“In this book, I argue that all progress, both theoretical and practical, has resulted from a single human activity: the quest for what I call good explanations.” This is a great book on the growth and reach of knowledge. “The beginning of infinity” means that once humanity has discovered that it can always create better explanations, there is no end to progress.

1/ Book recommendation with a discussion of Optimism versus Pessimism, a thread, Part One Nullius in Verba (take nobody’s word for it.) ~Horace

I've referred to myself as a 'Rational Optimist' (which I think implies the need for skepticism) since first reading @DavidDeutschOxf's "The Beginning of Infinity" which I've recently reread and recommend highly.

Finally, someone nominates Beginning of Infinity! What a great book.