{"product_id":"the-rational-optimist-matt-ridley-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\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Matt Ridley\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0061452068\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780061452062\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Harper Perennial\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/07\/2011\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 480\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.80lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.90h x 5.20w x 1.20d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/21\/2011 pg. 32","brand":"Matt Ridley","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44050330190079,"sku":"9780061452062","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_b1a5ea59-3038-47e4-8790-620ded1b65f8.jpg?v=1685006597","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-rational-optimist-matt-ridley-9780061452062","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}