The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
by Steven Pinker
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker holds a highly rated rating of 4.19 out of 5, based on 11.4K reader ratings. First published in 2010. The book spans 802 pages.
About The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
Selected by The New York Times Book Review as a Notable Book of the Year. The author of 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, pogroms, 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.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Steven Pinker |
| Published | 2010 |
| Pages | 802 |
| Kindle Price | $16.99 |
| Genres | History, Psychology, Science, Non-Fiction, Philosophy |
| Average Rating | 4.19 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 11,437 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined?
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined is categorized as History, Psychology, Science, Non-Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Philosophy.
Is The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined worth reading?
Based on 11.4K reader ratings, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined has an average score of 4.19 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined?
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined has 802 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined?
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined was written by Steven Pinker. It was first published in 2010.
What is the ISBN for The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined?
The ISBN-13 for The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined is 9780670022950.0.
How much does The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined cost on Kindle?
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined is available on Kindle for $16.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
