Jim Mann
Undoubtedly the most relevant book on social evolution published this year—in the last 20 years, in my opinion—is Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny by Robert Wright. The book describes clearly and most convincingly how biological evolution led to cultural evolution and society as we know it today. It closes with two surprising chapters, which consider the significance of humankind’s rise to conscious evolution and the metaphysical probability that the universe and our lives have a purpose or, at least, a direction beyond our limited and seemingly accidental existence.