Book review 

Progress – ten reasons to look forward to the future.

In a recent British survey 71% percent of those surveyed felt that the world had become worse rather than better. If you are one of such this book should be a must read for you. 

Swedish modern historian Johan Norberg will cheer you up. He has produced a very readable book covering ten social markers through which he traces the huge steps forward which have been achieved: food supply, sanitation, life expectancy, poverty, violence, literacy, freedom, equality and is now even being made in the environment.  

Facts and figures are from reliable sources , mainly United Nation’s departments. They are accompanied by clear graphs which enhance the dialog – this is not a heavy read.

Johan Norberg reminds us that  headlines are misleading with the daily news cycle reports of divisive politics across the world, racism, poverty, war, inequality, and hunger along with reports from activists on both sides describing the damage being done. He points out that good news does not make headlines; a plane crash is news, a couple of million people having problem free flights every days is not news. However despite all the  gloom and doom we are fed history  and data show that life has been getting radically better  in every way.

In this book Johan offers an illuminating and heartening progress report on the greatest problems facing humanity as an antidote to the of fear mongering and division being reported. . 

The facts are unequivocal. Johan has a strong case and he makes it with energy and charm. As the Times puts it: ‘A pertinent book for grumpy times’. At 240 pages this is not a long read, but a very interesting one, – highly recommended, this book is available at your library. 

Mike Beckett