Tag: Civilization

Book Review – Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

by Yuval Noah Harari

This book is incredibly interesting and brings up a lot of new information and stresses new and up-to-date theories such as an insistence on the co-existence of several “different types” of humans—including yet another explanation of why Homo sapiens and the Neanderthals must have co-existed.
Also detailed here are a few possible reasons the Neanderthals did not make it but Sapiens did.

This is a big book, full of theories, illustrations, great examples, and of course a lot of information about the origins, descriptors, capacities, abilities, and developmental stages of Homo sapiens. The
book is divided into four main sections all relating directly to Homo sapiens: The Cognitive Revolution; The Agricultural Revolution; The Unification of Mankind, and The Scientific Revolution.

As in most my book reviews, I do not give away too much content because the readers should experience that for themselves. In the case of this particular book, I will talk about the interesting and
entertaining way in which the book is written.

Professor Harari writes in a very readable fashion and uses many clever phrases in addition to humor. For example, he states, “That evolution should select for larger brains may seem to us, like, well, a no-brainer” (p. 9). He explains domestication of animals and the use of certain animals for food: “With each passing generation, the sheep became fatter, more submissive and less curious. Voila! Mary had a little lamb and everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go” (p. 92).

Harari writes with such an enjoyable style, such as in this sentence: “Most likely, both the gossip theory and the there-is-a lion-near-the-river theory are valid” (p. 24). Harari seems to really enjoy the writing of the book, and it comes through very clearly to the reader. Another interesting sentence is this one: “Presumably, everyone reading this book is a Homo sapiens – the species sapiens (wise) of the genus Homo (man)” (p. 4).

I recommend the book to teachers of science and of archeology, social studies, and history. There is technical information here great for the classroom, cultural information wonderful for the salon, and
pensive passages for those times we are alone with our thoughts and we want to reflect on what is written in the clever book we are reading. There is also ample info here for experts in prehistory and for fans of early humankind alike.

I enjoyed reading the book very much and cannot emphasize enough how clever the writing is and how clear the passages are. Harari has done a wonderful job here of explaining very technical information in everyday language so that non-specialists can participate in pondering and discussing
some of the most interesting stages, questions, and stories of sapiens.

Book Review – Mankind: The Story of All of Us

Mankind: The Story of All of Us

by Pamela Toler

Teachers are going to really enjoy this approach to story-telling that focuses more on themes than on the old fashioned linear method of discussing history. Themes and topics such as the use of tools,
differences in diet, domestication of certain animals and what that has meant for mankind, and the use of weapons, jewelry, boats, and architecture through history will astound and captivate the more technically oriented readers looking into this glossy, beautiful book.

More general readers, perhaps fans of the story of Homo sapiens up to current times will also love this book and will wonder what is next in mankind’s journey. This book tells us of great adventures in the past and gives us hints of what is in store, given our talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Pamela Toler has assembled here some incredibly cool ways to talk about the history of mankind and does something very new and unique: using modern drawings and actors to portray the stages of mankind over time. This makes for very interesting and lively illustrations.

Toler also uses a great deal of scenarios—created to advance theories of how wheat was first sown, how people reacted to the “Sea People” invading around the Mediterranean and bringing their women and children with them, and ways people thought and acted. The rationale for different actions over time are interesting to consider, and she uses them throughout the book to make the major and minor events alike more understandable.

As long as readers understand that is her method, they will be alright as they watch mankind progress through the themes, wars, discoveries, changes in regime, and differences in lifestyles over time. The use of the themes and topics, again, is very interesting. Chapter Five, for example, is
called “Plagues.” The book tells us where the words “algebra” and “algorithm” come from also, in addition to many other facts important to showing the contributions of many cultures to world knowledge

A third thing Toler does is uses clever phrases and humor in the book. This will make the book even more entertaining for those readers who want a little more “fun” in their dealing with the story of us.

For example, when discussing the supposed complete disappearance of Neanderthals from the earth, she reminds us that recent research has shown that the Neanderthal genome makes up between 1 and 4 percent of the DNA of humans who are not from Australia or sub-Saharan Africa. She states comically, “Evidently the rumors of Neanderthal man’s extinction are exaggerated. He lives on in us” (p. 16).

Without giving too much content away, I will say this book is a “must-read” for educators and all other readers who need a new and refreshing way to look at the history of us. It is a shiny, interesting, innovative, and thrilling book indeed. I am so lucky I was able to receive a copy to review!

The book could also be a clever tool to get some students interested in the story of us and to watch as they consider the photos, drawings, and scenarios presented in this lively and colorful presentation of
history. Many short sidebars and other bits of information fill the book, much as in many current high school books and undergraduate textbooks. I would champion the use of this book to see if teachers can “hook” some students into the realms of history, science, and discovery.

The design of the book is shared by the History Channel. It is also available via download to own, in Blu-Ray, DVD, eBook, and graphic novels. These other formats may be just what the teacher ordered for some students to be able to handle—and to reach them using technology they prefer.

As an educator, I can see many great uses for this book. It could also stimulate some wonderful discussions among teachers of science, technology, history, social studies, culture, mathematics, art, design, religion, and language.

As with many such books, interdisciplinary units can be crafted rather easily by creative teachers who will see many possible connections. Helping students become constructivists themselves and see connections is yet another possible use for the book as both a reference source and reading for getting good in-depth conversations going among secondary school students.

As with each and every book teachers use with students in K-12 settings, a thorough reading is important before students are encouraged to read the book. Some adult topics arise in the book and
should be considered, of course.