Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a 2011 book by Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari that surveys the history of Homo sapiens from the Stone Age to the 21st century.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a non-fiction book by Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari, first published in Hebrew in 2011 and in English in 2014. The book surveys the history of Homo sapiens from the Stone Age to the 21st century, presenting three major turning points: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, and the Scientific Revolution. It is based on a series of lectures Harari delivered at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Background

The book originated from a lecture series given by Yuval Noah Harari at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It was first published in Hebrew in Israel in 2011, with an English translation following in 2014.

Core thesis

Sapiens argues that the history of Homo sapiens is defined by three major revolutions: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, and the Scientific Revolution.

Scope and method

The book covers human history from prehistoric origins to the modern era. Harari draws on both natural sciences and social sciences to explain long-term patterns in human development.

Reception and influence

Sapiens became an internationally prominent popular-history title and helped establish Harari as a widely read public intellectual. In Canada, the book has been widely read and is commonly discussed in schools, libraries, and public discourse on human history and science.