Sapiens

by Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens cover
Good Books rating 3.75
History
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  • ID: 613
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-11-01
  • ISBN: 9781448190690
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2014-09-04
  • Formats: 126
  • Reviews: 4

Sapiens delves into the fascinating journey of Homo sapiens, from our earliest ancestors to the modern era. Harari examines the key milestones that shaped our species, including the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, and the Scientific Revolution. This book is not just a history lesson but a profound reflection on what it means to be human, blending science, history, and philosophy to offer a fresh perspective on our past, present, and future. /n/n Praised by figures like Barack Obama and Bill Gates, Sapiens has become a global phenomenon, selling over 2 million copies. It's a book that will change the way you see the world, making you question the stories we tell ourselves and the impact they have on our lives.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-10
enlightening 4.00

The book is described as beautifully written and easy to read, sparking a desire to learn more about the evolution of the world. The reviewer is captivated by the author's perspective.

This review highlights the book's accessibility and engaging writing style, which makes complex topics about human evolution understandable and interesting. The reviewer appreciates how the book stimulates curiosity and encourages further exploration of the subject. They find the author's perspective refreshing and thought-provoking, making it a compelling read that leaves a lasting impression. The reviewer enjoys the way the book connects various aspects of human history and evolution, providing a comprehensive overview.

Quick quotes

    Beautifully written and easy to read, this book just made me want to know more and more about how the author thinks the world evolved to what it is today.

    Harari's unique perspective on human history is both enlightening and engaging.

    The book's ability to make complex topics accessible is one of its greatest strengths.

gatesnotes.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
mixed 3.00

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari offers an engaging and informative account of human history, covering major revolutions and developments. However, the review criticizes the book for its carelessness, exaggeration, and sensationalism, noting that Harari's sweeping judgments and reckless causal connections detract from its overall quality.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari provides a sweeping overview of human history, from the cognitive revolution to the biotechnological revolution. The book is praised for its engaging and informative style, particularly in discussing the agricultural revolution and the impact of modern industrial agriculture. However, the review points out that Harari's work is marred by carelessness, exaggeration, and sensationalism. The reviewer criticizes Harari's misuse of historical facts, such as the account of the battle of Navarino, and his sweeping judgments about liberal humanism. Despite these flaws, much of the book is found to be extremely interesting and well-expressed. The reviewer suggests that while the book has its merits, it is ultimately undermined by its lack of precision and depth in certain areas.

Quick quotes

    Harari swashbuckles through these vast and intricate matters in a way that is — at its best — engaging and informative.

    It's a neat thought that "we did not domesticate wheat. It domesticated us.

    Never mind his standard and repeated misuse of the saying "the exception proves the rule" (it means that exceptional or rare cases test and confirm the rule, because the rule turns out to apply even in those cases).

sheseeksnonfiction.blog · Unknown · 2025-09-23
thought-provoking 4.50

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is a thought-provoking exploration of human history that challenges conventional narratives. The book's broad scope and engaging style make it accessible, though some may find its ambitious reach overwhelming.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is a sweeping journey through the history of the human species, offering fresh perspectives on familiar events. The book's strength lies in its ability to connect disparate historical threads into a coherent narrative, making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience. However, its ambitious scope means that some topics are touched upon only briefly, which might leave readers wanting more depth in certain areas. The engaging writing style and thought-provoking insights make it a compelling read for anyone interested in understanding the broader context of human development. While the book's broad strokes can sometimes feel overwhelming, the overall experience is enriching and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    The book's greatest strength is its ability to connect seemingly unrelated events into a coherent narrative.

    Harari's writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex ideas understandable.

    The ambitious scope of the book means that some topics are only briefly touched upon.

reddit.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
thought-provoking 3.50

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is a dense and comprehensive exploration of human history, blending scientific facts with thought-provoking perspectives. While it offers fascinating insights into human evolution and societal developments, its conspiratorial tone and nostalgic view of hunter-gatherer life may not resonate with all readers.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is a dense and comprehensive exploration of human history, blending scientific facts with thought-provoking perspectives. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Homo sapiens to the Agricultural Revolution and the Scientific Revolution. Harari's writing is detailed and informative, offering fascinating insights into human evolution and societal developments. However, the book's conspiratorial tone and nostalgic view of hunter-gatherer life may not resonate with all readers. The reviewer found the book to be very dense, almost like a textbook, which made it a slow read. They appreciated Harari's thoroughness but found his perspective on modern society somewhat pessimistic. Overall, the book is a thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on human history.

Quick quotes

    The positive press was boosted by the reviews featured on the book by Barack Obama, who said “Interesting and provocative. . . . It gives you a sense of perspective on how briefly we’ve been on this earth, how short things like agriculture and science have been around, and why it makes sense for us to not take them for granted,” and Bill Gates, who remarked, “I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, engaging look at early human history. . . . You’ll have a hard time putting it down.

    I did not have a hard time putting it down. This wasn’t because it was bad, but this book is very, very dense.

    Harari was showing us the history of humankind through the lens of remembering that Homo sapiens is just another species of mammal, an animal that for most of its history, was insignificant.

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