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  • 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

  • Written by: Yuval Noah Harari
  • Narrated by: Derek Perkins
  • Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,945 ratings)

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21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Written by: Yuval Noah Harari
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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Publisher's Summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In Sapiens, he explored our past. In Homo Deus, he looked to our future. Now, one of the most innovative thinkers on the planet turns to the present to make sense of today’s most pressing issues.

“Fascinating . . . a crucial global conversation about how to take on the problems of the twenty-first century.”—Bill Gates, The New York Times Book Review

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY FINANCIAL TIMES AND PAMELA PAUL, KQED

How do computers and robots change the meaning of being human? How do we deal with the epidemic of fake news? Are nations and religions still relevant? What should we teach our children?

Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a probing and visionary investigation into today’s most urgent issues as we move into the uncharted territory of the future. As technology advances faster than our understanding of it, hacking becomes a tactic of war, and the world feels more polarized than ever, Harari addresses the challenge of navigating life in the face of constant and disorienting change and raises the important questions we need to ask ourselves in order to survive.

In twenty-one accessible chapters that are both provocative and profound, Harari builds on the ideas explored in his previous books, untangling political, technological, social, and existential issues and offering advice on how to prepare for a very different future from the world we now live in: How can we retain freedom of choice when Big Data is watching us? What will the future workforce look like, and how should we ready ourselves for it? How should we deal with the threat of terrorism? Why is liberal democracy in crisis?

Harari’s unique ability to make sense of where we have come from and where we are going has captured the imaginations of millions of readers. Here he invites us to consider values, meaning, and personal engagement in a world full of noise and uncertainty. When we are deluged with irrelevant information, clarity is power. Presenting complex contemporary challenges clearly and accessibly, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is essential reading.

“If there were such a thing as a required instruction manual for politicians and thought leaders, Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari’s
21 Lessons for the 21st Century would deserve serious consideration. In this collection of provocative essays, Harari . . . tackles a daunting array of issues, endeavoring to answer a persistent question: ‘What is happening in the world today, and what is the deep meaning of these events?’”—BookPage (top pick)

©2018 Yuval Noah Harari (P)2018 Signal

What the critics say

“Truly mind-expanding...Ultra-topical...Harari’s big selling point [is] the ambition and breadth of his work, smashing together unexpected ideas into dazzling observations.” (The Guardian)

“This well-informed and searching book is one to be savored and widely discussed.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Erudite, illuminating, vivid. [Harari’s] lessons suggest new ways of thinking about current problems...a splendid, sobering, stirring call to arms.” (Sunday Times)

What listeners say about 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

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Harari’s Books are a delight

If you have been following Yuval Noah Harari’s work, you will not be disappointed. He still delivers the same experience, knowledge and insight.

If you are new to his work, I recommend this to read first and then go to Sapiens and Homo Deus.

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Thought provoking

Every paragraph, every page is thought provoking. It drips with cynicism. It mocks almost everything and everyone we may have held sacred.
A must read though I would recommend completing the trilogy in order (Sapiens, Homo Deus then 21 Lessons).

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A deep insight needed for our modern time

I listened to the whole book in about 2 weeks while coming in and out of work. Following Sapiens, the author delivers a meaningful message to our present day tribe. I recommend its read to anyone who searches for an overview of the changes coming for our specie.

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Someone gave this book a one star rating...

I am really sorry for that reviewer that gave this book a one star rating and complained about the author rambling about algorithms and providing no solutions. I am also sorry for the thirteen people who found that review helpful but I thank them for making me buy this book, the third book from this author. If you don’t find this book insightful and poignant in today’s discourse then you are one of the many millions of people living in blissful ignorance who have chosen to bury their heads in the sand for fear of acknowledging the truth. You need help!

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very insightful

This book is very insightful and would recommend to anyone who wants to get a little taste of humanity and the human psyche.

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Honest and fact-based interpretation of life

Yuval’s knowledge, insight and historically accurate portrayal of the world and how we fit into it is amazing. I will be listening to it again.

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21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Absolutely amazing read!
The author covers a wide variety of very difficult and interesting topics, leading a great prospective on each. The breakdown allows the reader a better opportunity to understand such complex topics! Will be recommending this book for year to come!

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A must listen!

The perspective of the future depicted by Yuval is scary but somehow exciting. As a curious person wondering about life, the work of Yuval is answering a lot of my wonders but also add more questions about homo-sapiens purpose in this world. Thank you your work!

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Well worth it.

#Audible1

21 Lessons for 21st Century is a perfect book if you have a 15-20 minute commute to work. Very interesting and captivating.

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Brilliant

Maybe the most poignant and eloquent summary of human events in the 21st century ever written.

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