Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind - Book Club #4
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ธ.ค. 2016
- I review Sapiens: A brief history of humankind by Yuval Noah Harari and it's absolutely brilliant. A real must-read. (it was also recommended by John Green so it must be good!)
Get it here: geni.us/sapiensharari
Sorry this episode is so late, I'll be more prompt in future I promise. Next we'll be reading the Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Met.... I would love to hear your thoughts on the book so get yourself a copy and join in the discussion in the next video (some time in January)!
Book club group: / simonoxfphys-book-club
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I am Simon, a fourth year PhD candidate at the University of Exeter. I upload videos on bits of science which are relevant to what I do, and sometimes just because they're really cool.
Vlogs from Oxford students - / oxvlog
My twitter - / simonoxfphys
My facebook - / youtubesimon
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My goodreads - / simonoxfphys
Thanks to Vlogbrothers for their sponsorship of this video. Money from the Foundation to Decrease Worldsuck contributed to equipment used in this video.
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This book literally changed my perspective of everything I knew and believe in, in a few weeks' time.
Same
See my problem is I would love to read these types of books...but my parents are extremely religious. I once had to sneak a book by Neil Tyson.... currently reading a book my atheist friend let me borrow by Richard Dawkins...parents found out and nearly threw me out of the house. So excited to get into college to do the things I want..
Download free audio books from TH-cam etc.
@@Weedug ahahah thats what im doing right now
Buy an e reader and put a pin code on it.
Aj Delco same im a closeted ex muslim
Get sneaky about the types of books you choose. Choose ones that look acceptable but which make points that would contradict their own, but which would go over their heads or be too boring for them to follow along.
These are my personal's top 5 recommendations:
- Cosmos by Carl Sagan
- The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
- The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins
- Sapiens by Yuval Harari
- The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan
All great suggestions, thank you for mentioning this
Pale blue dot carl Sagan
About The fabric of the cosmos, is it a pop science book? Like would i get most of it even if i didn't know a lot about the subject? Ty
@@souhailsouhail8605 Yes, it's a pop science book. Brian Greene's an excellent communicator and explains everything from scratch, so prior knowledge it's not necessary in my opinion, but since it's a quite deep read I recommend you to read it at home!
Plus Harrari’s other two books😂
I just finished it on Audible. It's cool .I'm dyslexic and dont enjoy reading .so it was good to have it read out to me .
Doesn't matter friend that you are dyslexic .I pray to Jesus that you will get well soon and will prove yourself repeatedly
how did ya type this comment mate?
@@devangsingh1866 Being dyslexic doesn't always mean that you totally cannot read or write.
On many cases it means that it's very hard and unenjoyable to read or write.
@@strawandherb2452 oh okay, thanks alot for clarifying 😊
@@dhruvkothari4981 I am not sure what do you mean by "get well soon"?? I don't think he is ill or something. Dyslexia is something how the brain is designed, which is still not something we sapien have full control of.
Sapiens, YES! Still struggling to finish it because of exams but it is going soooo good.
I am just here to boost up my motivation to read this book :3
I recommend the audiobook version on audible if you're a slow reader like me
Do it man! Once you start reading the first chapter you'll be captivated. I got excited reading through the table of contents and seeing what I will have learned by the end of the book!
sapiens in english audiobook th-cam.com/video/y4b_EO9HTGY/w-d-xo.html
Same
I started this book like 2 hours ago and I'm already having inner monologues with myself. It's crazy good.
You encourage me to push myself so much in life; and thank you sir for doing that. People gain motivation from ppl that achieved huge goals, but they tend to forget about the small ppl. Ppl like you that show students how to do things that can help them achieve their dreams. Like organize your schedule, how to study, etc. You sir show ppl how to do things that is not taught a lot, and I thank you for that. Just thank you a lot.
It is one of those books you love to talk about. It is so packed with knowledge. I read Sapiens and Homo Deus last year and loved both of them.
Found this channel around a month ago and i love it! Great work Simon & thanks for a great recommending this book! I never read (like seriously never) but got this book this morning and only 2 chapters in I can already tell that it's perfect for me! Thanks again!
Just gotta say Simon your passionate enthusiastic video literally made my day. Brought me up from feeling down. I dont think TH-camrs get enough praise in terms of how much difference they can make to one life and having watched your videos since you were in Oxford, you feel like an old friend! Metamorphosis is a great choice and I've read it. Enjoy it! And Thank You :)
This book Club is such a good idea. Im going to join in from now on, and im definitely going to read this book.
