The better angels of our nature: why violence has declined
(Book)
Author:
Published:
New York : Viking, 2011.
Physical Desc:
xxviii, 802 pages : ill., maps ; 25 cm
Status:
Arcade
303.609 P655 2011
Description
“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 Rationality and Enlightenment Now offers a provocative and surprising 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 millenia 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, gruesom 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 esesnce 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.
—Bill Gates (May, 2017)
Selected by The New York Times Book Review as a Notable Book of the Year
The author of Rationality and Enlightenment Now offers a provocative and surprising 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 millenia 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, gruesom 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 esesnce 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.
Copies
Location
Call Number
Status
Arcade
303.609 P655 2011
On Shelf
Location
Call Number
Status
Folsom Adult
303.609 PIN 2011
Due Apr 13, 2024
Sutter County Main Branch
303.609 PIN
On Shelf
Woodland Public Library
303.609 Pin 2011
On Shelf
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More Details
Format:
Book
Language:
English
ISBN:
9780670022953, 9780143122012, 0143122010
Notes
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. 697-771) and index.
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Citations
APA Citation (style guide)
Pinker, S. (2011). The better angels of our nature: why violence has declined. New York, Viking.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)Pinker, Steven, 1954-. 2011. The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. New York, Viking.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)Pinker, Steven, 1954-, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. New York, Viking, 2011.
MLA Citation (style guide)Pinker, Steven. The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. New York, Viking, 2011.
Note! Citation formats are based on standards as of July 2022. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy.
Staff View
Grouped Work ID:
77608b52-ba1b-5f8e-2441-95af39c058c7
Record Information
Last Sierra Extract Time | Apr 16, 2024 06:11:55 AM |
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Last File Modification Time | Apr 16, 2024 06:14:23 AM |
Last Grouped Work Modification Time | Apr 18, 2024 02:10:20 AM |
MARC Record
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