Sapiens: a Graphic History
Delightful
Clever
Profound

Sapiens: a Graphic History The Birth of Humankind (Vol. 1)

The first volume, in a hardcover edition for libraries, of the graphic adaptation of Yuval Noah Harari's smash #1 New York Times and international bestseller recommended by President Barack Obama and Bill Gates, with gorgeous full-color illustrations and concise, easy to comprehend text for readers of all ages. One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one--homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us? In this first volume of the full-color illustrated adaptation of his groundbreaking book, renowned historian Yuval Harari tells the story of humankind's creation and evolution, exploring the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be "human." From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens challenges us to reconsider accepted beliefs, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and view specific events within the context of larger ideas. Featuring 256 pages of full-color illustrations and easy-to-understand text covering the first part of the full-length original edition, this adaptation of the mind-expanding book furthers the ongoing conversation as it introduces Harari's ideas to a wide new readership. --Wall Street Journal
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Reviews

Photo of Reiza H
Reiza H@rererei93
4 stars
May 21, 2024

What a ride! I spent around 3 hours 20 minutes to finish this book. It's the rich addition to the acclaimed Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. The illustrations and the stories, all contribute to giving the readers easier ways to contextualize. It's the first book of the series. Apparently, they still have 4-5 books to talked about how we, Sapiens, change not just ourselves, but our environment and our universe. The first book talked much about how an insignificant ape in East Africa managed to take over the world. How we outperform our cousins (Neanderthals, Denisovans, Erectus, etc) to be the sole dominant Homo on the planet. It all started with fire. Once we had the ability to control fire, we can conquer almost everyone. Even the beasts and our surrounding environments. But controlling fire wasn't enough to be the dominant species. Surely our cousins utilize fires too, right? Yes. But it gave us advantages over other animals. Next, comes the most important: The ability to develop and use complex communications. All other animals surely have their own means to communicate. But, as far as we know, it's only us that have the ability to use communication to talked about entirely everything. We can articulate our environments, describes the recent situation on the forest near our villages, explaining our dreams, visions, and even beyond. We can talk about the seen and the unseen, and even create laws, norms, and rules from that. Therefore, we can create stories, fictions, complex systems that can ensure one stranger to work together with another stranger. All in all, it's been a wonderful journey. Can't wait for another books!

Photo of Ashna Nirula
Ashna Nirula@ashnanirula
4.5 stars
Feb 22, 2024

every child should read this entire series. but man this made me even more sad that i havent finished the real thing, as it inevitably lacks the full picture (hence the 4.5 stars). running to read the real sapiens now...

+5
Photo of Seungmee Lee
Seungmee Lee@seungmeelee
5 stars
Mar 13, 2023

I haven't read the textbook version, but the graphic novel version is a lovely book to read over and over again. You can take a step back from society and people, and see history of ourselves as a human 'being', or 'species'.

+3
Photo of Keven Wang
Keven Wang@kevenwang
5 stars
Feb 4, 2023

This is the first graphic novel I have finished. Great job Yuval

Photo of Aakankaha Dwivedi
Aakankaha Dwivedi@she_reads
5 stars
Jan 30, 2023

It was fun to read. Took me out of the reading slump. I totally loved this illustrative edition of a magnificent book of our time. Loved it.

Photo of Aditi
Aditi@syahitya
3 stars
Nov 10, 2022

3.5. WIll need to read it all again to really come to terms with all the information, but it was an interesting read.

Photo of Aditi Verma
Aditi Verma@mixedblessings89
3 stars
Aug 28, 2022

3.5. WIll need to read it all again to really come to terms with all the information, but it was an interesting read.

Photo of Lotta
Lotta@themagicjedi
3 stars
Sep 5, 2021

3.5 stars Pretty cool graphic novel. I randomly picked it up from the library and I did enjoy it! I'm not sure who is the target audience for this, as the language used can be a little childish at times, but the topics discussed and jokes made are often more on the mature side. Didn't bother me though!

Photo of Erin
Erin @pagesofmilkandhoney
5 stars
Aug 30, 2021

This was excellent. I am very easily amazed at things, particularly science and/or history types of things. Science and evolution and humans are so cool in what they can do and accomplish. Although, humans are the ones on trial in this book, which is very interesting. I haven't read the full of Sapiens yet, but this is a great introduction to it and I can't wait to dive in (I've had a copy sitting on my bookshelf since April).

Photo of Ellie
Ellie@bapfelbaum
3.5 stars
May 10, 2022
Photo of Marcos Porto
Marcos Porto@marcos
4.5 stars
May 7, 2022
Photo of Megan Lapides
Megan Lapides@writteninthebooks
4.5 stars
Feb 20, 2022
+4
Photo of Nitya Prabhandam
Nitya Prabhandam@mewstherintelamon
5 stars
Nov 20, 2021
+7
Photo of Mat Connor
Mat Connor@mconnor
5 stars
Jun 25, 2024
Photo of Hooman Rostami
Hooman Rostami@hooman
4 stars
Jan 7, 2024
Photo of Mirella
Mirella@milli-54
4 stars
Jan 1, 2024
Photo of Derek Barlas
Derek Barlas@derekb
3 stars
Oct 4, 2023
Photo of Morgane
Morgane@helyna
3 stars
Aug 21, 2023
Photo of Cristina P Miclea
Cristina P Miclea @cristinapmiclea
3 stars
Sep 8, 2022
Photo of Madhav Nadar G
Madhav Nadar G@madhavg
5 stars
May 27, 2022
Photo of Karim Nas
Karim Nas@karimnas
3 stars
Dec 1, 2021
Photo of izzy
izzy@izzy
5 stars
Oct 20, 2021