







Factfulness: Ten reasons we're wrong about the world - and why things are better than you think (Paperback)
Hans Rosling (author), Ola Rosling (author), Anna Rosling Roennlund (author)Published: 27/06/2019

From rationalising fears to countering negativity, Rosling sweeps aside our worst instincts and makes the world a sunnier place, all proven by deliciously moreish facts, examples and infographics.
BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week
'One of the most important books I've ever read - an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world.' - Bill Gates
When asked simple questions about global trends - why the world's population is increasing; how many young women go to school; how many of us live in poverty - we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers.
In Factfulness, Professor of International Health Hans Rosling - together with his two long-time collaborators Anna and Ola - offers a radical new explanation of why this happens, and reveals the ten instincts that distort our perspective.
It turns out that the world, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. But when we worry about everything all the time instead of embracing a worldview based on facts, we can lose our ability to focus on the things that threaten us most.
Inspiring and revelatory, filled with lively anecdotes and moving stories, Factfulness is an urgent and essential book that will change the way you see the world.
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 9781473637498
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 255 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 21 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Bestselling books about statistics are as rare as unicorns. One that gets to No.1 is as rare as a lunar unicorn. Factfulness by Hans Rosling is that moon-based creature . . . engaging.' - The Times
'... thoroughly researched and clearly written... this is a measured, objective, and ultimately optimistic account of where we are and how we got here.' - Independent
'We need more of this way of thinking, both in business and politics. Where better to start than a new book by one of Gates' favourite gurus, the late Swedish statistician Hans Rosling . . . in an age of so-called post-truth, this is a celebration of the all too often repudiated but underlying story of relentless human progress.' - Jeremy Warner, Sunday Telegraph
'An assault both on ignorance and pessimism . . . helping countries improve their governance and public health and opening them up to the rule of law and market exchange works. But not by some sort of magic. Because we act. And to this, as Rosling argues, we first have to understand the world we live in.' - Daniel Finkelstein, The Times
'A wonderful guide to an improving world, as well as being a well-stocked source of sound advice as to how to think about factual and statistical claims . . . The book is a pleasure to read - simple, clear, memorable writing - and when you've finished you'll be a lot wiser about the world. You'll also feel rather happier . . . "Factfulness" - the relaxing peace of mind you get when you have a clearer view of how the world really is . . . I strongly recommend this book.' - Tim Harford
'Wonderful... a passionate and erudite message that is all more moving because it comes from beyond the grave... His knack for presentation and delight in statistics come across on every page. Who else would choose a chart of "guitars per capita" as a proxy for human progress?' - Financial Times
‘Factfulness is a fabulous read, succinct and lively. It asks why so many people — including Nobel laureates and medical researchers — get the numbers so wrong on pressing issues such as poverty, pandemics and climate change… a just tribute to this book and the man would be a global day of celebration for facts about our world.’ - Jim O’Neill, Nature
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“Eye Opening ”
Reading this truly makes you question everything you perceive the work to be, and why you do. Truly great for anyone who loves a non fiction book.
“Essential reading!”
Wow! I never realised how ignorant I was about certain aspects of the world! This book opened my eyes and really made me think about everything I thought I knew and about issues I didn't even realise I should be... More
“Excellent, educating and positive. ”
It's hard to let yourself be positive when looking at data on climate change, even the world at large... But there is no sense in being needlessly negative either. It might even be damaging to a cause to... More
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