Heavily footnoted, Pinker argues that violence has declined significantly, and hammers home the notion that things are better than they have ever been. He does remind us that things might change back again, and that we need to be vigilant. But with this book, he makes a good case for not worrying quite so much. However, he does make me consider seriously moving out of Texas.

Now, since finishing it, someone copied off a section of a book they're reading in their class that pokes massive holes in a lot of Pinker's prehistoric sources. But I still think there's merit to the idea that things are better, and it's nice to get a solid banner-headline book proclaiming it loudly.