Sapienship is proud to have managed and co-produced the adaptation of bestselling book Sapiens into an enticing graphic novel series – in line with our mission to engage the general public with the story of humankind, and to facilitate a global conversation on issues that matter. Our editorial team embraced the challenge of telling the epic story of our species visually; we ensured every illustrated page was approached with research-based scientific rigour, and with attention to diversity and multiple cultural perspectives. Sapienship not only enjoyed facilitating the creative collaboration between renowned authors Yuval Noah Harari (co-writer), David Vandermeulen (co-writer) and Daniel Casanave (illustrator) – across continents and amidst a pandemic – but also contributing to the delicate representation of humankind in a way that is inclusive and universal.
Our adventure unfolds across millions of years, guided by a fictional Yuval Noah Harari and a whole host of globetrotting characters. Together, they cut through the noise of our information- deluged world, step back, and take a look at the really big picture: the entire history of the human species. At the heart of their explorations is a niggling question: how on Earth did an insignificant ape become the ruler of the planet, capable of splitting the atom, flying to the Moon, and manipulating the genetic code of life?
The series was launched in fall 2020 with Volume 1; The Birth of Humankind – which explores the rise of humans over other animals; how we spread from Africa to the rest of the planet; and the ecological footprints we left along the way. Volume 2; The Pillars of Civilization, continues to the domestication of crops and animals, the subsequent rise of cities, empires, bureaucracy, writing, and - of course – social hierarchies. Readers are taken on a wild and colorful ride through the Cognitive and Agricultural Revolutions, which are explored through humorous scenes, masterpieces of modern art, a fictional reality tv show, an Elizabethan tragedy, travel brochures, and many other pop culture references – along with guest appearances by the likes of Steve Jobs, Franz Kafka, Margaret Thatcher and Scarlett O’Hara.
Check out the rest of this page to get a flavor of the books, the characters they feature, and where you can buy them!
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