One of the best books I've ever read! Highly recommend it. A philosophy teacher made us read it, and thanks to him, I learned a lot about the origins of humankind and most of the major concepts we know today, such as war, money, and capitalism. A historical and evolutionary perspective.
Can you please add more information about the book - some specific topics it covers that really stood out to you, does it come from a certain point of view, what’s the writing style, is there humor, something more please so that your post won’t be deleted.
I'm fucking obsessed with this book, it changed how I see everything.
Not my kind of book. Got into it because of the hype and dropped it
I love that I read it, and don't regret reading it, but I found it to be a chore to read. Super interesting, but a long-ass chore.
I’ve given up half way through, I think the second half was better but couldn’t take it anymore
Yeah I’m reading it now and it’s interesting but very verbose. Every chapter feels like he gets the info across and then proceeds to keep giving examples more than necessary. It does seem worth the slog though
Agree with you 100% on this. The first 200 pages were amazing. The rest... Well
My man
Nice
I agree, I also learned loads! Yes, it does not cover all and everything from this world, but that's impossible and I think it's a good summary of humanity.
If you're interested in a review of sorts, the podcast If Books Could Kill covered d this recently. I thought it was interesting.
I was only able to put up with about a third of the book after trying to read it because someone suggested it to me. I just went to check out this podcast and it had me cracking up, loved it.
I was juuuust scrolling by when I saw the cover of the book on the post and remembered I had laughed so hard at that episode of If Books Could Kill, glad you mentioned that here. Love that podcast!
Is this the one where they had to take a two day break because Peter had a migraine talking about it? That was hilarious
They’re both such drama queens, I love them
Worth pointing out that it is not complimentary, since op said they enjoyed the book.
If Books Could Kill did a deep dive recently.
I really liked the book but that episode really made me rethink my position. Great podcast.
There are experts on early man. There are experts on Renaissance Europe. There are experts on colonial America. There are even experts who have studied broader trends of each era.
But if a someone claims to write a definitive history on ALL of mankind's history, and there are several such books on the market, I tend to assume they can't truly know what they're talking about and I elect not to read their book.
Just a personal opinion.
It does say brief lol
Brave of you to not read this. The author calls it a “brief”history, not definitive. As you said, you are just assuming, but where’s the fun in that. Just try it and maybe you’ll learn something and like it.
I like this book, but I highly recommend David Eagleman, anything David Eagleman. Much easier to get through
Jesus Christ this is depressing.
Why?
Oh no! Harari doesn’t know what he’s talking about
I’ve seen this book a lot and have it on my “want to read list” (that list is VERY long though, lmao), and I’ve noticed most of the comments seem to lean towards it being a “bad” book.
I really enjoy anthropology (don’t know what this would be called) and was wondering if you, or anyone, would recommend a book like this that is more factual?
Reading his 'Homo Deus' book was torturous. I picked it up on a whim, but it was like reading Techbro apologia. 'Capitalism good and progressive, socialism bad and authoritarian. The customer is always right, people always vote in their best interests, and technology will set us free. And since we're all gunna succumb to the emerging billionaire post-human cyborgs anyway, the most 'meaningful" thing you can do in life is scan your genome and start recording every experience you have in life.' <-- I shit you not he said that second part almost verbatim near the end; just google 'Harari Dataism'
Listen to the “If books could kill” episode about this book!
I was just about to recommend the same thing.
I appreciated this book as a sort of gateway into Anthropology and bigger-picture questions but nowadays I absolutely treasure David Graeber, especially The Dawn of Everything.
Dawn of Everything is amazing! And those who like it should check out Johan Huizinga's old classic Homo Ludens. We're a playful bunch, us hoomans.