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The Better Angels of Our Nature

by Steven Pinker · 2011

A data-rich argument that many forms of violence have declined across history.

Recommended by 1 person · mentioned by 1 person

Why this author is included

Steven Pinker · Cognitive scientist

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Who recommends it

1 person has recommended The Better Angels of Our Nature. Each entry links to the source.

Bill Gates portrait in 2018 Bill GatesCo-founder, Microsoft; philanthropist
It's probably my favorite book and the one I recommend most often.
Recommended · Exact quote Source: TIME
Evidence details Bill Gates Discusses His Lifelong Love for Books and Reading

Gates identified The Better Angels of Our Nature as the book he most often recommends in a TIME interview about books and reading.

The quote is taken word for word from the source.

TIME · 2017-05-22 · accessed 2026-06-18

Interview · TIME interview

The interview asks Gates what book he recommends most often and records his answer.

Also mentioned by

These people mentioned or cited The Better Angels of Our Nature without directly recommending it.

Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook F8 in 2019 Mark ZuckerbergCo-founder and CEO, Meta

A Year of Books listed Steven Pinker's The Better Angels of Our Nature as Zuckerberg's January 18, 2015 selection.

Cited · Wording not verified Source: Business Insider
Evidence details Why Mark Zuckerberg thinks everyone can learn something from Pixar

A Business Insider article on Zuckerberg's fifth A Year of Books pick includes the running list of earlier selections, including The Better Angels of Our Nature.

This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.

Business Insider · 2015-03-03 · accessed 2026-06-20

Article · Reported Facebook book club selection

Business Insider's A Year of Books running list includes The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker among Zuckerberg's book club selections.

About the author

What the author has done, shown separately from who recommends the book.

Steven PinkerCognitive scientist

Harvard psychologist and public writer on language, mind, violence, and progress.

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