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

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!

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...

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'.

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

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.

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

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

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!

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).












