In this “artful, informative, and delightful” (William H. McNeill, New York Review of Books) book, Jared Diamond convincingly argues that geographical and environmental factors shaped the modern world. Societies that had had a head start in food production advanced beyond the hunter-gatherer stage, and then developed religion–as well as nasty germs and potent weapons of war–and adventured on … adventured on sea and land to conquer and decimate preliterate cultures. A major advance in our understanding of human societies, Guns, Germs, and Steel chronicles the way that the modern world came to be and stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science, the Rhone-Poulenc Prize, and the Commonwealth club of California’s Gold Medal.
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This book provides THE definitive understanding of history. A real eye-opener! I can’t say enough. That alone takes it to 5-star status. However, beware that it has lots of references and repeats theses and arguments in the way that a formal white paper would. So, while it is fascinating, be prepared for author to repeat and to provide more …
This book is a course in world history, anthropology, geography, agronomy, mammal biology and other facets rolled into one. It is not a casual read but has very informative and thought provoking content.
Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel is another great book to look at the rise of civilization and the spread of thought in the history of mankind. I feel that he builds on the seminal work of Paul Kennedy (“the Rise and Fall of the Great Powers”) and expands the tale much further. His work is well-written and thought-provoking. If you’re …
Wow! This book changed my view of humanity so much so that I read it again. I’ve recommended this book to all that I thought would be interested.
Very interesting perspective of the evolution of humanity.
An interesting book about how environment, not genetics, propelled some groups out of the stone age sooner than others and allowed them to develop civilizations, domesticate plants and animals, and invent technologies.
There were many facts that I already knew about how societies developed, but there was quiet a bit of information that I hadn’t …
Interesting ideas.
Unmissable perspective on the origin and development of world civilizations. What a magnificent work.
A bit long but interesting
Brilliant thinking, eloquently articulated. VERY eye-opening.
Excellent excellent book. I would highly recommend to anyone.
Jared Diamond’s writing seems very much like that of a college professor with his syllabus in hand, but nevertheless he makes interesting points and it is very informative.
Diamond puts forth a convincing set of arguments and facts that support his thesis for how we got to where we are.
a difficult read, however, an encyclopedic look into human existence is no small undertaking. it is extremely informative and well worth the time.
Sadly I worry that this was prescient. Could this be the blueprint for our future if we aren’t smart?
Historically educating
Good read for hs students. Otherwise, nothing new or revelatory here. Hasn’t everyone of adult age figured this out already?
Formulaic and repetitive with too much self-reference to author’s single personal experience that supports his arguments. But can recommend for the student eager to increase the scope of their thinking and create a …
Well written, informative and very readable. you will love this book if you are a lover of knowledge.
Great popular science
This was such a great read. Looks at why being Anglo-Saxon is not necessarily the be-all and end-all of the universe. Posits that different cultures evolved as they did based on the resources around them. Lucky duck Europeans just had a hell of a lot of natural resources which set them up to exploit the resources of others as they became …