Sapiens

Official U.S. edition with full-color illustrations throughout. This #1 New York Times Bestseller is the Summer Reading Pick for President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg, now available in a beautifully packaged paperback. From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution, exploring how biology and history have shaped our understanding of what it means to be “human.” A hundred thousand years ago, multiple human species existed, yet only homo sapiens remain today. What led to the extinction of others, and what might happen to us? Unlike typical histories that focus solely on historical or biological perspectives, Dr. Yuval Noah Harari presents a unique narrative that starts around 70,000 years ago with the emergence of modern cognition. By examining the impact of evolving humans on the global ecosystem and the rise of empires, this work integrates history and science to challenge accepted narratives and connect past events with contemporary issues. Dr. Harari also prompts us to consider our future, as humans increasingly influence the laws of natural selection. With 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this thought-provoking book is essential for fans of prominent thinkers like Jared Diamond and Robert Wright.