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Sapiens: a book club reading guide

A useful discussion guide for book clubs and reading groups talking about Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens.

sapiens guide

QUESTIONS

Of all the human developments described in Sapiens, which one do you think was the most significant in the course of our history?

By what measures is homo sapiens the dominant species on planet earth?

Which was the most surprising fact or assertion that you came across while reading the book? Did you disagree with any of Harari’s arguments or interpretations?

Do you think that the major world religions are comparable to ‘shared mythologies’ such as nations, corporations and currency? When does a mythology become a reality?

Humankind has only been present for a minute fraction of planet earth’s existence – do you think that our civilization will retain its current position in centuries to come?

How can reading about history help us in the present day and the future?

FURTHER READING

Homo Deus – Yuval Noah Harari
The Black Swan – Nassim Taleb
A Brief History of Time – Stephen Hawking
The God Delusion – Richard Dawkins
Guns, Germs and Steel – Jared Diamond
Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell
A Short History of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson
Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman

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