Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

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Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a book by Yuval Noah Harari based on a series of lectures Harari taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem which was first published in Hebrew (2011) in Israel and later, in English (2014). The book focusing on Homo sapiens, surveys the history of humankind, starting from the Stone Age, and going up to the twenty-first century. 

Official U.S. edition with full-color illustrations throughout.

New York Times Bestseller

A Summer Reading Pick for President Barak 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.

Prof. Yuval Noah Harari has a Ph.D. in History from the University of Oxford and lectures at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializing in world history. His books have been translated into 60 languages, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide. 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' (2014) looked deep into our past, 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow' (2016) considered far-future scenarios, and '21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018) zoomed in on the biggest questions of the present moment.

The book has received favorable reviews from the readers and critics and became a bestseller. It received a positive rating according to the Book Marks which aggregated nine critics in total, a starred review from Kirkus, and recommendation from several prominent celebrities. However, scholars have pointed some omissions and factual inaccuracies of the book.

About the Author

Prof. Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and the bestselling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, and Sapiens: A Graphic History. His books have sold over 30 million copies in 60 languages, and he is considered one of the world’s most influential public intellectuals today. The Guardian has credited Sapiens with revolutionizing the non-fiction market and popularizing “brainy books”.

In 2020, Harari joined forces with renowned comics artists David Vandermeulen and Daniel Casanave, to create Sapiens: A Graphic History: a radical adaptation of the original Sapiens into a graphic novel series. This illustrated collection casts Yuval Noah Harari in the role of guide, who takes the reader through the entire history of the human species, accompanied by a range of fictional characters and traveling through time, space, and popular culture references.

Born in Haifa, Israel, in 1976, Harari received his Ph.D. from the University of Oxford in 2002 and is currently a lecturer at the Department of History, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He originally specialized in world history, medieval history, and military history, and his current research focuses on macro-historical questions such as: What is the relationship between history and biology? What is the essential difference between Homo sapiens and other animals? Is there justice in history? Does history have a direction? Did people become happier as history unfolded? What ethical questions do science and technology raise in the 21st century?

Yuval Noah Harari

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Rating: 4.6/5

Author: Yuval Noah Harari

Publisher: Harper (Illustrated edition)

Publishing Date: February 10, 2015

Edition Language: English

Genre: General Anthropology, History of Civilization & Culture, Evolution

ISBN-10: 9780062316097

ASIN: 0062316095

Pages: 464 (Hardcover)