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How the Mind Works
Modern · Psychology, Science, Nonfiction

How the Mind Works

by Steven Pinker
1997 · 600 pages · Nonfiction
39 Modern ★ 3.99 on Goodreads · 21K ratings
Critics' pick
≈ 15 hours to read · about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day

Is it worth reading?

Pulitzer Prize (General Nonfiction) finalist (1998). 3.99★ from 21K Goodreads ratings.

By the numbers

39Must-Read Score
  • Readers44 out of 100 · counts 40%+21
  • Critics48 out of 100 · counts 32% (its stronger lane)+17
  • Bestseller8 out of 100 · counts 14%+1
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 15%+0

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero.

Where it ranks

Shortlisted

Reads as

Thought-provoking, True story

How we rank

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The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has DeclinedSteven Pinker
The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature
The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human NatureSteven Pinker

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