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the_grimm_reader 's review for:
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
by Yuval Noah Harari
I first came across Harari through a YouTube interview promoting his recent book, Nexus. In that interview, he spoke about ideas I had never considered and from a perspective far removed from my day-to-day understanding. I was fascinated, so I added Nexus to my reading list. In the process, I discovered Harari’s other works and decided to start with Sapiens, which appeared to be his debut book.
I want to note that there are plenty of reviews that either wholeheartedly praise or harshly critique this work—my aim here is neither to fully support nor to rebuke. I am no expert, but I can tell you that Sapiens was an engaging read from beginning to end. Considering that Harari covers (in 416 pages!) the history of Homo sapiens—spanning roughly 70,000 years—it’s inevitable that some details will be left out.
I rated the book 5 stars, not because I am an authority, but because of the overall experience. There’s a unique electricity that lights up my mind when I encounter new ideas and concepts presented in such a clear, engaging manner. Harari possesses that rare gift. He offers perspectives that, while rooted in the human experience, seem to transcend our usual viewpoint—as if observed from a detached, almost divinely humorous plateau. Some parts of the book were overwhelming, others terrifying or hopeful, yet throughout, Harari infuses his narrative with a tone of warm fascination and whimsy. In my view, adding a pinch of joy to this 70,000-year tale is essential; without it, the weight of history could feel too heavy.
I am truly glad I read this book—it has even inspired me to add two more of Harari’s works to my reading list. I deeply appreciate the way he thinks and writes, and I eagerly look forward to more of what he has to offer.
One aspect worth noting is that Sapiens was originally released in Israel in 2011 and later updated in 2014 for a global audience. This revision seems to have had a significant impact, especially as the narrative approached the modern era. In a short chapter near the end, I sensed that the author might have been limited by the contemporary historical context available to him; had he had access to more hyper-modern events, his perspectives might have shifted. Reading the book in 2025—over a decade since its global release—lends a different spin to some of the discussions in Chapters 18 and 19.
In those chapters, one excerpt stood out to me. It conveyed a sense that Harari was acutely aware of the crossroads at which humanity stands, poised to step into one of several possible futures. Below is that memorable excerpt:
"To satisfy both optimists and pessimist, we may conclude by saying that we are on the threshold of both heaven and hell, moving nervously between the gateway of the one and the anteroom of the other. History has not decided where we will end up, and a string of coincidences might yet send us rolling in either direction."
— Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
I want to note that there are plenty of reviews that either wholeheartedly praise or harshly critique this work—my aim here is neither to fully support nor to rebuke. I am no expert, but I can tell you that Sapiens was an engaging read from beginning to end. Considering that Harari covers (in 416 pages!) the history of Homo sapiens—spanning roughly 70,000 years—it’s inevitable that some details will be left out.
I rated the book 5 stars, not because I am an authority, but because of the overall experience. There’s a unique electricity that lights up my mind when I encounter new ideas and concepts presented in such a clear, engaging manner. Harari possesses that rare gift. He offers perspectives that, while rooted in the human experience, seem to transcend our usual viewpoint—as if observed from a detached, almost divinely humorous plateau. Some parts of the book were overwhelming, others terrifying or hopeful, yet throughout, Harari infuses his narrative with a tone of warm fascination and whimsy. In my view, adding a pinch of joy to this 70,000-year tale is essential; without it, the weight of history could feel too heavy.
I am truly glad I read this book—it has even inspired me to add two more of Harari’s works to my reading list. I deeply appreciate the way he thinks and writes, and I eagerly look forward to more of what he has to offer.
One aspect worth noting is that Sapiens was originally released in Israel in 2011 and later updated in 2014 for a global audience. This revision seems to have had a significant impact, especially as the narrative approached the modern era. In a short chapter near the end, I sensed that the author might have been limited by the contemporary historical context available to him; had he had access to more hyper-modern events, his perspectives might have shifted. Reading the book in 2025—over a decade since its global release—lends a different spin to some of the discussions in Chapters 18 and 19.
In those chapters, one excerpt stood out to me. It conveyed a sense that Harari was acutely aware of the crossroads at which humanity stands, poised to step into one of several possible futures. Below is that memorable excerpt:
"To satisfy both optimists and pessimist, we may conclude by saying that we are on the threshold of both heaven and hell, moving nervously between the gateway of the one and the anteroom of the other. History has not decided where we will end up, and a string of coincidences might yet send us rolling in either direction."
— Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind