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Factfulness cover art

Factfulness

Written by: Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Ola Rosling
Narrated by: Richard Harries
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Publisher's Summary

For fans of Freakonomics and Thinking, Fast and Slow, here is a book by Hans Rosling, the scientist called "a true inspiration" by Bill Gates, that teaches us how to see the world as it truly is. 

Factfulness: The stress-reducing habit of carrying only opinions for which you have strong supporting facts. When asked simple questions about global trends - what percentage of the world's population live in poverty; why the world's population is increasing; how many girls finish school - we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess teachers, journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers. 

In Factfulness, professor of international health and global TED phenomenon Hans Rosling, together with his two longtime collaborators, Anna and Ola, offers a radical new explanation of why this happens. They reveal the ten instincts that distort our perspective - from our tendency to divide the world into two camps (usually some version of us and them) to the way we consume media (where fear rules) to how we perceive progress (believing that most things are getting worse). Our problem is that we don't know what we don't know, and even our guesses are informed by unconscious and predictable biases. 

It turns out that the world, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. That doesn't mean there aren't real concerns. 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 and empower you to respond to the crises and opportunities of the future.

©2018 Hans Rosling (P)2018 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Factfulness

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Helping you clear your head of the NOISE.

All day, every day we are bombarded with misinformation that skews our perceptions. This book is a fact check not just of the state of the world but also of the state of our ability to understand critically how we view it . A must for the thinker.

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I thought it was boring at first

though i thought i was very boring at first with his monotone voice, it got more and more interesting. There were many moments when I felt so touched by his story of the villages, his mistakes and how he's learned a life lesson. Hans was truly a great man.

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I wish everyone could read this book

I loved it. It really opened my eyes and made me question so many of my biases and how I describe things. Game changer.

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1 person found this helpful

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Required Reading!

Absolutely loved this book! So much important information to navigate the world! Hans shares with us so much meaningful data. It can not be understated.

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My number one recommendation this summer

What a fantastic book. I have always enjoyed Hans Rosling and the work he has done. This book is thought-provoking and insightful. I listened to it and immediately listened to it again. It really helps put things in perspective.
#Audible1

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Easily one of the best books I've read

This is one of those books that you finish reading, and immediately think the world could be drastically improved (even from it's continuously improving state) if it were added to every highschool, University and corporate learning programs.

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Educate, Learn, Awake

And you thought you knew the world you live in! Enjoyable and interesting read and an eye opener with lessons of thinking critically about the news we are fed.

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So much good information

Must read for everyone. It will recommend it to a lot of people I know

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A must read for smart people!

Through an organized, cohesive, and A-political view point, the authors of Factfulness offer a realistic and informed outlook on modern day life. Have a listen to the preview and then give it a shot! 5 stars

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One of my favorites

One of my fav books, filled with positivity. Nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen

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