The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity EvolvesThe Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
Score Modern
What it's about
Ten thousand years ago there were fewer than 10 million people; today there are billions, most of them better fed, sheltered and protected than their ancestors. Matt Ridley argues that trade and the exchange of ideas drive human progress, and that the future is likely to be better still.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Baillie Gifford Prize finalist. It's a provocative, upbeat view of history.
You'll love it if you liked
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Free to Choose: A Personal StatementGood to know
Its optimism, especially about climate, is disputed by critics.
By the numbers
- Readers43 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics24 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller17 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz1 out of 100 · counts 10%
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. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #182 of the 198 history books we rank
- #1179 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #2177 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
More by Matt Ridley
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Quick answers
Is The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves worth reading?
Yes. It was a Baillie Gifford Prize finalist. It ranks #2,177 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 62.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves about?
Ten thousand years ago there were fewer than 10 million people; today there are billions, most of them better fed, sheltered and protected than their ancestors. Matt Ridley argues that trade and the exchange of ideas drive human progress, and that the future is likely to be better still.
How long does it take to read The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves?
About 11 hours (438 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves?
If you liked it, try Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond or Free to Choose: A Personal Statement by Milton and Rose Friedman.