Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

📝 Rutger Bregman’s Humankind is a hopeful, evidence-based look at human nature—proving that people are kinder and more cooperative than we think.
What if human nature is not as selfish and violent as we've been taught? In Humankind, historian Rutger Bregman challenges centuries of cynicism and argues that people are, at their core, deeply cooperative, kind, and resilient. Drawing from psychology, history, and real-world examples—from the real-life “Lord of the Flies” to World War II survival stories—Bregman makes a compelling case that our natural instincts lean toward empathy, not cruelty. Uplifting, provocative, and deeply researched, Humankind is a bold reassessment of what it means to be human—and why hope is more realistic than we think.
 
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
Flips the script on the “selfish human” narrative
Blends academic research with accessible storytelling
Inspiring and optimistic without being naive
Ideal for fans of Yuval Noah Harari, Steven Pinker, or Malcolm Gladwell
🌟 Notable Reviews
⭐ “A radical rethinking of human nature—brilliant and uplifting.” — The Guardian
⭐ “Bregman is the voice of hope in a world of cynicism.” — NPR
⭐ “Thought-provoking, readable, and surprisingly comforting.” — The Washington Post
📌 Perfect For
Readers of psychology, sociology, and big-idea nonfiction
Fans of hopeful, human-centered history
Book clubs looking for inspiring, conversation-starting reads