Homo sapiens. Why not homo neanderthalensis or homo erectus? What set us apart from the handful of human species present around 100,000 years ago? How is it that we are still here, and they are not? This 'brief history of humankind' explores the forces that have shaped human societies through cognitive, agricultural and scientific revolutions.
Entertaining as well as spectacularly informative, this wide-ranging examination of our species from a professor of world history is a pleasure to read, even as one contemplates a possible cyborg future.
Comments from BDS Reviewers:
"It raises so many issues to think about. There are dozens of topics which are put in a timeline from 13.5 billion years ago until the present day."
"Everything is explained so clearly it is a very easy book to read in spite of its weighty subject matter."
"Dr Harai has a very dry wit. I laughed out loud at his very amusing observations."
"This isn't a book to read in one go – each part is full of examples and explanations."
"Extremely well written, researched and presented in layperson's terms."
"Lovely to read of the history of humankind in such a manner."
"In spite of the academic content, the book is not in the least dry or textbook-style."
"I think the only negative is that it's a "˜big read', but the book should appeal to all thinking people."
"Religion is put forward as a myth, one necessary to move sapiens from tribes of hunter-gatherers, to co-operative societies."
Categories: Non fiction, Big Read, Contemporary, Culture/Ethnic/Racial, Historical, Science & Technology, Social commentary/perspectives, 2018 Titles
