Sapiens

The Sapiens, short for Homo sapiens, are the central characters in this history book. They are the people whom Harari follows as they kill off other types of humans as well as some types of animals.

Even though little is known about the way that Sapiens lived, their ancestors differentiated themselves from other animals because they had the ability to use tools and the ability to start and control fire.

Sapiens have what Harari calls the superpower of cooperation. He explains large groups of Sapiens can work together toward a common goal. Sapiens also have the ability to make up stories — like rules to games and the existence of corporations — to aid in this cooperation.

While they did not mean to do so, Sapiens have earned the unfortunate designation of having hunted to extinction many different forms of large animals, like mammoths.

Neanderthals

Neanderthals are another type...