Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
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Book Reviews of Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Book Review: Poor condition
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought a new hard cover edition for my husband as a Christmas gift and the first pages of the book were torn. I was extremely disappointed as this was a gift, and was supposed to be brand new.Book Review: IS THIS THE KEY TO PEACE?
Summary: 5 Stars
Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice
Perhaps one of the most important books I've read, Diamond asks the question: Why did some human cultures innovate and prosper, and end up colonizing the rest? Why did other cultures not develop past stone tools? Gives a scientific answer not based on race. Diamond is one smart fellow. A mature scientist. He uses everything he knows in this book. Guns, Germs & Steel is a Pulitzer Prize winner, winner of the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science, and a National Bestseller. Acclaimed by The New Yorker, New York Times, almost everyone else, major professors and-- Bill Gates. A must read for any thoughtful person. Great book club selection.
Book Review: If only everyone read this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was actually the text book for a world history paper i took at university. I enjoyed the book (and the course) immensely. I've seen that Jared Diamonds arguments have not found favour with all the reviewers and perhaps I'll have to give the book a second look. My first impression was that Diamond adequately explains differences between the wealth of peoples across the world, applying research from many academic disciplines to reinforce his theories. I felt that Diamond produced a theory that successfully dismisses racist ideas on the differences between people. An accessible and enjoyable read, with conclusions i believe should not be dismissed easily. Perhaps critics of his work have ideological as opposed to scientific disagreements with his work. If this book were more widely read, I think it could do the world a great deal of good.Book Review: Brilliant even when you disagree with the theses
Summary: 4 Stars
4.5 stars
This is a very thought-provoking work. If the plot summary seems even remotely interesting to you, read the book. Diamond is a fine writer and a sharp, humble thinker. There are many aha!-type passages here that will make you reconsider some of our basic cultural notions.
I had an interview already set up with Diamond for 9/12/01, and the previous day's events made for one of the most fascinating conversations I had with the many dozens of authors etc I interviewed in that period. Diamond isn't married to all of his hypotheses, and he can defend each one intelligently while making you rethink what you believe about life on this planet...and be wryly funny at the same time!
That's no mean feat.
Plus, a lot of this book just plain makes sense.
Book Review: Eurocentric bias. Uses old theories now proven wrong
Summary: 1 Stars
It is hard to understand why this book won the pulitzer (though another reviewer points it out: only journalists give the awards -- not scientists, historians and others in relevant fields who could have pointed out flaws).
Readers would benefit from reading J.M.Blaut's criticisms of this book, in his Eight Eurocentric Historians. Also any other author that can discredit this eurocentric nonsense (though they likely won't get awards from the "establishement" I bet!)