lots of quality data to support arguments. What I found most interesting is the idea that “religion” is not the taming force so often claimed by those who make that claim, but has actually been a primary…
Sep 08, 2014
Again, I repeat that I both like and admire and respect Prof. Pinker, but it's 2014 in America and this country/society still has child labor, slavery both economic and in the form of human trafficking [did not George W. Bush attempt to…
Sep 08, 2014AHylaEHoldorf rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Much of the criticism of the book is aimed at a point its author never makes: that to chart violence's historical decline is to minimize present-day atrocities. No one says 20th- or 21st-century violence is excusably small-scale. Instead,…
Jul 29, 2013binational rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Not without flaws, but the principal thesis and the wealth of data in support of it is persuasive and contrary to much of what is popularly believed. A hugely optimistic read.
MelissaMcCarthy
May 30, 2013MelissaMcCarthy rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I wanted to like this book. I really did. But it is far too methodologically sloppy. His basic point is probably sound, but he makes broad assertions (such as Jesus being a copy of various Greek gods - a thoroughly debunked idea) with…
Apr 20, 2013
Personally speaking, I greatly like Prof. Pinker, having spoken with him on several occasions (one being a book signing of his), but I find this one optimistic book of his falling woefully short of his previous ones, too much data out…
Mar 20, 2013wilbur2010 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
For a book about violence this was incredibly uplifting. I appreciate Pinker's habit of preempting as many counter-arguments as possible. Many of the negative reviews I've seen appear to be from people making arguments he already…
Mar 20, 2013Cyborg_Kid rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a terrific book and it should be taught in high school. Excellent writing skills and very well-researched. an important book with an optimistic message.
filmguy86
Jul 22, 2012filmguy86 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
It's amazing. And I agree that it is the most important read this century. Thank you NYPL and Steven Pinker for making this book available and accessible. I've waited my whole life for this book and I recorded a journal of its lessons…
May 16, 2012stewstealth rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
An excellent book that is worth reading by everyone. The author includes many pop culture references that make this a more enjoyable read with out sacrificing the somber tone of the material. The author shows that violence has declined…
Feb 09, 2012michxiaoli rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I was not impressed by this book. It probably would have benefited from a better editor; I noticed a spelling mistake in the first chapter. Once I reached the point where the author made the assertion that over 100 million girls in the…
Nov 08, 2011mikeroyal rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
the most important book of this century