Sunday Pick: Yuval Noah Harari on what history teaches us about justice and peace

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.

In this book, Jonathan Kennedy explores the profound impact of infectious diseases on human history. He argues that pandemics have played a crucial but often overlooked role in many of the great social, political, and economic transformations of the past. This includes the extinction of Neanderthals, the emergence of Christianity and Islam, the transition from feudalism to capitalism, European colonialism, and the evolution of the United States. Kennedy draws on evidence from genetics, anthropology, archaeology, and economics to challenge fundamental assumptions about human history and highlights the critical importance of microbes in shaping human society and culture.

In this book, Yuval Noah Harari continues the narrative of human history, focusing on the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to village farmers, the establishment of kingdoms and laws, and the development of civilization. The book is accompanied by maps, a timeline, and full-color illustrations, making the story engaging and accessible. It delves into how humans cultivated land, shared resources, built pyramids, and paid taxes, highlighting the key inventions and historical milestones that shaped human society.