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Sapiens

By: Yuval Noah Harari
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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Editorial reviews

Our species has only roamed the Earth for 200,000 years — but in that time, we’ve done more to change the face of the planet than any other creature in existence. In his provocative best-selling work Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari takes listeners on a journey through the history of mankind, from the Stone Age to today. 

Over the course of this un-pausable audiobook, Harari examines how each generation of humanity left its mark on the planet - and how we’re still changing our world as each day passes. 

Audie Award-winning English voice actor Derek Perkins skilfully navigates this thorough, research-driven work, setting the perfect tone for this riveting audiobook with his deep, intellectual delivery.  

To put it simply in the words of one listener: 'Prepare to have your mind blown'.

Publisher's Summary

The Sunday Times best seller.

Earth is 4.5 billion years old. In just a fraction of that time, one species among countless others has conquered it. Us.

We are the most advanced and most destructive animals ever to have lived. What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us sapiens?

In this bold and provocative audiobook, Yuval Noah Harari explores who we are, how we got here, and where we're going.

Sapiens is a thrilling account of humankind's extraordinary history from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age and our journey from insignificant apes to rulers of the world. For more, visit www.ynharari.com.

©2011 Yuval Noah Harari (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Interesting and provocative.... It gives you a sense of how briefly we've been on this Earth." (Barack Obama)

"Jaw-dropping from the first word to the last.... It may be the best book I've ever read." (Chris Evans)

"Sweeps the cobwebs out of your brain.... Radiates power and clarity." (Sunday Times)

What listeners say about Sapiens

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Thought-provoking

I found it to be very interesting, challenging some assumptions that I may not have given thought to otherwise. I read plenty of reviews also and found that most negative reviews were based on some form of offence taken to ideas presented in the book. I did not perceive his work as absolute, merely a presentation of possible scenarios and ideas, with a healthy dose of reasoning and explanation.

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63 people found this helpful

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Prepare to have you mind blown

This is by far the best book I have ever read.

It moves at the pace of mankind's development getting faster and faster as it goes.

It will change your perspective on so many things at so many levels. This book is a must for anyone who wants to think deeply about where we come from and how that impacts the way we live today.

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42 people found this helpful

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A must read for anyone who thinks.

Think you know something about anything? Read this and then think again. Harari often states the obvious, but these statements a mind blowing because we've all just taken them for granted, not even being aware that it's something worth thinking about.

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27 people found this helpful

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It’s just too smug

There’s nothing new here and the old story isn’t retold in any special way. Given the scope of the project, there shouldn’t be time to squander on platitudes - but the book is padded with smug generalisations and meandering, unsupported assertions. I thought I might get some value from the purchase by letting my nine year old listen to it. She said she enjoyed the facts but that there weren’t enough of them. We both gave up on a bad job. Big history seems to be weak history.

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24 people found this helpful

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so good

This is a vast and insightful work that does what all great non-fiction should do- it makes you feel smarter after hearing it. But also, you feel a bit dirty because lets face it, we are a terrifying species when viewed from certain angles.

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21 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

.

It's interesting...but everyone is taking it as the truth about everything despite it being incomplete (as it has to be - there's too much history in the world for one book). That's a problem, when you're talking about neuroscience and psychology, if there's no nuance. It's also incorrect - Tasmanian Aboriginal people still exist, and to say they don't contributes to ongoing damage done by colonisation - damage that the author acknowledges and speaks about and then continues to perpetuate.

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18 people found this helpful

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One of the rare books that intrigued me constantly

If you ever wondered what your (human) place is in the universe, read this. Find out how we humans began, how homo-sapiens conquered the Earth, and why you have all of those problems in life. It's like a weight is gradually lifting from your shoulders, the further you read/listen.

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13 people found this helpful

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Exceptional

Cannot recommend this book more highly. A transformative experience that will encourage you to question everything

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11 people found this helpful

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Revelatory!

This was a fascinating take on the evolution of Sapiens and prediction of unshackling humanity from the bonds of the body!
I was riveted and could not get through this audiobook fast enough.

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9 people found this helpful

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life as I knew it has changed for the better.

everyone MUST read this account and subjective explanation of our history. It is an eye opener and will make of you a happier person if you are open minded.

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5 people found this helpful

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.