Survival of the Nicest: How Altruism Made Us Human and Why It Pays to Get Along
“[A] mind-bending book . . . if there is a science to winning over readers, Klein has surely mastered it. . . . The wealth of knowledge here is astounding.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review“[O]ne of the book’s key strengths [is] its breadth. From psychological experiments to anthropological studies and historical events like the Holocaust or 9/11, Klein seamlessly weaves his way through all to present compelling evidence for why humans have evolved to be selfless.Survival of the Nicestentertainingly informs its readers of how they are born to be altruistic . . .”—UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center“This wonderful book could be read as a scientific explanation for a moral imperative to be kind to others. But it is so much more! Stefan Klein, an enticing storyteller, marshals the evidence for the value of altruism—not only to one’s family but, much more interestingly, to one’s self and one’s tribe. Altruism is truly contagious!”—Roald Hoffman,Nobel Laureate, poet, and Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters Emeritus, Cornell University“A scholarly tour de force about why generosity makes good sense,Survival of the Nicestis also compulsively readable. Klein argues convincingly that helping others is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.”—Elizabeth Svoboda, author ofWhat Makes a Hero?: The Surprising Science of Selflessness“A thought-provoking and comprehensive review of the research on altruism,Survival of the Nicestvalidates humanistic principles and has far-reaching implications for today’s world—especially for US politics and culture. An inspiration!”—Rebecca Hale, president, American Humanist Association, and co-owner of EvolveFISH.com“An important contribution to the field of altruism and altruistic behavior and to a better and nicer world. I highly recommend this book.”—Samuel P. Oliner, PhD,Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Humboldt State University, and founder and director, The Altruistic Personality and Prosocial Behavior Institute“InSurvival of the Nicest, Stefan Klein poses three questions central to social science and ethics: (1) How is unselfishness possible? (2) What moves us to help others? And (3) why are some people more helpful than others? His wide-ranging answers to these questions suggest that altruism is born into us and that selflessness actually both makes us happy and will transform the world.”—Kristen Renwick Monroe, Chancellor’s Professor, University of California, Irvine, and author ofThe Heart of Altruism“This eloquent and persuasive book shows why in life, like in the movies, the nice guy always wins.”—Stephen Cave, author ofImmortality