From a renowned historian comes a  groundbreaking narrative of humanity's creation and evolution - a number  one international best seller - that explores the ways in which biology  and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it  means to be "human".

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one - Homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

Most  books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a  biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this  highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago, with the  appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans  have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives,  connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine  specific events within the context of larger ideas.

Dr. Harari  also compels us to look ahead, because, over the last few decades,  humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed  life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to  design not only the world around us but also ourselves. Where is this  leading us, and what do we want to become?

This provocative and  insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential for aficionados  of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon  Moalem.