New York Times BestsellerA Summer Reading Pick for President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”One hundred thousand years ago, at … it means to be “human.”
One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?
Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.
Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?
Featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon Moalem.
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Brilliant theory about early man from paleolithic species and how mankind developed and generated into modern Homo sapiens.
A remarkable though provoking revisionist history of mankind.
Read this book critically. The author presents much fascinating material based on history or archeological findings but then, furtively, presents his opinions as facts. For example he states that it is a fact that wealthy prople are so because they were born in wealthy families. Really? In the USA , at least, it has been shown that the majority of millionaires are self-made and did not inherit their wealth. The author also states categorically that their is no evidence to support that diferrent races have diferrent IQ levels; there are many studies that show this may be the case, even though it may not be what we want to see. Also the author has a strong preference to use female pronouns throughout the work; such an unimaginative example of “ social justice”. Indeed I was surprised he used BC and AD instead of the ridiculous BCE and CE. Read the book, but do so critically; don’t take everything the author says as fact, most is opinion and be weary when he lists facts and then furtively throws in an untruth.
Very interesting. I liked the way he discussed different theories and wove a coherent story about man’s impact on earth and how we developed as social beings.
So disappointed–actually insulted… Thought the book would be scientific, and I would learn interesting facts about the evolution of man. Early in the book the author was describing the cognitive development of homo sapiens and the evolution of creative imagination. What the author chose to use as an example of imagination was the Catholic belief in transubstantiation. His comment was “Poof… and then the bread/wine changes into the body/blood of Christ…”. I closed the book. Any author who chooses to insult a religious belief that he clearly doesn’t share doesn’t deserve my wasting my time reading the rest of his ideas.
Changed my view of how mankind evolved. Great original thinking.
A wonderful albeit complex picture of where we are and how we got here. Although I wouldn’t call it an “easy read” it is absolutely worth the effort.
This is a book to make you sit up straight and put on your thinking cap! It challenges myths and assumptions and provides a new perspective on many long-held but maybe poorly-thought-about-or-defended beliefs, and promotes deep humility through consideration of ‘humanity’ in the larger picture and scope of the universe. An old university literature anthology of mine proclaimed in its sub-title: “Man is the measure of the Universe!” This book makes you wonder whether that statement contains a bit too much hubris.
Sapiens is a thoughtful ‘big history’ account with useful insights for current affairs. Read it.
New ideas
As a former sociologist, I am enjoying this book immensely. So much great information about the evolution of Sapiens and full of excellent insights into the rise of the human mind as we know it. A very honest view toward the myths of religion and fully recognizes both the strengths and weaknesses of man and society.
A most all encompising book of the story of man, how we have evolved, and where we are headed. Really sheds light on how mythology has, and still effects people.
Very thought-provoking. Challenges many assumptions about the history of mankind.
Wonderful insights into who we are and why we are as we are.
One of the best books I’ve ever read!
Best non-fiction book I have read.
Yuval Harari has crafted an informative and thought provoking history of mankind and human culture. It is well written, witty and often humorous…holding the reader’s attention like a novel. Recommended highly.
Sapiens gives an unbiased view of how Homo Sapiens became what we are today. Not for the weak at heart.
Traces human growth through cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions and its impact on the world and our future as a species.
Great cut and paste of other leaders in their fields all put together in one fabulous volume