A brief review of Humankind

I finished Humankind by Rutger Bregman a few moments ago. In my mind, it was a spectacular book. The author’s ready reflections on his own experience as an experienced cynic (in reform) along with the same classical example vs counterexample format that worked so well for discussions of misconceptions in Dawn of Everything (not a novel format for sure, but especially useful in this context) made Humankind an immensely consumable read; one that conveys a wealth of background, academic context, and applicable analysis, but all presented in a format that was engaging as someone in need of both this particular kind of reflection, as well as one in need of just a good book to read in the time I devote to reading.

Generally, I had no complaints and I would readily recommend it for self-described progressive cynics, fans of human history (whether it’s Sapiens or DoE or…) or personal/interpersonal behavioral stuff (e.g., The Body Keeps the Score), or for those kinds of people to recommend to the more intellectually honest amongst the staunch believers that human nature is selfish and dangerous. Maybe I’ll give my dad a copy.