Scan barcode
stephlmacp's review against another edition
It seems interesting. Just not a fit for me right now.
magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
First, I would like to preface this comment by saying that Jared Diamond is not an anthropologist nor is he an archaeologist. He's a bio-geographer who writes on a multitude of topics ranging from biology to archaeology to technology, most of which can be found synthesized in his books. While I don't agree with his conclusions, I have to commend him for his ability to bring all of these topics together in a way that's approachable and not overloaded with jargon.
Diamond's argument at it's core is that some societies have advanced and others haven't because of accidents of geography which have allowed some societies such as Eurasian (who's continent is oriented east-west) to develop food production and advance ahead of other societies such as African and American societies (both of who's continents are oriented north-south). This east-west orientation allowed for easier transport of food production as well as social complexity that gave these people a head start.
It sounds like a good argument and Diamond makes a great case for it using geographic, botanical, historical and even linguistic data to support his argument. Unfortunately much of his arguments center around broad generalizations of his points. Specifically, the argument over the new world falling due to germs and steel. This is true in many cases, but many groups had longs since disappeared by the time Europeans arrived. Even a thriving chiefdom like Moundville which was said to house thousands of inhabitants was nothing more than an acropolis when de Soto came through the south in the 1540s.
Many scholars have rebutted Diamond's claims much more eloquently than I could possibly hope to accomplish here. It seems to me though that if more academic and historical information were available in such a readable and approachable format as this, perhaps there would be more interest in these subjects aside from these few texts that make it into the mainstream and what is left in the academic world. To be honest, I think some academic writers could take a few hints from Diamond and his way with words.
All in all, this book is very recommendable. But like anything, it can't be taken at face value. Most of the research presented here is merely the tip of the iceberg.
Diamond's argument at it's core is that some societies have advanced and others haven't because of accidents of geography which have allowed some societies such as Eurasian (who's continent is oriented east-west) to develop food production and advance ahead of other societies such as African and American societies (both of who's continents are oriented north-south). This east-west orientation allowed for easier transport of food production as well as social complexity that gave these people a head start.
It sounds like a good argument and Diamond makes a great case for it using geographic, botanical, historical and even linguistic data to support his argument. Unfortunately much of his arguments center around broad generalizations of his points. Specifically, the argument over the new world falling due to germs and steel. This is true in many cases, but many groups had longs since disappeared by the time Europeans arrived. Even a thriving chiefdom like Moundville which was said to house thousands of inhabitants was nothing more than an acropolis when de Soto came through the south in the 1540s.
Many scholars have rebutted Diamond's claims much more eloquently than I could possibly hope to accomplish here. It seems to me though that if more academic and historical information were available in such a readable and approachable format as this, perhaps there would be more interest in these subjects aside from these few texts that make it into the mainstream and what is left in the academic world. To be honest, I think some academic writers could take a few hints from Diamond and his way with words.
All in all, this book is very recommendable. But like anything, it can't be taken at face value. Most of the research presented here is merely the tip of the iceberg.
kevin_milne's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who has already read Harrari's "Sapiens" - a lot of the information in this book was familliar, albeit "Guns, Germs, and Steel" has a slightly more narrow focus.
Wonderful infotainment, to say the least, I've always found Anthropological studies to be my subject of choice when seeking knowledge in a leisure-type-way. That said, a lot of this book's second half is overwrought, redundant or repetitive.
Diamond essentially proves his point in part one, explaining the environmental factors present in Eurasia that allowed these peoples a head start on the track to progress- the superiority of the domestic animals available, the east-west nature of the continent allowing for rapid spread of useful agricultural plants, to name the two most pertinent. The result is Eurasia's agricultural revolution began between 5 and 3 thousand years earlier, and on a much larger scale, than that of Africa, America, or Australasia.
This point, albeit an thorough and interesting thesis, is revealed early and the book moves on to several case studies supporting it, leaving this book smouldering like a fire that burned too quick.
Worth a read, though.
Wonderful infotainment, to say the least, I've always found Anthropological studies to be my subject of choice when seeking knowledge in a leisure-type-way. That said, a lot of this book's second half is overwrought, redundant or repetitive.
Diamond essentially proves his point in part one, explaining the environmental factors present in Eurasia that allowed these peoples a head start on the track to progress- the superiority of the domestic animals available, the east-west nature of the continent allowing for rapid spread of useful agricultural plants, to name the two most pertinent. The result is Eurasia's agricultural revolution began between 5 and 3 thousand years earlier, and on a much larger scale, than that of Africa, America, or Australasia.
This point, albeit an thorough and interesting thesis, is revealed early and the book moves on to several case studies supporting it, leaving this book smouldering like a fire that burned too quick.
Worth a read, though.
casteele303's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Loved how easy to read and digest this information was. Like your favorite HS science teacher talking to you. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to establish a solid foundation in their understanding of anthropology.