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bookber's review against another edition
*unrated as non-fic*
A very succinct and informative book summarising the entire history of humanity. I especially enjoyed the sections about the transition from foraging to farming, and how a big reason for the survival of Sapiens specifically can be attributed to our complex language system and our capacity to unite millions of people in the imagined ideas of religion, capitalism etc.
I admit I found some of the topics covered a little dry so at some parts I listened to the audio as I read along physically, but I still found it to be largely accessible and interesting. I also found the authors predictions on the longevity of Sapiens (spoilers: not long) very interesting, and agree that our naïve desire for more and more power will ultimately be our demise.
A very succinct and informative book summarising the entire history of humanity. I especially enjoyed the sections about the transition from foraging to farming, and how a big reason for the survival of Sapiens specifically can be attributed to our complex language system and our capacity to unite millions of people in the imagined ideas of religion, capitalism etc.
I admit I found some of the topics covered a little dry so at some parts I listened to the audio as I read along physically, but I still found it to be largely accessible and interesting. I also found the authors predictions on the longevity of Sapiens (spoilers: not long) very interesting, and agree that our naïve desire for more and more power will ultimately be our demise.
themadhatter180's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Presents interesting insights into the agricultural and cognitive revolutions. Towards the end they explore technologies place within human evolution and posits theories throughout
imat's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I've attempted to read Sapiens several times in the last 10 years. It's not that it's a bad book, just I had a hard time facing the realities of humanity. I thought listening to the audiobook would help me get through, and I was finally able to finish Harari's Sapiens. It's obviously not for everyone but I enjoyed almost everything about this book (economics kind of bores me...). Good read!
rebeccazh's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Getting through this book was a bit of a pain. Nonfiction is meant to provoke reflection and thinking but the author's writing is simplistic and seemed to strip out depth and nuance from topics. He also sounds blase about sensitive topics. I did learn lots of interesting facts but had to force myself to get through the chapters and ended up skipping some.