Short Summary of “Sapiens,” “Homo Deus,” and “21 lessons for the 21st century.”

Sanyam Jain
6 min readJan 28, 2023

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a book written by Yuval Noah Harari and published in 2011. The book provides a comprehensive history of humanity, from the emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa to the present day. Harari argues that the key to understanding human history is to understand the cognitive and social revolutions that have shaped our species over time.

The book begins with a discussion of the cognitive revolution, which occurred around 70,000 years ago and saw the emergence of modern human cognition. Harari argues that this revolution allowed our ancestors to develop language, abstract thinking, and a shared sense of reality, which in turn allowed them to create complex societies.

The second major revolution discussed in the book is the agricultural revolution, which occurred around 12,000 years ago and saw the rise of settled agriculture and the formation of the first civilizations. Harari argues that this revolution led to the development of social hierarchies, the emergence of states and religions, and the rise of empires.

The final revolution discussed in the book is the scientific revolution, which began in the 16th century and has led to the modern world we know today. Harari argues that this revolution has led to the creation of a globalized world, the rise of secularism, and the decline of traditional religions and ways of life.

Throughout the book, Harari draws on a wide range of evidence and interdisciplinary sources, including anthropology, archaeology, history, and evolutionary psychology. He also provides a refreshingly critical and nuanced perspective on human history, challenging many popular assumptions and preconceptions.

Sapiens has been widely acclaimed for its breadth of knowledge and the clarity of its writing. It has been translated into more than 50 languages and has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. It has been praised for its ability to make complex ideas accessible to a wide audience and for its ability to challenge readers to think differently about the world and their place in it.

Overall, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history of humanity and the forces that have shaped our world. Harari’s accessible writing style, combined with his interdisciplinary approach, makes the book a fascinating and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a new perspective on the past, present, and future of our species.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow is a book written by Yuval Noah Harari and published in 2015, as a follow-up to his previous book Sapiens. The book continues the story of humanity from where Sapiens left off, and explores the future of our species in the 21st century. Harari argues that humanity is on the brink of a new stage in its evolution, and that our future may be very different from our past.

The book begins by discussing the challenges that humanity is currently facing, including climate change, overpopulation, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Harari argues that these challenges may lead to the extinction of our species, or to the emergence of a new kind of human being. He believes that humans will become like gods, with the power to control nature, extend life, and even create new forms of life.

The second part of the book focuses on the implications of this future for humanity. Harari argues that the rise of Homo Deus will lead to a new kind of society, one in which the traditional sources of power and authority, such as religion, politics, and money, will become obsolete. He also predicts that the gap between the rich and the poor will continue to grow, and that the new elite will be those who have access to new forms of technology and knowledge.

Harari also addresses the ethical and moral implications of these developments, and warns of the dangers of creating new forms of life without considering the consequences. He argues that humanity needs to rethink its values and priorities in order to ensure that the future of our species is a positive one.

Homo Deus has been widely praised for its thought-provoking ideas and its ability to make complex concepts accessible to a wide audience. Like Sapiens, it has been translated into more than 50 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. Critics have praised the book for its bold and imaginative vision of the future, as well as for its ability to challenge readers to think differently about the world and their place in it.

Overall, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the future of humanity and the forces that will shape our world. Harari’s writing is accessible and thought-provoking, making the book a fascinating and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a new perspective on the future of our species.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a book written by Yuval Noah Harari and published in 2018. The book is a collection of essays that explore some of the most pressing issues facing humanity in the 21st century, including technology, politics, and the future of our species. Harari argues that in order to navigate the challenges of the 21st century, we need to rethink our understanding of the world and our place in it.

The book is divided into four sections: the Technological Challenge, the Political Challenge, the National Challenge, and the Spiritual Challenge. In the first section, Harari explores the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, and argues that they will have a profound impact on our lives and our society. He also discusses the implications of these technologies for our economy, our politics, and our sense of self.

In the second section, Harari explores the political challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. He argues that the traditional sources of power and authority, such as nation-states and religions, are becoming obsolete, and that we need to rethink our understanding of politics and power in the 21st century. He also discusses the implications of these changes for democracy, nationalism and the future of the world order.

In the third section, Harari explores the national challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, such as the rise of right-wing populism, the refugee crisis, and the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. He argues that these challenges are rooted in deeper changes in our society and that we need to rethink our understanding of the nation-state, and how we can address these issues.

In the final section, Harari explores the spiritual challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, such as the loss of traditional meaning, the rise of secularism, and the increasing sense of loneliness and isolation. He argues that we need to rethink our understanding of spirituality and religion, and how they can help us cope with the challenges of the 21st century.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century has been widely praised for its thought-provoking ideas and its ability to make complex concepts accessible to a wide audience. Critics have praised the book for its ability to connect various disciplines and for its ability to challenge readers to think differently about the world and their place in it.

Overall, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, and the forces that will shape our future. Harari’s writing is accessible and thought-provoking, making the book a fascinating and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a new perspective on the world and your place in it.

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Sanyam Jain

I am masters student in Norway. Trying to spread my intellect with the community here :)