Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari

Aug 2017 · HarperAudio · Narrated by Derek Perkins

About this audiobook

New 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.

Ratings and reviews

A blatant and inaccurate lie. The author just blurts out opinions throughout the novel without weighing them against counter arguments and other theories or possibilities. The book is definitely not one based on facts. It seems that the author wants to brainwash the public with sensationalism to serve his own ulterior motives and even goes to lengths of ridiculing his own parents in some pages, just because of his insecurities.

Reading this in 2023 and it is very interesting to see how much change has happened in the world after this book was published. Regarding the audiobook - had to bring the reading speed down to 0.9 to follow the narration because it is read way too fast. The book itself is an interesting, sometimes frustrating, read because some portions are poorly researched and some historical events were taken out of context in order to put forth the author's point of view.

Unbelievably one-sided and unfortunately urging to take the author's side on each of the arguments that aren't merely restatements of trivial knowledge. Where Sapiens is entertaining, it is as informative as a "Believe it or Not!" pulp; where it attempts to break into originality, it tends to get things miserably, and hopefully unintentionally wrong. Don't take my word for it though, a cursory glance at the shockingly sourceless content should leave any academic mind appalled. Save your money.

About the author

Prof. Yuval Noah Harari, bestselling historian and philosopher, is considered one of the world’s most influential intellectuals today. His popular books—including Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind; Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow; 21 Lessons for the 21st Century; and the series Sapiens: A Graphic History and Unstoppable Us—have sold more than 45 million copies in 65 languages. Harari co-founded Sapienship, a social impact company with projects in the fields of education and storytelling, whose main goal is to focus the public conversation on the most important global challenges facing the world today. Harari has a PhD in history from the University of Oxford and currently lectures in the department of history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.