Sapiens: A Brief History Of Humankind

by Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens: A Brief History Of Humankind cover
Good Books rating 3.94
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  • ID: 1806
  • Added: 2025-10-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-10
  • Formats: 10
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
brilliant 4.50

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a bestselling book that emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. The author challenges readers to break free from the constant chatter in their heads and embrace mindfulness, offering practical exercises and insights to achieve greater peace and authenticity. While some may find the concepts challenging, the book is highly recommended for those seeking spiritual growth.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a long-time bestseller that challenges readers to break free from the constant chatter in their heads and embrace the power of living in the present moment. Through practical exercises and insights, Tolle guides readers on a journey towards greater peace, fulfillment, and authenticity. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of the ego and how it can prevent true happiness. While some readers may find Tolle’s ideas challenging or difficult to grasp at first, especially if they are new to the concept of mindfulness or spiritual growth, the book is highly recommended for those seeking to deepen their understanding of these concepts. The author’s genuine and insightful approach makes the book a must-read for readers of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Quick quotes

    It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.

    Any action is often better than no action, especially if you have been stuck in an unhappy situation for a long time. If it is a mistake, at least you learn something, in which case it’s no longer a mistake. If you remain stuck, you learn nothing.

    I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.

Gates Notes · Bill Gates · 2025-10-20
provocative 4.75

Bill Gates finds the book exceptionally well-written, accessible, and enjoyable, praising its provocative look at human history.

Bill Gates highly recommends Sapiens, calling it exceptionally well-written and accessible. He appreciates the book's provocative exploration of human history and its ability to make complex ideas understandable. Gates finds the book enjoyable and thought-provoking, highlighting its ability to challenge conventional wisdom and offer new perspectives on human history. He commends Harari's ability to blend different disciplines and present a coherent and engaging narrative.

Quick quotes

    A big reason for his popularity is that Sapiens is exceptionally well-written, accessible, and even enjoyable to read.

    Harari's ability to blend history, biology, and anthropology into a coherent and engaging narrative is impressive.

    The book challenges conventional wisdom and offers new perspectives on human history.

bethinking.org · Unknown · 2025-10-15
critical 2.00

The reviewer finds 'Sapiens' well-written and accessible but criticizes it for being light on science and heavy on speculative storytelling. Academics have also criticized the book for its lack of serious contributions to knowledge and its sensationalism.

The reviewer appreciates 'Sapiens' for its engaging writing style and broad appeal, noting its prominent display in bookstores. However, they find the book lacking in scientific rigor and data, relying heavily on evolutionary psychology without substantial evidence. The reviewer highlights harsh critiques from academics, who describe the book as offering more speculation than serious knowledge. Despite its popularity, the book's claims about human origins and evolution are seen as controversial and not well-supported.

Quick quotes

    The book is light on science and data, and heavy on fact-free story-telling

    There’s a whiff of dorm-room bull sessions about the author’s stimulating but often unsourced assertions.

    Much of Sapiens is extremely interesting, and it is often well expressed. As one reads on, however, the attractive features of the book are overwhelmed by carelessness, exaggeration and sensationalism.

discovery.org · Unknown · 2025-10-15
thought-provoking 4.50

The book offers a sweeping and thought-provoking exploration of human history, blending science, philosophy, and storytelling. It challenges conventional views and invites readers to reconsider their understanding of humanity's past and future.

Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens is a monumental work that weaves together insights from various disciplines to tell the story of humankind. The book's broad scope and engaging narrative make it accessible and compelling, even as it tackles complex topics like the Cognitive Revolution and the Agricultural Revolution. Harari's unique perspective encourages readers to think critically about the forces that have shaped our world. While some may find the book's ambitious scope overwhelming, its thought-provoking ideas and engaging style make it a must-read for anyone interested in human history and the future of our species.

Quick quotes

    Harari's writing is both informative and engaging, making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience.

    The book's broad scope and engaging narrative make it a compelling read.

    Harari's unique perspective encourages readers to think critically about the forces that have shaped our world.

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