Yay! I look forward to seeing you in the discussion next time :)
watching this video is so thrilling for me. I've listened to this book in audio form, loved it. And listening to you talking about it is like going through the book all over again! So relatable!
*orders on Amazon immediately*
This was me lol, just hope it doesnt get in the way of studying for exams cause im a very slow reader.
@@Diego-gc4lo lol you should say exams shouldn't get in the way of reading.
Diego me too very slow reader
Support your local bookstore! :)
I listened to the audiobook first due to my work schedule. I was so blown away I just wanted to have the physical copy as something I own. I've since read it two more times. Incredible piece of work
I have to buy this book now.
I'm doing my English GCSE and you're inspiring me to read more with this series - thanks a million!
I had had this book sitting on my shelf for over a year. Thank you for inspiring mr to finally pick it up and read it.
I'm so glad you chose a Kaftka book! I read this last year and loved it (strange but good), can't wait to join the discussion in three weeks
I managed to get the PDF version of this but I got hooked on it so badly that I need to get the paperback version. It's so fantastically written and it needs to sit on everyone's bookshelf!
Also, I went to Exeter too - I just discovered your channel and it really makes me miss that place and everything it entails! Keep up the good work! :)
Yes! Been loving this book and am excited to finish it this winter
This review was enthralling. Thank you for the great recommendation. Definitely brought me on board the book club.
Thank you for such an authentic emotionally invested briefing , now I decided to buy for sure!
Bought this book in October and I'm all the more excited to pick it up. Thank you for this review!
You're so good Simon! I feel I'm jobless even before I started coz you're doing what I thought I would. Love it.
Thank you thank you thank you for mentioning Guns, Germs, and Steel in this discussion. The reading these two books consecutively breathes some brilliant insights.
Great! I was searching for a book to read under the christmas tree when your video came up. This book will be perfect!
Fantastic book, my favourite with epiphanies left, right and centre! Just his take on belief and universal creation of non-existing realities blew me away and has changed how I view things. Like you say Simon, gives one a great perspective. Great vid btw :)
Absolutely loved this book. Prof Harari is an absolute genius. Love his work. He's such a humble and compassionate human being. And that does reflect in his work.
“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” Wow, what a blast from the past. I read that book a looong time ago (late 70s, yes, I really am that old). I remember being completely unprepared for and completely blown away by the ending. My take-away was that there are limits to the role of rationality in human existence, and when those limits are exceeded, you can drive the people around you crazy. I just wish I could remember more about Phaedra.
This was my summer reading assignment before my 9th grade year in high school. I didn't fully appreciate it on the first read, but when I read it again a few months later it became one of my favorites.
havent picked it up yet but i know im going to be blown away,and that i won't be able to stop thinking about it,this type of stuff is so interesting to me
It is sitting on my shelf for four months now. Gonna pick it soon! Great review!
Great summary. Loved your opening analogy.
This is my favorite book of all time.
I read the metamorphosis by Kafka already multiple times and it's amazing! When I was in Prague, I was the only one who got excited when we passed his birth house. Anyways, I can't wait for the next book club video!
One of the best books i have read, period. it opens up our minds to what humans can do intellectually, what we have done so far or have been doing throughout our short history on this planet and at the same time how insignificant we and our problems are when you compare yourself to the bigger picture of the cosmos. It actually awakened me from the deep sleep that me along with 99.99 % of the people in the earth are still in and threw open a new perspective of looking at life in general and human creations in particular. A very good read, i will recommend you to read it seriously without any bias and try to open up your mind, 90% of your problems in life (most of which are self created) will just disappear when you look at the bigger perspective in life.
Very apt “peak of the mountain” analogy! I felt the same way reading it.
I read this book last year and still one of the best books I’ve ever bought
I've had this book for like 3 months but still haven't gotten round to reading it, I definitely will after this!
This book was very interesting but I also feel that by the end of the book he started delivering the book from a more of a philosophical perspective over a historical one. I also believe that as readers we should be wary on basing our historical perspective on one single book. Even though this book is well written and fairly objective, each writer writes from a point of bias whether consciously or subconsciously. I also found a few historical inaccuracies which was a little disheartening. Still thought it was a good and interesting read, but just made me more aware of perspectives when it comes to reading non fiction
What inaccuracies you found?
@@deenarahman2282 Many! and also it is so obvious the author is a convinced Buddhist+veganist! so obvious. and he writes standing on that self-assumed biass. Also several historical process are simplified to a level that take off accuracy.
Sanija Dhakal please give specific examples of the inaccuracies.
Good point! I agree there are historical innacuracies and the worst we can do is to have all our historical belief on one book.
