Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 3

November 17, 2014
Writing with wit and verve, Harari, professor of history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, attempts to explain how Homo sapiens came to be the dominant species on Earth as well as the sole representative of the human genus. He notes that from roughly two million years ago until about 10,000 years ago, we were not the only humans on the planet; many species preceded us, and some overlapped our tenure. Harari argues persuasively that three revolutions explain our current situation. The first, the cognitive revolution, occurred approximately 70,000 years ago and gave us “fictive” language, enabling humans to share social constructs as well as a powerful “imagined reality” that led to complex social systems. The second, the agricultural revolution, occurred around 12,000 years ago and allowed us to settle into permanent communities. The third, the scientific revolution, began around 500 years ago and allowed us to better understand and control our world. Throughout, Harari questions whether human progress has led to increased human happiness, concluding that it’s nearly impossible to show that it has. Harari is provocative and entertaining but his expansive scope only allows him to skim the surface.

Starred review from September 20, 2024

What drives human history? Chance, conflict, cyclical patterns, empire building, money, religion--or something else? In this graphic-novel adaptation of Harari's seminal book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (this is the third volume of the graphic history), these factors, depicted as contestants, battle it out in a game show. Each factor claims to be "Master of History" and makes their case before a panel of experts: a theologian, anthropologist, biologist, and historian. Glimpses into the past, excerpts from imaginary comic books, "commercial breaks," and a rowdy studio audience make the presentation lively, while imperious diva-glamorous host Heroda Tush (likely an allusion to Greek historian Herodotus) keeps audiences engaged with the challenge. Which contestant will win? Harari, Vandermeulen, and Casanave provide a fresh and entertaining way of engaging with history, which can be appreciated by readers of the previous volumes as well as by those new to the Sapiens books. Casanave's cartoonish, semi-realistic color art suffuses our forebears with modern yet universal incentives to live comfortably, raise families, trust their governments, and understand their world. VERDICT Experts in various disciplines may disagree with some of these interpretations of history, but the point is to engage readers and inspire curiosity rather than dictate details. Highly recommended for high schoolers, college age, and older, including for classrooms.--Martha Cornog

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