Rational Optimist, The: How Prosperity Evolves (P.s.) - Softcover

"Ridley eloquently weaves together economics, archeology, history, and evolutionary theory...His words effortlessly turn complicated economic and scientific concepts into entertaining, digestible nuggets."--Barrett Sheridan, Newsweek

"Original, clever and ...controversial"--The Guardian

"Ridley's dazzling, insightful and entertaining book on the unstoppable march of innovation is a refresher course in human history...Great ideas spring up unexpectedly from every direction, with each new one naturally coordinating with others..."--New York Post

"A fast-moving, intelligent description of why human life has so consistently improved over the course of history, and a wonderful overview of how human civilizations move forward."--John Tierney, New York Times

"A dose of just the kind of glass-half-full information we need right now...A powerful antidote to gloom-n-doom-mongering."--Washington Examiner

"This inspiring book, a glorious defense of our species...is a devastating rebuke to humanity's self-haters."--Sunday Times (London)

"Invigorating...For Mr. Ridley, the market for ideas needs to be as open as possible in order to breed ingenuity from collaboration."--Trevor Butterworth, Wall Street Journal

"A mesmerizing book."--Los Angeles Times

"A superb book...Elegant, learned, and cogent...a far-reaching synthesis of economics and ecology, a triumphant new demarche in the understanding of wealth and poverty...Inspiring."--George Gilder, National Review

"A very good book...a rich analysis...Ridley is a cogent and erudite social critic...He bolsters his argument with an impressive tour of evolutionary biology, economics, philosophy, world history."--Washington Post