@@josecollado7960 Harari's is just one point of view and a biased one (as we all are some some degree) on human history. there are plenty of other points of view and plenty of other critical TH-cam videos and authors, check them out!
Hi! I'm new here and watched this video before ordering my copy of Sapiens. However, your choosing of Metamorphosis for the next book read is so exciting for me. It has been my favorite novella since high school and a personally enlightening experience. In my opinion, it is the greatest metaphorical text. I can't wait to hear your take on it.
the discussion about the living quality of animals in this book was what got me thinking about vegetarianism, and a couple of weeks ago i decided to be vegetarian. Even though he doesn't induce you to join the veggie club in the book, I just couldn't continue eating meat after everything I read. I'm pretty happy with this decision and it's one of the thinks I have to thank this book for
Vegetarianism is a good step in a less violent direction, but not if one replaces all of the meat with eggs and dairy. Those industries are subsets of the meat industry (all of the exploited hens and cows get sold for meat, leather, etc in the end) sobi would encourage you, if you haven't in the last 5 years, to further educate yourself by watching Dominion or Earthlings, both films available free here on TH-cam I believe. You'll likely feel much better after aligning your values with your actions.
@@HollenbergR I am happy to inform you that I went vegan a year ago and it was one of the best decision I have ever made in my life.
@@otaviocf8863 That's amazing, and then you! Both for updating me (this is the first time I've ever seen a reply to me on a yt comment) but most of all on behalf of the earth and all the non-humans you'll be saving by decreasing the demand for their oppression. Such great news! 💛
Bought this today after watching the video and totally agree with you so far, absolutely amazing book! Thanks so much for recommending :)
Currently listening to the audio book. It's incredible !.
Looking forward to the next Book Club video - I could talk (and listen) about Kafka for hours :)
This books opened up my mind and inspired thought it a way very few books ever had. I think it’s probably my favorite of all time? Such a difficult distinction to make but yeah I think this book would have to be my favorite.
I absolutely loved sapiens. I've recommended it to loads of people. It really gives you perspective on human history and humanity in general. I'm so looking forward to reading Hararis new book 'Homo Deus' where I think he continues his theories on where humanity is heading.
I am yet to read Sapiens but I've almost finished reading his follow up book 'Homo Deus' about the future of humankind and would definitely recommend it! Some of it is incredibly eye opening and mind boggling.
A great book I would recommend is 'Reality is not what it seems. The journey to quantum gravity' by Carlo Rovelli. I love your videos by the way!
I've read it. Great book, my type of books. Big up to your channel from Swaziland, Africa.
I'm genuinely too excited about these bookclubs
I'm not gonna lie. I see a video by Simon and I click it straight away
Michael Hope Have a feeling that it is going to be top comment soon haha :) same here man.
***** #clickbait
Same haha
#noarguements
Just found your channels and I can’t wait to start following you and the book club
I read the book this summer and I completely agree. What I think was very interesting is how he sees political ideologies as kind of a religion, this is the first time I heard of that idea and it was really well thought.
I always see that particular book in Waterstones opposite the maths and science section. For the past year and a half I always walk past it and make a mental note- I'm going to buy it, but never do. now you convince me. thank you simon
The moment you said "really weird" I predicted it would be The Metamorphosis! One of my favourite pieces of short fiction. I really like what Vladimir Nabokov had to say about it: "Gregor is a human being in an insect's disguise; his family are insects disguised as people."
Agreed. It's a real page turner, but better than that, it makes you re-examine some of your most basic assumptions. Including those two other great books (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and Germs, Guns and Steel) in your comments indicates that you have a blog worth following.
I've really been procrastinating on reading this book. I'll definitely give it a shot now. Thanks!
Thanks for this, I will be Ising it in my U.S> High school Global issues class while we study technology (I just finished the book and wish I could give a copy to each graduate); I will tie your video into a story we look at called The Machine Stops by EM Forester from 1909 in which he basically predicts almost all of today's tech and some of the problems that go along with it; people live in pods underground and communicate through SCREENS and give each other TEN Min lectures (irony) and theses "groups" are the new communities. So much of it ties into Sapiens (as does your ten min lecture/book club), spot on!
Excellent review. Really gotta get that book :D
And I got the book.
Axel Abraxas Me too.
...and it was brilliant
how do you know it's an excellent review if you haven't read it?
Can't wait for Simon to reach 100k subs! Keep it up and don't stop studying!
