Sapiens A Graphic History, Volume 1: The Birth of Humankind (SAPIENS: A GRAPHIC HISTORY, 1)
£15.20£19.00 (-20%)
The first volume of the graphic adaptation of Yuval Noah Harari’s global phenomenon and smash SUNDAY TIMES #1 BESTSELLER. Featuring 256 pages of gorgeous full-colour illustrations and wrapped in a beautiful package.
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 adaptation of his ground-breaking 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 easy-to-understand text covering the first part of the original edition, this adaptation of the mind-expanding book furthers the ongoing conversation as it introduces Harari’s ideas to a wider new readership.
‘[A] wonderful graphic novel… Smart, funny and dipped deep in the reality of what we as a species are…’ Big Issue *Books of the Year*
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (12 Nov. 2020), Jonathan Cape |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 248 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1787332810 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1787332812 |
| Reading age | 14 – 17 years |
| Dimensions | 19.7 x 12.9 x 0.26 cm |
by Djilly L.
if you loved Homo sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 lessons for the 21st-century then you will certainly love this book. It is beautifully illustrated for all of the family to read together. Even solo reading as a young adult I find it a pleasure to read. It is very comical and yet Still manages to present the facts. I can’t wait for volume two
by Fidere
Having read Home Sapiens and Homo Deus, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this book. My children love this and they’ve learned so much about human history whole having fun doing so.
The pictures are beautiful and the knowledge is easy to consume in this form. I can’t wait for chapter 2!
by LRM
My 9 year old loves this book!
by Djilly L.
This is a great graphic novel that combines a host of scientific, technological and anthropological disciplines. It reads exceptionally well, and the hardcover book is simply very nicely presented. The book served as a perfect present for my 11-year old bookworm who loves both history and graphic novels.
Now, I should say that I do have mixed feelings about the author and his Sapiens and Homo Deus books. On the one hand they cover a super broad scope and combine thousands of years of human experience, history and knowledge. In a sense it is phenomenal how Mr Harari cleverly combines a readable account that crosses many disciplines in to a fantastic narrative, that is frankly very entertaining.
However, you first of all will have to digest the authors agenda, his thoughts on animal suffering, his view on where humanity is heading, his assertion that hunter gathers were happier ect.
And then there are many assertions that are presented as a fact like how the agricultural revolution was detrimental to human wellbeing, his statement that Neanderthals ceased to exist because modern humans had superior cognitive abilities. Nevertheless most comes without evidencing research, nor is it supported by historical facts. This given that these books are so popular is a little troubling to say the least. Thirdly, perhaps because these are concepts that generally interest me, there was very little in these books and in this graphic novel that I didn’t know about, or did not intuitively know.
So it’s a great piece of pop-non-fiction. However it also serves as a one of the best examples that as a reader you should be suspicious of pseudo history that covers a broad range of disciplines.
by Fidere
I was disappointed as the book is not really a description of the ‘birth’ of humankind as given in the subtitle. A lot of material is given as a context for human behavour today, ie foraging for 2 million years still affects how our brain works, and how we are currently destroying the environment/ecosystem.
Before purchasing I had wondered how much it overlapped with the cartoon history of [world, universe, modern world] series which has essetially the same comic book production. As it turns out, they do not overlap very much. So ‘buyer beware’. I will not be buying vol 2.
by Mr. Tp Carter
Yuval ability to make the complex clear is amazing I enjoyed the book very much thank you
by MJ
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari (the 500-page paperback first published in 2011) is a brilliant book. Anyone who likes to consider themselves well-educated should read it. This version is an attempt to turn the first third or so of the original book into a comic. I would say it is aimed at readers in their teens, who may lack the focus for 500 pages of text. If you are capable of focusing on text, then rather read the original, which is more detailed.
I found the claim that this is a “full colour illustrated adaption” of Sapiens confusing. This is not Sapiens plus colour illustrations. Rather, it is a comic-book version.
Some reviews complain that the comic illustrations are “woke”. The important thing is that, at least in volume one, Harari’s core insights have not been censored. I look forward to reading volume two when it becomes available.
by GBchapinBp
Absolutely essential reading for just about everyone. Most especially world leaders.