A Brief History books in order

Q: "How many books are in the A Brief History series?"

"There are two books in the A Brief History series, published between 2011 and 2017."

Q: "What is the first book in the A Brief History series?"

"The first book in the A Brief History series is Sapiens, published in 2011."

Q: "Should I read Sapiens before Homo Deus?"

"Yes. Sapiens covers the history of humankind from early hunter-gatherers to the modern era, while Homo Deus picks up where Sapiens leaves off and looks at possible futures. Reading them in order gives the full picture."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Sapiens	2011	Yuval Noah Harari	Buy
2	Homo Deus	2017	Yuval Noah Harari	Buy

The A Brief History series consists of two books that together tell the story of humanity from its earliest beginnings to its potential future. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, published in 2011, looks at how Homo sapiens came to dominate the planet, covering the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions. Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, released in 2017, turns the lens forward and explores what might happen as technology gives humans god-like powers.

Both books draw on research from biology, history, and economics. Harari writes for a general audience and avoids heavy academic jargon, which helped Sapiens become a global bestseller translated into dozens of languages. Together, the two books offer a broad view of the human story from prehistoric Africa to the age of artificial intelligence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the A Brief History series?

There are two books in the A Brief History series, published between 2011 and 2017.

What is the first book in the A Brief History series?

The first book in the A Brief History series is Sapiens, published in 2011.

Should I read Sapiens before Homo Deus?

Yes. Sapiens covers the history of humankind from early hunter-gatherers to the modern era, while Homo Deus picks up where Sapiens leaves off and looks at possible futures. Reading them in order gives the full picture.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order