1. BOOK REVIEW
SAPHIENS – A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUMANKIND
Author : Yuval Harari
Place : Israel
Publisher : Harper
Publication date : 2011(in Hebrew), 2014 (in English)
Genre : Non fiction
Pages : 443
Price : 450 rupees
ISBN : 978-0062316097
“YOU COULD NEVER CONVINCE A MONKEY TO GIVE YOU A BANANA BY
PROMISING HIM LIMITLESS BANANAS AFTER DEATH IN MONKEY HEAVEN
SAPIENS is a guide to becoming an expert on the entire history of the human
race as it reviews everything our species has been through from ancient
ancestors to our dominating place in the world today.
Sapiens presents a work on the evolution of humanity. In it, the author Yuval
Noah Harari rewrites the history of the human being through time. Turning to
striking facts such as the development of communication: The cognitive
revolution, The agricultural revolution, The scientific revolution. The book
addresses the central points of our Evolution and Explores the Positive and
Negative points of these developments. Also, Sapiens also addresses the future
of humanity, where these revolutions will lead man and what we will become.
Here are the 3 most interesting lessons this bookteaches about our species:
2. 1. The ability to think gave early humans language, which eventually led to
agricultural advances allowing them to grow exponentially. Homo sapiens had
some distinct advantages that let them get ahead of other human species on
earth. Most importantly are the differences in humans brains. These began with
the Cognitive Revolution around 70,000 years ago. This was a time when
mental development roserelatively suddenly, setting our ancient ancestors
apart.
2. Improvements in trade were only possible with the invention of money and
writing. With agriculture, humans became more efficient with their time and
energy. This let some people begin doing other work like weaving or
blacksmithing. These individuals would then trade or barter with farmers,
exchanging their goods forfood. While this new system was better, it quickly
became inefficient.
3. With better Economic and Communication means, Scientific Progress gave
our race the abilities necessary to get to where we are today. Now that they had
efficient food, trading, and writing methods, our ancestors could begin thinking
more. This led to a scientific revolution with many people considering ways to
improve their way of life.
SUMMARY
Although not the first humans, Homo sapiens came to replace all other
human species on Earth.
With the Cognitive Revolution, Homo sapiens acquired thinking and
Communication Skills that allowed them to conquer the globe.
The capacity for complex language gave Homo sapiens great
advantages, allowing them to spread and thrive.
During the Agricultural Revolution, humans transformed from foragers
into farmers, which led to exponential population growth.
3. In order to facilitate trade in large communities, humans invented
money and writing.
The emergence of empires and religion pushed humankind in the
direction of global unification.
The scientific revolution modernized humanity, paving the way for new
technologies, imperialism and economic growth. #8: Today’s global
society, with its central belief in the power of capitalism, is a legacy of
European imperialism.
Humankind has never been more peaceful than in our globalized times.
History is neither good nor bad, and its twists and turns are largely
irrelevant to our subjective happiness.
