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Audiobooks > Science >  Life Sciences > Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Audiobook, by Yuval Noah Harari Play Audiobook Sample

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Audiobook

By: Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Audiobook, by Yuval Noah Harari Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Derek Perkins Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 10.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 7.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2017 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780062796233
4.48 out of 54.48 out of 54.48 out of 54.48 out of 54.48 out of 5 (4.48) - 27 listener ratings
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Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

27

Longest Chapter Length:

67:43 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

05 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

34:00 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

6

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Publisher Description

New York Times Bestseller

A Summer Reading Pick for President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg

From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”

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?

Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.

Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?

Featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon Moalem.

Download and start listening now!

"Although the narration could be a bit pompous at times, this was an enlightening and sometimes wickedly funny journey about humans told from a very interesting perspective. I laughed out loud several times. Harari shows us how environment changes culture and vice versa. Stories, myths and archetypes give meaning to human lives, but homo sapiens may be on the demise with the advent of artificial intelligence. Our intelligence, hypocrisy and greed are a pretty bad combo, and the author goes to many lengths explaining that for all of mankind's achievements, we are probably less happy as a whole, compared to back when we were nomadic hunter gatherers."

— SW (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Tackles the biggest questions of history and of the modern world, and it is written in unforgettably vivid language.”

    — Jared Diamond, New York Times bestselling author

  • “I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, engaging look at early human history.”

    — Bill Gates

  • “Sheds light on the biggest breakthroughs in the human story…important reading for serious-minded, self-reflective sapiens.”

    — Washington Post

Awards

  • New York Times bestseller
  • An Amazon Best Books of the Year Selection for 2015

Sapiens Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.64 out of 54.64 out of 54.64 out of 54.64 out of 54.64 out of 5 (4.64)
5 Stars: 19
4 Stars: 3
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 4.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 5 (4.67)
5 Stars: 17
4 Stars: 2
3 Stars: 1
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 16
4 Stars: 3
3 Stars: 2
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Philip, 8/24/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Matthew M. , 5/10/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — tonci cerina, 3/7/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Jorge Murillo, 1/16/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really interesting book! Will get the sequal! I like the narrator for this book. "

    — Pascal, 8/6/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Daniel Pereira, 3/8/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — 2/6/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Giovanni Mirante, 2/2/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Eva Pescevich, 10/15/2022
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    — Rick L, 10/6/2021
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    — N2alot, 6/25/2021
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — KAWES ZANGANA, 2/24/2021
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Gendel Hendricks, 11/26/2020
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Richard Shibles, 11/12/2020
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Bogdan Ciocsan, 10/20/2020
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Story Rating: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    — William, 4/11/2020
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is probably the best book I've ever read. It explains common issues in a very clear and understandable ways. The way the author describes and explains major issues is impressive. He might be provocative but everything he says is logical and makes a lot of sense. Everyone should read this book, especially closed minded people. Hopefully it would make them see things differently. "

    — Flo, 10/22/2018
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An awesome book with a fascinating perspective on humans as a species. A must-read for everyone. "

    — Oksana, 8/16/2018
  • Overall Performance: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Tuomas Karna, 5/25/2018
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    — Bluemoon, 4/15/2018
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I'm not really much for reading non-fiction. There, I said it. Although this was endlessly fascinating, for me it lacked a central thread running through the full book. I got a little lost in all the shifts of perspective. I listened through to the end, and probably will take another shot at listening some other time, but I think this might be proof that I'm really a fiction reader. "

    — barb, 7/12/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Thought provoking, exceptionally well written - I recommend to EVERYONE! "

    — Pam, 7/9/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of the best books I have ever come across. I have been through it 3 times now and still find it fascinating. It is a wonderful insight into us as a species and should be a must read for anyone. I highly recommend this book, even if you do not think you are a fan of history books. "

    — Brian, 4/20/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It's an amazing achievement what have we humans done so far. But reading this book will teach you that it came with a price for an entire ecosystem and it will help you better understand series of present day occurrences by knowing that they are rooted deep down in our ancestry. "

    — Stefan, 4/20/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book and found the narration to be excellent. I travel a lot and have found audiobooks a great way to read while on the go. I actually find I listen better than I read. I focus better. "

    — Greg, 10/3/2016
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Outstanding audio book. This "brief" history digs deeper into human evolution than I have ever gotten into. Really cool subjects are covered. I feel better learned about our history after listening to this book. Only downside: On a long road trip I can only listen to about 30 minutes at a time before getting tired. The upside of that is that by spreading out the listening of this book I probably absorbed more and could have interesting dialogue with friends that were also listening to it. "

    — Geoffrey, 8/15/2015

About Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and the award-winning author of several New York Times bestselling books, including Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. He is considered one of the world’s most influential public intellectuals working today. He was born in Israel, received his PhD from the University of Oxford, and is a lecturer in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s department of history. He co-founded the social impact company Sapienship, focused on education and media.

About Derek Perkins

Derek Perkins is a professional narrator and voice actor. He has earned numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, as well as numerous Society of Voice Arts nominations. AudioFile magazine named him a Best Voice consecutively in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Augmented by a knowledge of three foreign languages and a facility with accents, he has narrated numerous titles in a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres.