21 Lessons for the 21st Century

By: Yuval Noah Harari

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Number One New York Times Best Seller

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)

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. 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 listening.

Praise for 21 Lessons for the 21st Century:

"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)

"A sobering and tough-minded perspective on bewildering new vistas." (Booklist)

©2018 Yuval Noah Harari (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Listeners are encouraged to consider multiple points of view, and [narrator Derek] Perkins delivers them earnestly, creating a contemplative mood." (AudioFile)

not nearly as good as his first two.

unfortunately sapien's is by far his best book, homo Deus his second, and this one is a few steps down from homo Deus

Great overview of Harari’s perspectives

For those of us who haven’t had a chance to read his prior work, this is a great substitute. Last couple of sections drag a bit, but overall, compelling and thought-provoking. Some of it is derivative, but these days, what isn’t? He’s an excellent writer, and Perkins is a very engaging reader.

Thought Provoking

Very thought provoking writing. Strays a bit and tries to explain a bit harder but still very engaging. And will be relevant for years to come.

When he's good, he's very very good

More uneven than Sapiens. Some chapters -- e.g. on Humility & Secularism -- are just wonderful, illuminating. Others -- e.g. on AI -- are redundant, speculative, and a bit obsessive. But overall, it's worth fast forwarding a bit through the sluggish parts to get to the best parts. And the the best are worth re-listening to again and again.

I totally agree with his last chapter on Meditation, and appreciate the author sharing a bit of his personal life. However it's overly long and a bit pedantic and repetitive.

great read

Required reading for the current age. Very relevant for likely the next few decades. Really enjoyed.

great look inward, very refreshing

Noah Harari Focused on the here and now, Entertaining scary and mind provoking

Well read

As good as Sapiens.

The beginning and AI talk are a bit repetitive of Harari's previous books but this book gains momentum as it progresses, raising many questions for a discussion.

Engrossing

Substantial content. Narrator is great. Some contents though are the same with Sapiens. But it's ok.

Great read!

Great read just as good as first book (Brief hristory), really enjoyable and educational at same point.

Great insight as Sapiens and Homo Deus

Really interesting and clear way of putting some crucial issues. Have a blast listening the views. As a critic, it brings back a lot of the points of the other books, not a big complain but because I listened the three in sequence, wasnt all that eye opening as Sapiens.