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Book Review of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
kickerdad avatar reviewed on + 114 more book reviews


I'm not sure but I think I added this book to my 'TBR' [To Be Read] list after seeing it on a Bill Gates recommended reading list . . . or something like that. Sapiens is what you think it would be, a history of Sapiens, homo and otherwise.
Clearly written, the reader is led on a brisk adventure through an anthropological history of our species. If you want a hard hitting fact-driven account, Sapiens only slightly misses the mark. Harari opts to weave theories with thoughtful introspection. It will take several chapters but the reader will eventually believe that Harari favors no religious, economic, political, or social group. If you think he 'is on your side', 'supports your views', 'agrees with your ideologies' - wait a few chapters to be slighted with all the others. However, the degradation isn't belittling, insulting, or derogatory, and often not even obvious, but subtle and acts as reminder that we are all in this together, no matter our perspectives.
Consistent pacing and, as several reviews have stated, hard to put down once you start other than the fact that its big and heavy! [4/5]