Absolutely loving these book club videos! Sapiens just moved up to my "Must read this immediately" list :) I'm also really interested in hearing your opinions on The Metamorphosis; we read quite a lot of Kafka in school and I liked it a lot back then, but I'm curious to know what I'm gonna think when I re-read it now.
I have read this book and I agree, it's one of the best I have read too!
I bought this book months ago and it's just been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read ... this video was good incentive to finally pick it up :p
fast intro, entertaining review. Great video thanks for sharing!!!
The book written by kafka, i read it bcs of my high school graduation in czech republic, i mean kafka is quite famous here so i was wondering why not, and yep.. the story is pretty weird i'd say, but it is a type of book you want to read i mean, if you thinking about it, just read it, it's a good one!
I have just finished it. Great book! I would recommend it to literally everyone.
love this idea of book club. will read the next book 😃
I think the interesting thing about Kafka is how much more appreciated he is outside of Germany - the reason for that probably being that Kafka was so good at recreating the general atmosphere of living at the time of the German Empire that German people who are more familiar with the subject matter don't get a lot out of the book itself (except for a sense of Kafka's depression and family drama - that's the only thing I got out of it, anyways) since they already know how people lived and felt around that time.
Anyways, it's unarguably both a very well-written book and a very depressing read. I read it twice, once in my free time and again in 11th grade for school, and I can say for certain that I won't read it again unless I'm absolutely forced to.
Oh, and this was a very convincing video! I had Sapiens in my hands before and was unsure of whether to buy it, but I'll definitely pick it up now :)
It's probably the best non fiction I've ever read. You should also try his other book (A sort of sequel) Homo Deus : A brief history of tomorrow. Reading both books made me contemplate about why things exist the way they are and where are we heading with existing states of affair.
I have just realised I already have this book in my book collection (which is like a small library in my tiny room, and my family started using it as such). I can't wait to get to reading it, I have a number of books I need to read first though.
If you are looking for a small piece of fiction, Animal Farm is a good place to start.
I'm actually very excited to get this book and read it after your review. I can't say I'm pleased about the new book choice though lol
This is my reading for next month!. Thanks for the tip
i love this review please do more i have seen that you haven´t really posted more book review please do that
Excellent review!!! Thank you
So happy to hear you are a fan of Pirsig's work.
For anyone who enjoyed this book I highly suggest reading Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond.
It would make a great Christmas gift!
The Metamorphosis is a great book, look forward to it ! Cheers from Brazil
The metamorfosis is one of the best books i have ever read, it is amazing
I just finished the book in this islolation and I do agree with you it is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. I am an atheist so I second Harari's religious commentary. But as a meat eater I have to say his arguments are incontestable, they made me think why am I not changing my food habit. I dont know if I can but he definitely put the seed of change in me. Brilliant book. And a good review I must say. Stay safe, greetings from Mumbai.
Thanks Simon. Just bought it.
This book sounds really interesting. It's really hard for me to get into a book, but I think this one is definitely worth a go!
Oh Simon! your eyes are legendary. I can not keep myself from looking at them
Your review is amazing!
sounds really interesting.need to buy this book soon .
Sophie's world and Sapiens are my all time favorite books.
I've already got this book. It's awesome!
I read the metamorphosis and it was amaaaazing!! Recommend it!
Already waiting for Metamorphosis discussion ;)
Just got it, is very insightful and although very thoughtful,he made it easy and exciting to read.
Just picked it up hoping it will read similar to Bill Bryson short history of nearly everything. Love that book so much. I have high hopes and hearing this I will not be disappointed.
It was Peugeot he talked about and I agree the book is fantastic. Great review Simon.
Well that's persuaded me, I'm going to buy the book.
You've made me really want to read the book!
You should, it's fantastic!
Thank you for your review, I asked that book for Christmas !
I found this book on the street whiles I was heading home and I feel so lucky.
Hiya,
I just finished the book, and I really liked your enthusiasm in this video.
My main criticism is that it is rather depressing. That is not Harari's fault, but the unveiling of how random and horrible homo sapiens have been and the explanation of collective myths, though very interesting, disoriented and daunted me.
Concerning the vegetarian argument: I'm not a vegetarian, but since I read his argument I'm struggling with my conscious. Not only about eating meat, but also about consuming dairy and eggs, since that is about as bad of the animals as slaughter.
I really enjoyed your video and will make sure to check you out again soon.
I'm sorry but eating dairy products is in no way harmful to any animal. Modern cows get ill if their milk is not used. Eggs have to be consumed to maintain an ecological balance. Humans hunted and killed so many natural predators that if we stop completely eating animals products, we may destroy the current ecosystem.
It's some of the greatest books I've read so far.