Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari

February 10, 2015

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is a book that takes the reader on a comprehensive journey through human history. Harvey's sweeping narrative takes us from the earliest humans who walked the African savannah to the complex societies of today. The book is full of clever insights and has been described as an "unputdownable intellectual roller-coaster."Harvey starts out by introducing us to the four major revolutions in human history – the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. He then dives into the evolution of Homo Sapiens and their impact on nature, their relationships with one another, the development of social classes, the role of religion, and the evolution of power structures.Harvey discusses how we got to the world we live in today, including the neverending pursuit of economic growth and power, the globalization of our societies, and the role of technology. In looking to the future, he paints a picture of what might happen as humans continue to evolve and artificial intelligence emerges. Sapiens is a thought-provoking, timely and often sobering read, one that sparks discussions on the origins of our species, the power of our technologies, and the future of our species.