Artemis vs. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Artemis
Jasmine Bashara never signed up to be a hero. She just wanted to get rich. Not crazy, eccentric-billionaire rich, like many of the visitors to her hometown of Artemis, humanity’s first and only lunar colony. Just rich enough to move out of her coffin-sized apartment and eat something better than flavored algae. Rich enough to pay off a debt she’s owed for a long time. So when a chance at a huge score finally comes her way, Jazz can’t say no. Sure, it requires her to graduate from small-time smuggler to full-on criminal mastermind. And it calls for a particular combination of cunning, technical skills, and large explosions—not to mention sheer brazen swagger. But Jazz has never run into a challenge her intellect can’t handle, and she figures she’s got the ‘swagger’ part down. The trouble is, engineering the perfect crime is just the start of Jazz’s problems. Because her little heist is about to land her in the middle of a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. Trapped...
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
The great thing about this book is that it takes a big-picture view of human history. It attempts to explain the main themes of human history without getting bogged down in the details. Sapiens also debunks many popular myths about human history, including the one that people today live happier lives and have better diets than our hunter-gatherer predecessors. It comes with an epilogue about the future of humankind in light of ever-accelerating technological progress. With the recent advances in AI it is more relevant than ever. If you're going to read one book on history this year, read this one.

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Fast-paced and engaging | 1 | |
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Unique lunar setting | 1 |
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Complex technical jargon | 1 | |
Uneven pacing at times | 1 | |
Limited character development | 1 | |
Less grounded than "The Martian" | 1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Artemis offers a fast-paced, engaging narrative with a strong, relatable protagonist and rich scientific details, making it an entertaining choice for readers who enjoy science fiction and humor. In contrast, Sapiens provides a broad overview of human history, focusing on themes and debunking myths, which appeals to those interested in historical analysis and philosophical insights. The choice between the two depends on whether you prefer a fictional adventure with humor and action or a non-fiction exploration of human history.
Artemis is designed to be an entertaining read with its fast-paced plot, humor, and engaging characters, making it suitable for readers looking for a thrilling story. Sapiens, while insightful and thought-provoking, is more focused on delivering historical analysis and may not provide the same level of entertainment as Artemis. Therefore, if entertainment is your primary goal, Artemis may be the better choice.
Artemis features a strong, relatable protagonist in Jasmine Bashara, who navigates challenges with wit and intelligence. In contrast, Sapiens does not focus on individual characters but rather on the collective journey of humankind. Therefore, if you are looking for a book with a compelling protagonist, Artemis would be the preferred choice.
Artemis is rich in scientific details that enhance the story's setting and plot, appealing to readers who enjoy science fiction. Sapiens, on the other hand, provides a broad historical analysis that may not engage readers looking for detailed scientific explanations. If you prefer engaging scientific concepts within a narrative, Artemis may be more appealing.
'Artemis' is a science fiction novel by Andy Weir that follows the story of Jasmine Bashara, a small-time smuggler in humanity’s first and only lunar colony. In her quest to get rich and improve her living conditions, she gets involved in a high-stakes heist that leads her into a dangerous conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. The novel is filled with scientific details, humor, and suspense.
Pros of 'Artemis' include its fast-paced and engaging plot, a strong and relatable protagonist, rich scientific details, humorous dialogue, and a unique lunar setting. However, some cons are the complex technical jargon, uneven pacing at times, limited character development, and it being less grounded than Andy Weir's previous novel, 'The Martian'.
The protagonist of 'Artemis' is Jasmine Bashara, also known as Jazz. She is a small-time smuggler living in Artemis, the first and only lunar colony. Jazz is ambitious and resourceful, willing to take on risky ventures to achieve her goal of becoming wealthy.
'Artemis' is written by Andy Weir, who is also the author of the bestselling novel 'The Martian'. Weir is known for his detailed scientific accuracy and engaging storytelling style.
The setting of 'Artemis' is unique because it takes place in humanity’s first and only lunar colony. The city of Artemis is vividly imagined and combines elements of a futuristic lunar environment with familiar aspects of human society, making for a fascinating backdrop to the story.
'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' by Yuval Noah Harari takes a big-picture view of human history. It explains the main themes of human evolution and development without getting bogged down in details. The book also debunks many popular myths about human history, such as the idea that people today live happier lives or have better diets than our hunter-gatherer predecessors. It ends with an epilogue discussing the future of humankind in light of accelerating technological progress, making it particularly relevant given recent advances in AI.
'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' discusses several main themes, including the cognitive revolution, the agricultural revolution, the unification of humankind, and the scientific revolution. The book explores how these events have shaped human societies, cultures, and economies. It also delves into the impact of technological advancements on the future of humanity.
Yuval Noah Harari is an Israeli historian and professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is known for his bestselling books 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind', 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow', and '21 Lessons for the 21st Century'. Harari's work focuses on broad historical processes and their implications for the future.
Pros of 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' include its broad, comprehensive view of human history and its ability to debunk popular myths. The book is also praised for its engaging writing style and thought-provoking insights. Cons might include its broad scope, which can sometimes lead to oversimplification of complex historical events, and the fact that some readers may find its speculative future predictions less convincing.