Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future

by Johan Norberg Narrated by Derek Perkins

Overview

From an examination of official data from such institutions as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, Cato Institute Senior Fellow Johan Norberg paints a portrait of a better future ahead.

It's on the television, in the papers, and in our minds. Every day we're bludgeoned by news of how bad everything is-financial collapse, unemployment, growing poverty, environmental disasters, disease, hunger, war. But the rarely acknowledged reality is that our progress over the past few decades has been unprecedented. By almost any index you care to identify, things are markedly better now than they have ever been for almost everyone alive.

Examining official data from the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, political commentator Johan Norberg traces just how far we have come in tackling the issues that define our species. While it's true that not every problem has been solved, we do now have a good idea of the solutions and we know what it will take to see this progress continue.

Dramatic, uplifting, and counter-intuitive, Progress is a call for optimism in our pessimistic, doom-laden world.

Editorial Reviews

Observer

‘Norberg entertainingly presents the case for something every expert knows but most newsreaders will find hard to believe: the world is getting richer, healthier, freer, and more peaceful’.

Esquire

'His unfailing optimism and well-argued points generate powerful good-news vibes’.

Reason

‘Excellent...Norberg’s book comprehensively documents the myriad ways the state of humanity has vastly improved over the past couple of centuries.’

Matt Ridley

‘Johan Norberg chronicles the still largely unknown fact that humanity is now healthier, happier, cleaner, cleverer, freer and more peaceful than ever before. He also explains why in this superb book.’

Economist

‘A blast of good sense.’

Philippe Legrain

‘At a time of profound pessimism, Johan Norberg is refreshingly, but not glibly, optimistic. His excellent book documents the dramatic improvements in people’s lives and reminds us of the huge potential for further progress – provided we are open to it.’

The Times Robbie Millen

‘Norberg has a strong case and he makes it with energy and charm. A pertinent book for grumpy times.’

Observer, Books of the Year - Steven Pinker

‘Reminds us that headlines are misleading and that history and data show that life has been getting radically better in every way’.

Economist

‘A blast of good sense.’

Reason

‘Excellent...Norberg’s book comprehensively documents the myriad ways the state of humanity has vastly improved over the past couple of centuries.’

AUGUST 2017 - AudioFile

A senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute, Johan Norberg argues that life has evolved to be radically better in every way. With a deliberate pace, Derek Perkins uses modulation in a flawless narration that is serious and informative as well as entertaining. The audiobook details how civilization has made phenomenal progress in freedom, sanitation, income, life expectancy, and the environment. Perkins’s minimal yet recognizable British accent gives his narration increased gravity. Norberg credits technology and medical science advancements as major positive factors to consider. Relaxed and yet highly polished, Perkins’s performance will likely convince even the most casually pessimistic listener that globalization and the rise of free economic markets have dramatically improved daily life and its future potential. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169867220
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	07/01/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged

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