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Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Kindle Edition

4.6 out of 5 stars 141,202 ratings
4.3 on Goodreads
1,186,061 ratings

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NATIONAL BESTSELLER
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Destined to become a modern classic in the vein of
Guns, Germs, and Steel, Sapiens is a lively, groundbreaking history of humankind told from a unique perspective.
100,000 years ago, at least six species of human inhabited the earth. Today there is just one.
Us.
Homo Sapiens.
How did our species succeed in the battle for dominance? Why did our foraging ancestors come together to create cities and kingdoms? How did we come to believe in gods, nations, and human rights; to trust money, books, and laws; and to be enslaved by bureaucracy, timetables, and consumerism? And what will our world be like in the millennia to come?
In
Sapiens, Dr. Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the radical — and sometimes devastating — breakthroughs of the Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific Revolutions. Drawing on insights from biology, anthropology, palaeontology, and economics, he explores how the currents of history have shaped our human societies, the animals and plants around us, and even our personalities. Have we become happier as history has unfolded? Can we ever free our behaviour from the heritage of our ancestors? And what, if anything, can we do to influence the course of the centuries to come?
Bold, wide-ranging and provocative,
Sapiens challenges everything we thought we knew about being human: our thoughts, our actions, our power...and our future.
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    By clicking on above button, you agree to 鶹's Kindle Store Terms of UseSold by: Random House Canada, Incorp.

Product description

Review

"Harari is provocative and entertaining." ---Publishers Weekly

From the Back Cover

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six human species inhabited the earth. Today there is just one. Us. Homo sapiens. How did our species succeed in the battle for dominance? Why did our foraging ancestors come together to create cities and kingdoms? How did we come to believe in gods, nations, and human rights; to trust money, books, and laws; and to be enslaved by bureaucracy, timetables, and consumerism? And what will our world be like in the millennia to come?

In Sapiens, Professor Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the radical—and sometimes devastating—breakthroughs of the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions. Drawing on insights from biology, anthropology, paleontology, and economics, and incorporating full-color illustrations throughout the text, Harari explores how the currents of history have shaped our human societies, the animals and plants around us, and even our personalities. Have we become happier as history has unfolded? Can we ever free our behavior from the legacy of our ancestors? And what, if anything, can we do to influence the course of the centuries to come?

Bold, wide-ranging, and provocative, Sapiens integrates history and science to challenge everything we thought we knew about being human: our thoughts, our actions, our heritage...and our future.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JTCH382
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Signal
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ Oct. 28 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 16.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 580 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0771038525
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ A Brief History Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 141,202 ratings

About the author

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Yuval Noah Harari
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Prof. Yuval Noah Harari (born 1976) is a historian, philosopher and the bestselling author of 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' (2014); 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow' (2016); '21 Lessons for the 21st Century' (2018); the children's series 'Unstoppable Us' (launched in 2022); and 'Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI' (2024). He is also the creator and co-writer of 'Sapiens: A Graphic History': a radical adaptation of 'Sapiens' into a graphic novel series (launched in 2020), which he published together with comics artists David Vandermeulen (co-writer) and Daniel Casanave (illustrator). These books have been translated into 65 languages, with 45 million copies sold, and have been recommended by Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Natalie Portman, Janelle Monáe, Chris Evans and many others. Harari has a PhD in History from the University of Oxford, is a Lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's History department, and is a Distinguished Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk. Together with his husband, Itzik Yahav, Yuval Noah Harari is the co-founder of Sapienship: a social impact company that advocates for global collaboration, with projects in the realm of education and storytelling.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
141,202 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating, relatable, and an exhilarating romp through human history from the very beginning. They describe it as thought-provoking, challenging many modern beliefs, and explaining these difficult concepts in a very clear and succinct way. Readers describe the book as very easy to read, comprehendible, and witty. They also appreciate the fantastic perspectives and reframing of normal situations. Opinions are mixed on the accuracy, with some finding the theories extremely interesting, while others say they're not always fact-based.

676 customers mention "Depth"648 positive28 negative

Customers find the time described in the book fascinating and provides the reader an exhilarating romp through human history from the very beginning. They appreciate the relatable stories for illustrating points. Readers say the book is not a boring history read but one that will open their eyes and question. They say the reflection of concepts centuries ago and how they still relate to today is amazing.

"...All of this in an eminently readable book: you can enjoy the process of reading these pages, seeing how the author builds, chapter over chapter, to..." Read more

"...History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari is a captivating and insightful book that offers a thought-provoking journey through the history of our..." Read more

"...tackle a complex subject and deliver it conversationally, simply, absent jargon. This book is immensely readable, exciting, and entertaining...." Read more

"Outstanding book! I love this read! I recommend it to everyone...." Read more

154 customers mention "Relevance"147 positive7 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, interesting, and informative. They say the author does a good job of challenging many modern beliefs and provides great insight in the coming future. Readers also mention the logic behind the theory is extremely compelling and the theory structure becomes so real. They also say the book ends with thought-provokingly questions about what we are becoming or should be, evolution and how it has shaped our society and behaviours.

