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

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A hardcover edition of the first volume 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, this compelling work of human history 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 nonfiction graphic novel adaptation of the mind-expanding book furthers the ongoing conversation as it introduces Harari’s ideas to a wide new readership.

This graphic adaptation brings the epic history of humankind to life, exploring:

• The Dawn of Humankind: Explore a time when at least six different species of humans inhabited the Earth, and investigate the mystery of why only one―homo sapiens―survived.
• The Rise of Empires: Chart the ascent of human civilization, viewing specific historical events within the context of larger, world-changing ideas and connecting past developments with contemporary concerns.
• Stunning Visual Storytelling: Experience Harari’s groundbreaking narrative through gorgeous, full-color illustrations that make complex concepts in anthropology easy to comprehend for readers of all ages.
• Big Questions, Big Ideas: Challenge accepted beliefs about our past and future by examining the ways in which biology and history have defined what it means to be “human.”

Yuval Noah Harari, bestselling historian and philosopher, is considered one of the world’s most influential intellectuals today. His popular books―including Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, and the series Sapiens: A Graphic History and Unstoppable Us―have sold more than fifty million copies in sixty-five languages. Harari, with his husband, Itzik Yahav, cofounded Sapienship, a social impact company with projects in the fields of education and storytelling, whose main goal is to tell and retell our shared human story. Harari has a PhD in history from the University of Oxford. He has been a lecturer at the Department of History in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Distinguished Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.