One sentence summary
Yuval Harari’s bestselling book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, provides a comprehensive overview of human evolution and progress over the centuries.
Book genre
Sapiens is a non-fiction book that combines elements of anthropology, archaeology, and economics.
Main topic of the book
The main topic of the book is to trace the entire history of humanity from its beginnings in Africa, to its current life in the modern age.
Key ideas
- Humans have evolved to become the dominant species on the planet by using technology to improve their lives
- Belief systems such as religions and ideologies have helped to shape the course of human history
- Modern humans are still in the process of creating their own history by leveraging technology, economics, and politics
Main parts of the book and a short summary
The book is divided into five parts and each part offers a brief summary of a particular period in human history.
- The Cognitive Revolution: Explores the emergence of cognitive and social capabilities that set humans apart from other species.
- The Agricultural Revolution: Describes the advent of settled farming communities and how this switch to agriculture changed the course of human history.
- The Unification of Humankind: Examines how various empires formed and how trade, belief systems, and science helped those empires grow and thrive.
- The Scientific Revolution: Investigates the impact of science on society and how it has enabled humans to master nature.
- The Industrial Revolution: Discusses the emergence of modern industrial societies and how technology has transformed the global economy and environment.
Key takeaways
- Humans have evolved to become the dominant species on the planet, largely due to their use of technology.
- Belief systems such as religions and ideologies have played a profound role in shaping the course of human history.
- Science and technology have enabled humans to master nature and evolve faster than ever before.
- Humans are still in the process of creating their own history by utilizing economics, politics, and various forms of technology.
Author’s background and qualifications
Yuval Harari is an Israeli historian and professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author of multiple works of fiction and non-fiction, most notably his 2011 book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, which has become an international best seller.
Target audience
The book is geared towards a general audience with an interest in history and anthropology. It is suitable for anyone with a basic understanding of the subject matter.
Publisher and first publication date
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind was first published in 2011 by Harvill Secker. It was later translated into English by Yahoo Press.