On his blog, Gates Notes, Microsoft founder Bill Gates recently announced that Steven Pinker’s The Better Angels of Our Nature is no longer his favorite book. That’s because he read an early copy of Pinker’s new book, Enlightenment Now.

In Enlightenment Now, Pinker argues that, despite everything you hear, we are currently living in the best time in human history. He proves it with research and data. For instance: The global average IQ score rises by three points every decade. Time spent doing laundry fell from 11.5 hours a week in 1920 to an hour and a half. Even though the workforce is much larger today, you’re four times less likely to die at work than in 1929. And, You’re 37 times less likely to be killed by lightning than you were in 1900.

Pinker’s thesis suggests that these life improvements are due to human intellectualism. Pinker calls for a return to the ideals of the Enlightenment, when reason, science, and humanism were touted as the highest virtues.

The book won’t be out until the end of February, but get ready for a dose of much needed optimism by placing your holds now.