A Critical Review of Humankind
Rutger Bregman’s book Humankind is one of the books that questions negative ideas about human nature and makes readers think. For many years, many people believed that humans are naturally selfish, bad, and only care about themselves. However, Bregman does not agree with this idea. According to him, human nature is not as dark as people think. Instead, people are more willing to help each other, understand others’ feelings, and do good things. In the book, the author supports these ideas with many examples from wars, psychology experiments, history, and biology. One of the best parts of the book is that it gives hope about humanity. Still, when I finished the book, I did not only feel admiration. On one side, I was happy to read it because it made me think differently. On the other side, some of the author’s ideas felt too optimistic to me. Because of this, the book was both interesting and questionable for me.
One of the strongest parts of the book is that it makes people question ideas about human nature that many accept without thinking. Today, we often see violence, murder, wars, and fights on television, social media, and in the news. After some time, people start to believe that the world is full of bad people. At this point, Bregman asks an important question: If humans were really bad by nature, how could societies survive for so many years? A big part of human history was shaped by helping each other, working together, and surviving together. From this side, the writer’s ideas are important and meaningful.
His ideas against the belief that humans are naturally wild are especially interesting. Today, when someone behaves badly, people sometimes say, “Did you grow up in a cave?” However, Bregman says that hunter-gatherer societies were not as violent as many
It is not a book that is published with a lot of claims. So I can say that I really enjoyed reading it with the writer's style and it's on words but it is not too necessary to read it if you don't conduct a research about the writer or doing anything related. But it was a gripping book and it kept me eager to read. But I would like it more if the message of the stories were a bit more visible and blatant. right now I feel like it is a book that I will forget in a few days
Reklam
Could have been better
I definitely don't be saying that I didn't like this book but seeing all the potential, the character developments, the message the actual setting, metaphors,symbolism I noticed a kind of mishit if that makes sense. I think it is really hard to turn a movie into a book and I really think that the final outcome is not definitely bad but I think it could have been better. If the timeline was arranged better, characters were explained deeper and the transition between scenes were smoother it would be possible to enjoy the reading even more and I kind of wished it to be longer I felt like everything has gone so rapidly but I will say that everything was really imposing.
Decent book but overhyped and overrated. I get the message though, maybe thats why its so rated because the message was ahead of its time. I give it a 7/10
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum tells the story of Dorothy, a young girl who lives in Kansas and is suddenly carried away by a cyclone to the magical land of Oz. After her house accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East, Dorothy learns she must travel to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz for help returning home. Along the way, she meets the Scarecrow, who believes he lacks a brain; the Tin Woodman, who longs for a heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who wishes for courage. The group travels together, facing various challenges before finally reaching the Wizard. He promises to help them only if they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, which Dorothy ultimately does. However, when they return, the Wizard is revealed to be an ordinary man using illusions. Despite this, he gives Dorothy’s companions tokens that help them recognize they already possess the qualities they desired. In the end, Dorothy learns she can return home using the magical power of her silver shoes, realizing that her greatest wish has been within her reach all along.
From a literary perspective, the novel explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and the importance of inner qualities over external appearances. Each of Dorothy’s companions symbolizes a human trait "intelligence, compassion, and courage" and their journeys reveal that these qualities are not granted by others but already exist within them. This idea reflects a central message of the novel: people often underestimate themselves and seek validation from external sources instead of trusting their own abilities. The story also examines the contrast between illusion and reality, particularly through the character of the Wizard, who appears powerful but is ultimately just an ordinary man. This suggests a subtle criticism
After the somewhat predictable nature of my previous read, Pick a Color was a refreshing change of pace. Souvankham Thammavongsa has a remarkable gift for capturing the profound within the mundane. The story explores the quiet rhythms of daily life with a precision that feels both concise and compelling.
What I appreciated most was the minimalist style. The author doesn't rely on "filler columns" or elaborate plots; instead, she uses brief, impactful moments to deliver her message. The narrative is filled with poignant quotes that I found myself lingering over—lines that manage to say so much with very few words.
It is a beautiful example of how a "short" story can leave a lasting impression. Much like a perfectly centered piece of pottery, there is nothing extra here; every sentence has a purpose. For any reader who enjoys observational literature, this story is a small but vibrant gem.
Reklam
Reklam