59 pages 1 hour read

Rutger Bregman

Humankind: A Hopeful History

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2019

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In an intellectual landscape dominated by bleak takes on human nature, Rutger Bregman's Humankind: A Hopeful History offers a counter-narrative that argues for humanity's inherent kindness and cooperative behavior, using historical accounts, psychological research, and real-world case studies. Bregman critiques widely-accepted experiments and societal structures that paint a pessimistic view of human nature, and he advocates for policies and systems that prioritize trust and collaboration. Sensitive topics such as World War II and atrocities are explored in the book.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Rutger Bregman's Humankind challenges the perception of human nature as inherently selfish, presenting evidence of widespread cooperation and kindness. Critics praise its hopeful outlook and extensive research but note it occasionally oversimplifies complex issues. Overall, it offers a refreshing, optimistic view of humanity while inviting deeper reflections on societal structures.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Humankind?

Readers who appreciate Humankind by Rutger Bregman tend to be intellectually curious and optimistic about human nature. They enjoy thought-provoking narratives similar to Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens. These readers often seek compelling arguments challenging conventional pessimism about humanity.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

History: World

Psychology

Philosophy

Genre

Dutch Literature

Anthropology

Psychology

Themes

Society: Community

Society: Politics & Government

Values/Ideas: Good & Evil