For those that have read both of these books, how exactly do they differ? Am I wrong to assume they are interchangeable? I hear that Guns, Germs and Steel by Diamond has copped a lot of criticism, so perhaps is my best bet just to go straight to Sapiens by Dr Harari?

Before I read either or both of these books however, I plan to read Bill Bryson's "A Short History On Nearly Everything", and a few of Richard Dawkins books. Then from there I will venture into more specific parts of history. Is this a good plan?