Back on 27th January 2020, a few weeks before the world came to a standstill, my book club in college called The Book Bay hosted a book exchange where I came across a book which would then go on to be my quarantine buddy.
So what is the book about?
The book is pretty much the key to a historical treasure you never knew existed. It covers history via 3 major events namely - the Cognitive Revolution (70,000 years ago), the Agricultural Revolution (10,000 years ago), and the Scientific Revolution (about 500 years ago). From the start itself, you will be presented with valid arguments that will make you question your beliefs - the author argues how there are no nations, no money and no human rights, no corporations except in our collective imagination, and how there is no justice in history.
Borrowing from tales from the Babylonian era to the fables of imperialism, and how the scent of money dictated everything, it will make you introspect and challenge your ways of thinking. Sapiens focuses on many empires and countries, how they changed and adapted throughout history, and what the future might hold for them. It also deciphers how the world map has changed over the generations thanks to different interpretations by different people. Be it the Aztec and Inca empires at the time of Spanish conquest or the British Raj in India, the author explains all the aspects with ease and will have you looking shocked every 5 minutes on your couch.
Why should you read it?
There are many shocking discoveries you’ll come across when you read this book - like how wheat farming is history’s biggest fraud and how we did not domesticate wheat, but it domesticated us! (Yikes if you have a gluten allergy). The agricultural fraud was the first time humans experienced uncertainty in life as the shift from hunter-gatherers to farmers was a tough one (Yes, it's true, you can now blame your ancestors for your crippling anxiety).
The book acts as a total myth buster as you uncover how advertising and media deceive us humans (and our pockets of course) and about how some cults became a worldwide phenomenon while others remained restricted to a few closed doors. If you ever thought that your life would be perfect as a hunter owning a grass hut, think again; there are chances you might not even be able to celebrate your 5th birthday!
Fun fact- The marriage of science and empire is what separated us from our fellow Neanderthals and that's the primary reason you are able to read this post!
It’s a perfect read if you want to know how the world came to be but don’t know where to start.
Stay safe! Until next time :)