Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780062316097)

Official U.S. edition with full color illustrations throughout.

New York Times Bestseller

A Summer Reading Pick for President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg

From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity's creation and evolution--a #1 international bestseller--that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be "human."

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one--homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.

Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?

Featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon Moalem.

Author: Yuval Noah Harari
ISBN-10: 0062316095
ISBN-13: 9780062316097
Publisher: Harper
Language: English
Published: 02/10/2015
Pages: 464
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 2.65lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.30w x 1.50d

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 11/17/2014
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2014
Library Journal 12/01/2014 pg. 124
Booklist 02/15/2015 pg. 16
Chronicle of Higher Education 04/10/2015 pg. 16
Choice 07/01/2015
Booklist Editors Choice/Adult 01/01/2016 pg. 8
Christian Century 03/02/2016 pg. 39