2015 . Science, Life Sciences, History, Civilization, World . Yuval Noah Harari
8.7 634 total
4.4/5673K total
4.4/5.0New York Times Bestseller A 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 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.
2015
English
Harper Collins
464
0062316109 (ISBN13: 9780062316103)
4 months ago
10Life changing read - re-writing everything I thought I knew about the world & human species. Yuval 👌👌 Great first place to start, and then recommend reading everything else he ever writes ☺️
2 likes 
Comment 8 months ago
9Except the religious part which I thought was based on personal opinion rather than concrete facts the book is phenomenal
Like Comment 9 months ago
9Amazing book that gives a good and brief introduction to the long history of humanity. The most interesting are the factual writing and "fun facts" that are sprinkled throughout the whole book
Like Comment 10 months ago
9Read it because so many people have and I think it has some really insightful things to say and is very interesting. I was blown away initially but his other books aren't as good and really brought home to me how there are 2 or 3 really insightful excellent ideas in here but the same ideas get brought in to many contexts over and over.
1 like Comment 1 year ago
10Læste den som en del af pensum på antropologi, og den er virkelig spændende og tankevækkende. Den kan klart anbefales - også som “fritidslæsning”!
2 likes 1 comment 1 year ago
9A truly enlightening review of what makes us human, how strong and simultaneously weak our social constructs are, and what the future - may - hold. In short a reality check on our human reality.
1 like Comment 2 years ago
9This book is incredible, enlightening, very well-written but also frightening and disturbing. It takes it’s origin at the beginning of human kind, which puts our existence into a really interesting perspective. Just 70k years ago humans were a species minding their own business somewhere in Africa. Today we are gods of the earth threatening it’s entire existence! It relies heavily on seemingly tiny historical events or societal phenomena to explain the future development of our world which I found really fascinating. E.g. why did European nations develop into super powers who ruled most of the world for centuries, when 500 years ago they were completely even with Asia? The author doesn’t always take a stand and does a great job of presenting competing theories! The only critique I have - and hence the 9 - is that I find that he tries to explain too many things and spans across too much material. The concluding chapters on where human genetic research is taking us is extremely fascinating but feels like he could have written an entirely different book about that. Instead I felt a bit overwhelmed by all the information from Neanderthal history to future Cyborg world! But highly recommended!
2 likes 7 comments 2 years ago
10Great! Picks out very relevant events and concepts of our history and existence that paints a picture of humanity in a way I have never perceived us before. Poses interesting questions that made me think and wonder, and offers several opinions. I was left with so many questions and wish there were more answers.
Like Comment 2 years ago
10Loved the book. Gets you thinking! Enjoyed that he outlined different theories without concluding stuff where he had no basis for doing it. The booked was great to begin with, kept you engaged through the middle and the ended with some really thought provoking chapters in the end. So keep up until the bitter end. You will not regret it!
Like Comment 2 years ago
9Dont know how the author could make such an exciting book anout a subject which seems so boring on the surface. A must read for people who enjoy learning while reading.
Like Comment 11 months ago
10How Homo sapiens became Earth’s dominant species.
Like Comment 1 year ago
8Sometimes can be misleading in terms of facts but a great read and very eye opening regardless
Like Comment 
