Sapiens, the book, is a fictional account of world history as seen through the lens of fictional accounts.
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So you’re not a fan? Which other history book would you recommend in its place?
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This is worth reading as a criticism: newenglishreview.org/C_R_Hallpike/A (there are plenty more where this comes from — Harari plays fast and loose with his facts).
I haven't yet read a history of the world that's good — in the sense of being able to survive rigorous criticism.
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This isn't an indictment of 'broad stroke history books' mind. It's just that most of my reading hasn't been very successful in this area. Guns, Germs and Steel also contain huge flaws. Maybe the only one that's stood up to scrutiny is Better Angels of Our Nature?
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I’m currently reading a bunch of these books, which is why I was interested. I guess I can buy some of the critique. Although don’t we have to expect some of these books to be at best guesses of the past? When you’re going so far into the past, firmer Science can also be weak.
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If anything, the success of books like Sapiens and Guns, Germs and Steel is in their narrative - they are highly readable.