Structure

This book is organized into four large parts, which are then subdivided into chapters. As a work of historical nonfiction, it is broadly chronological, the first parts addresses the origins of human beings and the evolution of Homo sapiens. Later parts trace the development of agriculture and the major unifying forces that order large societies. The final section ends at the present day with a series of predictions for the near future. Within each part and chapter, however, the information is arranged thematically, rather than in strict chronological order. For example, Part Three contains chapters on money, empires, and religion. All of these developed roughly simultaneously; monetary systems were created by empires who also endorsed or persecuted religious groups. As a result, certain historical events are addressed before other events that actually preceded them. A description of the British Empire precedes Harari’s introduction of Christianity, for...