Naysayers have been predicting the end of the world almost since the beginning of civilization. In this profoundly contrarian book, scientist and science writer Matt Ridley (The Red Queen; Genome) dismisses the latest batch of catastrophists by placing them in the context of past, discredited apocalyptic thinkers. The Rational Optimist argues that for 100,000 years human cultures have been evolving, surviving, and thriving by exchange and specialization and that process is not likely to be reversed during any time in the foreseeable future. Timely optimism. (Hand-selling tip: Matt Ridley attracts readers. His Genome has sold over 300,000 copies.)