Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: Sapiens A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization

Reviewed in Australia on 25 June 2022

This book is a history that is worth reading, I guess, but it's all in comic book format - which I find cumbersome to read. I didn't understand what "graphic" meant - now I know and will avoid such books in future.

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kevin tyndall

A continuation of volume one,more on the history of SAPIENS us modern man.

Reviewed in Australia on 26 January 2022

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Easy to read great art work.May these volumes create an interest in the study of history.

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Panevis

The font could be more clear.

Reviewed in Australia on 14 March 2022

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The font could be more clear.

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Emma

Disappointing.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 December 2021

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I really enjoyed the first book (on human evolution) in the original format and then later reread it in this graphic style. That said, even in the original, from the beginning I was slightly uncomfortable at the confidence of some of the statements made and I had a niggling desire for concrete references. I got a lot from it anyway and was content to treat the information as interesting but not set in stone. There was a clear narrative based around science even though it often felt like an "angle" rather than a neutral representation.

This second volume (the pillars of civilization) feels much more rambling and seems mostly cobbled together from a list of pet social theories/ agendas of the author. It's strongly opinionated, which I guess is OK in principle, but this is presumably intended to be a factual book aimed at young people(?) without the necessary caveats. In fact I'm not sure who it's aimed at since its a bit patronizing for adults but wouldn't interest teenagers. I was hoping for perhaps a brief summary of some themes of human history and an outline of some cultures. References to, for example, Sumer are mostly just humorous and glimpsed through illustrations. It feels like a missed opportunity to explain some great stuff. A reference system to some primary evidence at least would be appreciated (just one example: In the authors view that the agricultural revolution made people miserable, much seems to hinge on the idea that hunter gatherers practised family planning, whereas early farmers did not. It all feels very speculative.)

3 people found this helpful

Barrie

Buy the original book not this!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 October 2021

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I enjoyed the original book Sapiens.
This book seems to be aimed at 12 to 14 year olds.
It carries little information and the modest pictures add nothing to the text.
Filled with doom.
Not for me, returned within the day.

7 people found this helpful

Fidere

4 1/2 stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 March 2022

Verified Purchase

I would like to start off by saying I am a huge fan. I have purchased three of the main books and two of the illustrated books. So if memory serves me right I have read all the books. And it has been a great pleasure .

Regarding this book, I appreciate the efforts taken to deal with hierarchies, Slavery, racism and discrimination. However I feel the arguments proposed regarding slavery and how they bolstered hierarchies are some what halfbaked.

In a nutshell the three arguments are. Europeans established the transatlantic slave trade because Arabs and Africans were participating in the slavery already. Since they were participating in the slavery already it was (Convenient) not the word he used, to follow suit for economic prosperity.
The second argument which bolsters the first argument is that, European explorers, so-called explorers had already established safe navigable routes. So It follows that the path was laid out as it was closer to transport African slaves from the coast of Africa to New lands in Brazil and the Americas.
The last argument states that, Africans had proven immune to tropical diseases, So (conveniently) not the word used, would prove to be the suitable tools for their new Prosperous nations.

Now I don’t know whether this was a objective fact or subjective opinion, or some what in the middle as the previous chapter myths of men introduced a new keyword - intersubjective reality. If so, In conclusion why we have slavery and racism is because of fiction – stories that white Europeans created. I feel this is below satisfactory to say the very least as an argument.

SB

My favourite authors book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 March 2022

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Yuval is an amazing author and this century's influential public thinker. I love his writing and read all his books. One argument in this book is that "stories are just tools we create to help people…if they do more harm than good, we can and should change them". This sentence sums up all.

Geshem Mutsatsa

Excellent resource

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2022

Verified Purchase

This is a very nice addition to any child’s library. It’s also an enjoyable read for adults. It makes complex historical events and developments easy to understand. The illustrations are superb.

One person found this helpful

Anna B.

Cartoon book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2022

Verified Purchase

I’m sure the book would work for youngsters but I was shocked to find it was a cartoon book. Bought for a friends birthday I had to return it

Maddy

Great book but don’t order from Amazon

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2022

Verified Purchase

Fab book, but yet another “new” book from Amazon that is clearly second hand!! Not great when it’s gift!

5 star		83%
4 star		8%
3 star		2%
2 star		1%
1 star		5%

Sapiens A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization

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