"...covering vast amounts of history in an easy to digest and thought provoking way...." Read more

"...be an exact science, but the author's informed grasp and profound insights - are very reasonable, brilliant, and thought provoking - which I imagine..." Read more

"...The great insight in the coming future. It is a must read book." Read more

"Great book. Extremely interesting and informative" Read more

94 customers mention "Informative"94 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative. They say it offers an extensive summary of multiple topics, tackles it all, and explains difficult concepts in a clear and succinct way. Readers also mention the book is full of surprising information about our species. They also appreciate the author's informed grasp and profound insights.

"...is so much of an understatement as to be laughable, yet this book tackles it all, in levels of detail that make it clear why each step in the..." Read more

"This book is great covering vast amounts of history in an easy to digest and thought provoking way...." Read more

"...is Harari's ability to distill complex ideas into accessible and engaging prose, making anthropology and history accessible to a wide audience...." Read more

"...prehistory cannot by definition be an exact science, but the author's informed grasp and profound insights - are very reasonable, brilliant, and..." Read more

91 customers mention "Readability"91 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They say it's written in a fluent way, with difficult concepts presented in a clear and succinct way. Readers also appreciate the impressive scope, put in common language, and relatable stories for illustrating.

"...of those who tackle a complex subject and deliver it conversationally, simply, absent jargon...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed how easy this book was to read and how this author was to able evoke multitude of emotions like disgust and fascination...." Read more

"...It is superbly crafted and written in a deceptively easy style that is jam-packed with laser sharp intelligence, knowledge and insight Not overly..." Read more

"Impressive scope, put in common language with relatable stories for illustrating points. Of course, that leaves lots of room for quibbles...." Read more

32 customers mention "Humor"30 positive2 negative

Customers find the book witty, excellent, and engrossing. They appreciate the catchy turns of phrases, stimulating concepts, and sometimes subversive. Readers mention the book is not jargony and makes the reader think. They also like the writing style of the author.

"...otherwise be dry subject matter incredibly engaging with a combination wry humour and incisive analogies...." Read more

"Almost every sentence is an interesting gem...." Read more

"...as a series of thematic vignettes combined with the author's droll and witty yet spare style make it highly readable, all while fostering deep..." Read more

"I've reread this book many times - it is fascinating, witty, and real. A must read!" Read more

21 customers mention "Perspective"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the book has fantastic perspectives and analogies. They say it provides a greater appreciation of the world we are living in now and changed their world view. Readers also mention the book is a search for a balance of truth and perspective about who we are and how we got to.

"Really interesting critical thought and reframing of normal situations, specifically capitalism, anthropology, and the formation of society as we..." Read more

"...In any way, it was interesting to see different visions and possibilities...." Read more

"...to the world right now is phenomenal and really gives you a different perspective of things...." Read more

"Simple but with extraordinary point of view and insights...." Read more

16 customers mention "Complexity"13 positive3 negative

Customers find the book thorough, detailed, and sufficiently comprehensive. They say it provides an in-depth view of us. Readers also say it's worth multiple readings and a fantastic book.

"...as to be laughable, yet this book tackles it all, in levels of detail that make it clear why each step in the process is critical and important, and..." Read more

"...It provides a unique and detailed (with fact) perspective on the history of us from our so-called Cognitive Revolution 50,000 years ago to present..." Read more

"Fabulous! Harari gives an incredibly well written, detailed, meticulously researched and factually supported treatise on the history of Us!..." Read more

"...copies to give away as gifts as I loved this book and think it one people should read...." Read more

30 customers mention "Accuracy"18 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the accuracy of the book. Some find the theories extremely interesting, while others say the book is superficial, not always fact-based, and full of inaccuracies.

"...He challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to reconsider fundamental aspects of human existence, including our relationship with other..." Read more

"General comment - light on facts, heavy on fantasy. Let me give you an idea of what I mean...." Read more

"Fascinating read. At last a credible reason in support of the concept of religion - for me at least. I’ve recommended it to many...." Read more

"I've reread this book many times - it is fascinating, witty, and real. A must read!" Read more

Top of the food chain...for now!
5 out of 5 stars
Top of the food chain...for now!
Almost immediately this book gets into the heart of the topic! It's written in a manner that is easy to understand even when the topic is complex. I'm looking forward to finishing then moving on to his other books!
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Top reviews from Canada

  • Reviewed in Canada on May 24, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of those books that come across your lap rarely, yet have the power to both educate and entertain. The subject of the book is us: humanity, and how we've evolved over the past many years, how some of our cultural issues have evolved, and where we could go in the future. To say the book is wide-ranging is an understatement: this is a book about everything we care about as humans.

