{"product_id":"the-rational-optimist-how-prosperity-evolves-9780061452062","title":"The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"A delightful and fascinating book filled with insight and wit, which will make you think twice and cheer up.\" -- Steven Pinker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn a bold and provocative interpretation of economic history, Matt Ridley, the \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e-bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eGenome\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Red Queen\u003c\/em\u003e, makes the case for an economics of hope, arguing that the benefits of commerce, technology, innovation, and change--what Ridley calls cultural evolution--will inevitably increase human prosperity. Fans of the works of Jared Diamond (\u003cem\u003eGuns, Germs, and Steel\u003c\/em\u003e), Niall Ferguson (\u003cem\u003eThe Ascent of Money\u003c\/em\u003e), and Thomas Friedman (\u003cem\u003eThe World Is Flat\u003c\/em\u003e) will find much to ponder and enjoy in \u003cem\u003eThe Rational Optimist.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor two hundred years the pessimists have dominated public discourse, insisting that things will soon be getting much worse. But in fact, life is getting better--and at an accelerating rate. Food availability, income, and life span are up; disease, child mortality, and violence are down all across the globe. Africa is following Asia out of poverty; the Internet, the mobile phone, and container shipping are enriching people's lives as never before.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn astute, refreshing, and revelatory work that covers the entire sweep of human history--from the Stone Age to the Internet--\u003cem\u003eThe Rational Optimist\u003c\/em\u003e will change your way of thinking about the world for the better.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRidley, Matt:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eMatt Ridley is the author of books that have sold well over a million copies in 32 languages: THE RED QUEEN, THE ORIGINS OF VIRTUE, GENOME, NATURE VIA NURTURE, FRANCIS CRICK, THE RATIONAL OPTIMIST, THE EVOLUTION OF EVERYTHING, and HOW INNOVATION WORKS. In his bestseller GENOME and in his biography of Francis Crick, he showed an ability to translate the details of genomic discoveries into understandable and exciting stories. During the current pandemic, he has written essays for the \u003cem\u003eWall Street Journal \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eThe Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e about the origin and genomics of the virus. His most recent WSJ piece appeared on January 16, 2021. He is a member of the House of Lords in the UK. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harper Perennial","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50604714098962,"sku":"9780061452062","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_2e9d6b1c-2fe4-4659-85bf-2a11e070e354.jpg?v=1732263417","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-rational-optimist-how-prosperity-evolves-9780061452062","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}