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Audiobooks > Social Science >  Violence in Society > The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined Audiobook, by Steven Pinker Play Audiobook Sample

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined Audiobook

By: Steven Pinker
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined Audiobook, by Steven Pinker Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Arthur Morey Publisher: Brilliance Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 24.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 18.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781455839605
4.0035593220339 out of 54.0035593220339 out of 54.0035593220339 out of 54.0035593220339 out of 54.0035593220339 out of 5 (4.00) - 3,068 listener ratings
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Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

99

Longest Chapter Length:

26:00 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

09:26 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

22:20 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

5

Other Audiobooks Written by Steven Pinker: > View All...

Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress Audiobook, by Steven Pinker
The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature Audiobook, by Steven Pinker
The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century Audiobook, by Steven Pinker
Words and Rules: The Ingredients Of Language Audiobook, by Steven Pinker
Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters Audiobook, by Steven Pinker

Publisher 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 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.

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"Pinker's book defies all the media images that have become ingrained in our heads; war, murder, and sadism in general. It is only because we are in the microscope of the present that our world looks so horrific, according to Pinker. A great read, which will turn your thinking on its side."

— Brenda (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “My favorite book of the last decade is Pinker’s Better Angels of Our Nature…[a] profound look at the reduction in violence and discrimination over time.”

    — Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and #1 New York Times bestselling author

  • “An extraordinary range of research…a masterly effort.”

    — Wall Street Journal

  • “A brilliant, mind-altering book…Everyone should read this astonishing book.”

    — The Guardian (London)

  • “A supremely important book. To have command of so much research, spread across so many different fields, is a masterly achievement.”

    — New York Times Book Review

  • “His book should make it much harder for pessimists to cling to their gloomy vision of the future. Whether war is an ancient adaptation or a pernicious cultural infection, we are learning how to overcome it.”

    — Slate

  • “Jammed with facts, figures, and points of speculative departure; a big, complex book, well worth the effort for the good news that it delivers.”

    — Kirkus Reviews

  • “This long, well-researched, comprehensive tour de force provides a helpful look at the human condition.”

    — Booklist

Awards

  • One of the 2011 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction

The Better Angels of Our Nature Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 13
4 Stars: 5
3 Stars: 1
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a book of fascinating ideas argued convincingly. Unfortunately, it is also a book that is about twice as long as it should be. I started each chapter fascinated by the ideas, often bogged down by mid chapter, and sometimes needed to skim through to chapter's end. I felt that much of the material could have been included in an appendix that could be referenced without breaking the narrative flow of the book, and that much more could have been trimmed altogether without harm. Frankly, I believe the book could have been twice as powerful if half as long. Five stars for ideas and content, one for editing. "

    — Theo, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A well written and persuasive pick me up. Also provides for a great opportunity for one to self indulge at the thought of their own place of advanced peacefulness. "

    — Daniel, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " With so many examples and data, Pinker successfully challenges what seems to be common wisdom - that we're becoming more violent. Then he digs into the possible causes of this remarkable decline in violence (especially in the 20th century) - societal & biological. Fascinating read. "

    — Michael, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent book. Very engaging material. Gives hope for the future. "

    — David, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Not exactly about language, but more about its impact on human behavior. A must read for anyone living in the 21st century. "

    — Val, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very long, very interesting; there seems to be hope for the world, his arguments certainly convinced me. "

    — Marion, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Check it out - 802 pages. That's what I'm talking about! Eight hundred and two of those bad boys. "

    — Simon, 9/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Still reading this, but absolutely FASCINATING material so far! Also very easy to digest and understand. "

    — Rachel, 7/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " awesome, well detailed book and a great history lesson "

    — Tim, 7/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " best book i've read in a LONG time. "

    — Graham, 6/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Wow. Give this book a read if you want to feel better about the world. Most things make me feel really pessimistic these days (like environment, economy, oil etc) but at least I can take violence off the list. Thanks, Pinker. "

    — Arthur, 1/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Too long, couldn't finish it but very interesting and thought provoking. "

    — Sarah, 1/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An almost amazing empirical arguement for why civilization is actually LESS violent today then in the past, even the recent (much idealzed) past. A very interesting counter arguement to whar the 24hour news-cycle that would have us believe. "

    — Max, 12/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An outstanding work of science and philosophy. A must-read for the 21st century. "

    — David, 11/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very interesting book showing how humanity as a whole is getting less violent over time "

    — Gareth, 9/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " If you must read one GINORMOUS book this yet--this should be it! "

    — L, 3/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Pinker just edged out Slash for my top 5 people i'd like to share a beer with after this awesome book. "

    — Toby, 11/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A masterpiece of reasoned analysis. Brilliant. "

    — Steve, 10/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Many many reviews and interviews in the media, so no need for a long one here, suffice to say that it was thoroughly engrossing apart from the last 2 chapters, and a real paradigm shifter. "

    — Jim, 10/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The feelgood book of the year. "

    — Neven, 10/3/2011

About Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker is one of the world’s leading authorities on language and the mind. His popular and highly praised books include The Stuff of Thought, The Blank Slate, Words and Rules, How the Mind Works, and The Language Instinct. The recipient of several major awards for his teaching, books, and scientific research, he is Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. He also writes frequently for the New York Times, Time, New Republic, and other magazines.

About Arthur Morey

Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.