21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Harari's (Sapiens; Homo Deus) latest work doesn't have the same historical narrative flow as his earlier books. Instead, the author identifies various complex issues challenging the world today and unpacks them with foresight and clarity. Artificial intelligence as well as information and biological technologies are just a few of the unremitting forces warping society into a new shape. We need sober and clear analysis of these forces or risk being pulled in frightening directions. The narration is masterfully handled by Derek Perkins, whose voice adds to the overall quality. This work has more personal touches than Harari's previous titles and is the better for it. The analysis of world-altering trends is uneven, particularly his revolutionary views on personhood, which undermines the very rationality he champions as a countervailing dynamism to confront our civilization's challenges. That said, the book is loads of fun.