I've been really excited to read Yuval Noah Harari's 'Sapiens' for a while now, and I finally got my hands on it. To my surprise, it is far more than just a history book. Harari narrates our evolutionary journey in such a captivating manner that once you start, you simply can't put it down.
Every book carries a story with a protagonist. This book positions each reader as its protagonist, inviting introspection into one's own past. Understanding evolution, spanning millions of years may be quite challenging. However, Dr. Harari keeps the readers glued to the book with his engaging storytelling.
What resonates most about this book is its narrative style. By weaving historical facts with speculative insights, Harari offers a compelling story that engages readers on a personal level.
What I liked in this book: -
The book is in the form of a story making it interesting and engaging. One cannot refrain from being curious to know about 'what happened next?' as you turn through the pages.
Dr. Harari draws a clear line between proven facts and speculative theories, providing clarity and credibility to the narrative.
He observes and narrates the facts from evidence allowing readers to interpret without judgment, possibly influenced by his Vipassana practices :)
The author employs gender-neutral language in examples, setting a positive standard for present and future writers.
His blend of history, anthropology, and philosophy makes for a truly captivating read. Perhaps he must be a versatile reader across various subjects.
"The remarkable ability of Sapiens to connect with a larger number of their own species through communication and storytelling sets our species apart from others. For instance, a monkey can communicate to its community that a threat is near the riverbank, but it can never communicate that there is a spirit standing there(!)." This concept resonated with me as the most compelling idea in the book.
'Sapiens' isn't just about the past; it's an engaging journey that makes you think about where we came from and where we're headed. The author does a great job of showing both the good and bad sides of humanity along the way.
Understanding where we came from can be complex, but 'Sapiens' gives us a roadmap to explore and think about our past. It helps us understand our own history better and encourages us to be curious. Once you finish this book, you can't help but become a fan of the author! :)