Recessions. Terrorism. Global warming. There's no doubt that countless dire crises consume the world. And yet, positive change is also all around us, under the media's radar. Here is evidence of history's true trend: a convincing picture of declining war, advancing health, equal rights, revolutionary technology, and more. This powerful shift in perspective - not trite "positive thinking" but a realistic look at hidden data - is needed now more than ever. Could the world really be better off than we think?