This is a profound book. I took over 30 pages of notes.
This is the best book I've read on our 'imagined orders', money, religion, politics, law etc, their clash with the discoveries of science, and how we try to find meaning in it all.
The author says that liberalism is the dominant religion today, I would say it's consumerism. Either way, or another way, can't wait to get into the authors next book
An ambitious and interesting overview of the history of Homo Sapiens. The tone is light and sometimes flippant, but the topics covered aren't, and the author raises some very important questions about our place in the scheme of things, and our future development. I did find the book actually a bit disappointing towards the end; the first 2/3 were a fascinating read, with great insights, fresh perspectives, and well-written reflections on where we came from and how we got here. After that, however, the tone set in the first part of the book didn't work for the topics being discussed, and the narrative was lacking in the kind of surprising insights that made the first part such an enjoyable read. Certainly a book I would recommend reading, but ultimately not as satisfying as it at first promised to be.
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I followed Dr Harari's course (in MOOC form) a couple of years ago and waited eagerly for the ebook to come out. He writes about the most serious implications of our humanity and inhumanity in a way that is both tongue-in-cheek and in deadly earnest. I found many of his insights profoundly disturbing. In particular his account of the impact of Sapiens' callous and indifferent treatment of those hapless domesticated animals who had the misfortune to be so useful to us.
This is a brilliant storytelling exercise, devoid of cheesy hopefulness. But is core mechanistic assessment of life leaves you feeling bleak. So too does an objective assessment of today's politics, transglobal capitalism and environmental destruction. Many he's onto something? Just despair...
Amazing book beautifully written, very thought provoking and at times troubling. I really loved the style of the book, the way the author discusses his ideas and thoughts not using selective facts to back up his ideas like so many people do.. don't miss this read
Provides an enthralling recount of Homo Sapiens and our place in the world told through engaging themes. However, many questions are developed which give strong reason for pause. We are a work in progress and many consequences of our development deserve further consideration and may require a change in values and behaviour. Recommended.
This has given me insight into my own daily thoughts, behaviours and urges and explains why we act as we do. The execution of flow from one topic to another made this philosophical book easy for an open minded person to follow and understand. I listened to it while doing a fortnightly 8 hour commute and I was always looking forward to starting again where I left off.
I think most people have only some understanding of fragments of the past, so Harari's concise but coherent and cogent narrative offers a really compelling big picture. The narrative is Interesting, insightful and at times profound, Harari seems to see the world differently to how most people would and can connect seemingly unrelated dots. I think many people would enjoy this book and learn a lot. I'm eager to read Harari's next instalment.