    The book examines human history from early days of walking through each of the major revolutions and evolutions: the move to argricultural peoples instead of wander-gatherers; the birth of the concepts of town and cities and the need to manage them; the development of tools, touching on everything to the current day; how societies arose; our warlike nature; the technological leaps that created engines and paper, as well as everything else we depend on; and how we interact with the world around us. To say this is a massive subject is so much of an understatement as to be laughable, yet this book tackles it all, in levels of detail that make it clear why each step in the process is critical and important, and yet never getting bogged down. We've got science, we've got religion, we've got politics, and we've got everything else thrown in too.

    All of this in an eminently readable book: you can enjoy the process of reading these pages, seeing how the author builds, chapter over chapter, to spin the big story. You can see where issues arise and how we solved them, or, in some cases, why they still remain problems. There's a lot of words here, without many illustrations to break it up, but if you are patient, the value of this book is immense. Easily the most "important" book I've read for years, covering such a massive subject in a way that I enjoyed reading about. Yes, this will require some effort on your part (not to read, but to understand the big picture) but it all is worth the effort. Want to know why we are the way we are? This book will help you understand exactly that. And it's an interesting read along the way.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in Canada on June 18, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is great covering vast amounts of history in an easy to digest and thought provoking way. It's really interesting to have early humans humanized so much and be able to see them as more than mindless apes roaming around until someone decided to invent math and war.

    The parts that focused more on the future I found a little less value in though.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on April 23, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari is a captivating and insightful book that offers a thought-provoking journey through the history of our species, Homo sapiens.

    Harari's narrative spans from the emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa to the present day, exploring key milestones in human evolution, cultural development, and societal transformations. He examines the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions that have shaped the course of human history and influenced our understanding of the world.

    One of the strengths of this book is Harari's ability to distill complex ideas into accessible and engaging prose, making anthropology and history accessible to a wide audience. He challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to reconsider fundamental aspects of human existence, including our relationship with other species and the planet.

    The book delves into a wide range of topics, from the rise of agriculture and the formation of complex societies to the impact of technology and globalization on contemporary human life. Harari raises thought-provoking questions about the future of humanity and the ethical dilemmas posed by advances in science and technology.

    "Sapiens" is a compelling and enlightening read that invites readers to reflect on the past, present, and future of our species. Whether you're interested in anthropology, history, or the human condition, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the forces that have shaped the modern world.

    I highly recommend "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" for anyone curious about the origins and evolution of human civilization. Dive into this thought-provoking journey and gain new insights into what it means to be human.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Sapiens has been on my reading list for about 10 years and I finally - in semi retirement - got around to picking it up. My practice is to pause after each page of a book and briefly consider what I have learned. I can honestly say that I have found great value on each of Harari's pages. Of course, prehistory cannot by definition be an exact science, but the author's informed grasp and profound insights - are very reasonable, brilliant, and thought provoking - which I imagine was his goal. As an author of books myself, I appreciate the skill of those who tackle a complex subject and deliver it conversationally, simply, absent jargon. This book is immensely readable, exciting, and entertaining. Bravo! - Ira Teich, Canada.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Outstanding book!
    I love this read!
    I recommend it to everyone.
    Kids in school should have some introduction to this book as extracurricular read.
  • Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2024
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This is a great book humans transformation and evolution. The great insight in the coming future. It is a must read book.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great book. Extremely interesting and informative

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Jedi Maester Medo
    5.0 out of 5 stars awesome
    Reviewed in Egypt on April 30, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    awesome
  • Totally Blunt
    5.0 out of 5 stars It is a compelling read...
    Reviewed in Turkey on July 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I like the "brief history" style books, because they put eras in context. I'd enjoyed A Brief History of Everything for that reason and I enjoyed Sapiens, too. I particularly appreciated how Harari doesn't seem to have intellectual taboos and can give us the pros and cons of different phases of our political history. I wasn't unaware of everything in the book, but I did get some insights. The narrative is simple and devoid of unnecessary embellishment, which I like in literature, popular science and history books. I know that I WILL seek to read Harari's other books.
  • Kristine Akmentina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mindblowing
    Reviewed in Sweden on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant!
  • washbrol
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible wisdom and perspective
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on February 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    For the curious amongst us, this book delivers incredible outside-in perspective connecting the dots on who we are as human beings, where we come from, why we behave the way we do, and the motivations, fears and precedents that underlie so much of how and why we behave as societies and sometimes defy societal norms to behave as individuals out for our own personal gains.
  • SRthan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Me encantó la edición
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 9, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    El libro llegó en buenas condiciones; solo un poco doblado en una esquina pero realmente no me importó. La edición es muy bonita (compré el de plasta blanda), contiene imágenes a color y todo es de muy buena calidad. Recomendado.
    Report

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