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Totally regret this purchase. Two chapters in i quit. This guy is so self ceter and full of. bull.
Diamond looks at the development of humanity throughout history in a new way. His analysis of how mankind changed through technology and how certain countries easily conquered much larger ones is explained with several examples via a historical analysis. His look at farming and farm animal diseases and how these influenced human immunity explains the advantages certain conquerors had over others. Though much is theory, the ideas it promotes are very convincing.
However being only a beginner in terms of world history knowledge, I would leave it up to historians to debate this last point. There's also the constant referral to New Guinea in almost every significant aspect of the book; no doubt attributable to the field work performed by Diamond on this particular place.
A friend happened to recommend this book so I bought it. I was searching for a world history book that would condense the most significant events into one volume.
For an avid history major this may seem like the right book; however, for someone looking for a brush up on world history from a broad perspective, this book would seem technical and even boring at some points. Although I've only read one third of the book, it seems to me a little dense and scientific.
It does not read as a novel but rather as a scientific approach towards civilization. It seems however that it obscures the objectivity of world history by his specific findings and subjective conclusions.
Loaded with data and scientific conclusions on very specific areas; low on generalized high view cornerstones of history.
He has combined his life experiences, education and his own reason to create works that move our society's intellectual wealth a giant leap forward.Detractors may claim that his version of history dehumanizes events. I envy Jared Diamond. His two books "Guns,Germs and Steel" and "Collapse" are products of a life well lived. Rather, this work emphasizes that there are undeniable physical constraints and advantages each culture encounters. It is these factors which provide the framework for individual choices and development.
After reading this book, I've gifted it to several friends. I further encouraged each of them to pass it on when they finished with it. It is an easily read but powerful look at our World as we know it and as good an implied condemnation of racism as any I've ever seen. While this sounds very serious, the book is actually wonderfully fun and entertaining.
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