Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind explores the trajectory of Homo sapiens from our emergence as a relatively insignificant species to our current dominance. 

The book traces pivotal events, such as the Cognitive, Agricultural, and scientific Revolutions, which reshaped human societies and our relationship with the environment.

Harari examines the rise of imagined realities, like money, religion, and nations, and their power to unite large groups. The book also discusses the ecological impact of sapiens, including mass extinctions and the transition from foraging to agriculture. 

The book explores the complex interplay between biology, culture, and history, questioning whether progress improves human well-being. Ultimately, Sapiens investigates humanity's potential future in light of our increasing technological capabilities and our capacity to engineer our own evolution.