Sapiens
Harari, Yuval NoahHomo 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.
Pages
498
498
Year
2011
2011
Reviews
09-11-2023
Some people love it but some ( the more religious in the group) didn't. It provoked very good discussion though, hence the high score.
24-03-2023
Not everyone finished this book, but everyone read a number of chapters. It led to a very stimulating conversation to which all members could join, because his ideas were so universal as well as controversial for some. Well worth reading.
17-11-2021
Unanimously enjoyed by those at last night's meeting. Good discussion.
06-09-2021
We had a lively discussion, but several of the group did not finish the book.
18-08-2021
Only one of us managed to finish this book, but a couple of others were loving it and will buy and finish it. A couple felt it was the sort of boring book they were forced to read at school. The majority view was that it was reasonably interesting but too long and the Olympics were too distracting.
10-05-2021
We found this an extremely thought-provoking book.
22-03-2021
We found this an extremely thought-provoking book, and appreciated the extra time, thank you.
23-11-2019
Incredible from page one to page four hundred and sixty six (it is long). It shares incredible theories - not all agree with these but they are still well presented. Several group members could not finish it in the month and are buying it so they can finish.
10-07-2019
We felt the book deserved a 5. It generated heaps of discussion. Some of us felt it should be a two-month read. Enjoyed by most of us who read it.
10-07-2019
Great tapestry of history. Demolished most of the mythology on which H.S have survived. Jolly good read. Clever and thought-provoking. 4 stages to the book - 1st 1/4 excellent, 2nd got bogged down, 3rd was heavy going, and in the 4th, he toyed with readers!!
07-06-2019
Well-written. Easy to read example of a subject that could easily have been very dry. Very thought provoking and provoked a lot of discussion amongst the group.
15-04-2019
So clear, so humorous, so well researched. Gave an excellent understanding of why we are the way we are.
15-04-2019
Fascinating. Interesting. Created a lot of thought about humanity.
11-02-2019
We liked the world overview of this book, but didn't like his simplistic way of dealing with some very complex ideas. Great discussion among the group.
11-02-2019
There were mixed reactions: about half of us enjoyed it, though some felt it should have been a 2-month effort. A couple didn't finish it. We generally agreed that the huge topic was dealt with in a thought-provoking way and with a light touch. There was a lot to discuss, since, as well as facts, the author expresses personal conclusions, open to debate.
11-02-2019
Should be read by every human.