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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As a geographer, I can find things to quibble over or, perhaps, have an even greater argument. Having said that, it’s a great work of synthesis across multiple disciplines.
Heart breaking what human beings have done to one another over the centuries…. A very good read…. eye opening….. History … sigh
For people who love history.
Non-fiction theory of rise of civilization. Author uses formula that he applies to cultures from Africa, to Europe, to Pacific Islands. This makes for repetitive reading and thoughtful readers will find themselves bored after third presentation. Also, it’s not new insight, it’s solid common sense that has probably already occurred to any readers …
Whole thing is based on a premise–that really is unswallowable!
Very interesting but slow reading (textbook like)
Excellent treatise, highly recommended.
Loved the tale that Diamond weaves using guns, germs, and steel to tell about the past and where we are headed.
The best book I have ever read.
This is pathbreaking and fascinating inter-disciplinary research.
This is a classic, still remaining a classic. I used to use it in my classes.
Thought provoking!
Extremely informative history of how metal and microbes cross continents and ocrabs, and why they do not.
If you want to understand world history then read this book. It’s awesome!
Jareds unique perspective on things gave me an insight that I didn’t have before.
I confess to not reading much non-fiction, but this subject matter has always fascinated me. To absorb this detailed info in an easy-to-read style makes this book a real page-turner. If we could ever learn from history, this is our chance. Highly recommend for non-fluff readers.
A brilliant analysis of civilization development and the shaping power of geography. A must read.
A must-read.
While not a thriller or a mystery, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to have their mind opened a little more. This book was recommended to me initially by my son-in-law who only recommends books which makes people think. This author/book has so much information and facts (not opinions) about how & why civilizations came to develop …
Brilliant presentation of the reasons behind the rise and dominance of the west and no, it wasn’t because of cultural, or genetic superiority.