Book Review: Humankind (A Hopeful History) by Rutger Bregman

The international bestseller, HumanKind (A Hopeful History)* has topped the charts of many books of the year lists. With such an intriguing topic, it’s no surprise. Its main premise is challenging the belief that human beings are intrinsically selfish and governed by self-interest. Across all disciplines, from psychology, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, history, art and politics, a principle exists that humankind is innately self-centred. Rutger Bregman is proposing something opposite, reviewing generations of stories, studies and situations to present a new view; that we are kind and display altruism in ways you may not have perceived before. This week, in the book club, I’m reviewing “ HumanKind: A Hopeful History*” by Rutger Bregman.

“Humankind makes a new argument: that it is realistic, as well as revolutionary, to assume that people are good. By thinking the worst of others, we bring out the worst in our politics and economics too. …It’s time for a new view of human nature.”

Author Rutger Bregman is a historian and published his first book “Utopia for Realists” in 2016. He is known for challenging the status quo, as seen in his 2017 TED talk “Poverty isn’t a lack of character, it’s lack of cash” and his 2019 appearance at Davos.  I was intrigued to read more about his take on humankind.

I will start with a confession. I didn’t expect this book to go as deep and as detailed as it did. To be able to make such hopeful claims about human nature and society, nothing is taken for granted. Experts and their findings are consistently challenged and, actually, many have found to not only been misinterpreted, but some are downright fake!   This book shows how frequently the “powers that be”  influenced society to believe that we are, at the heart, selfish and apathetic, to enable control, power or persuade. More importantly, It also gives us numerous insights into the strengths of humankind. How we have developed to become who we are today; all driven by kindness, empathy and calm.

Don’t be put off by the size of the book (the hardback runs at 399 pages) it’s a pacy, entertaining, extremely well researched and intriguing read. The translators have worked their magic (it was originally published in Dutch) and it leaves you feeling very optimistic about the future of Humankind. It encourages us to not take the negative narrative as a given and to cross-examine not only what others tell us, but the assumptions that we make ourselves.

Humankind is revolutionary; it doesn’t just tell us to stop being cynical, it explains how we have been manipulated to feel this way and provides the facts and figures to show the opposite about our nature. It covers war, politics, crime, psychology, art, motivation, prejudice and violence; difficult topics but it leaves you feeling enlightened, and as the subject title mentions, hopeful.

Every so often I experience a book and I can’t sum up the key points. Trying to do so will do it an injustice; so, in a rare turn out for the books, you will not receive my key points. This month this Clara Cliff notes simply say:

• Buy this book.
• Find a place where you can truly focus.
• Be open.
• Prepare to change your mind.

The book concludes with ten rules to live by, including “When in doubt, assume the best”, “Ask more questions”, “Be realistic” and finally, “Don’t watch the news”.   When I say that this book will change your perspective, about nearly EVERYTHING you have been told until now, I am not exaggerating. It’s a must-read for everyone who wants to believe that, as a society, we have so much more potential than we are told we have.

I’m now off to find Rutger Bregman’s back catalogue!

If you would like to read some other book club reviews, then follow the link here. You can join us for our monthly virtual book club meeting within the Facebook Group; the rest of the month covers everything you need to create a career to enjoy.

*This is an affiliate link. If you order I may get a few pennies, but it won’t cost you anything extra.