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lewcharl's review
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This is an interesting read though some of his ideas are a little out there or outdated by recent scientific studies.
cetian's review
5.0
The title sums up the provocative proposal that Jared Diamond advances in this book. Why think of humans in any other way than as another chimpanzee? The argument is very well presented - the evidence for the classification of our species in the same branch of the common chimpanzee and the bonobo. What this allows is too escape the trap (we are usually in) of human exceptionalism and, instead, look at our species with some degree of sobriety and equanimity.
The author goes on a brave attempt to investigate the history of our species and our potential for future survival. This is an interesting exercize. We are, so far, the only species we know that is self-aware. But we frequently are unable to do these exercizes where we include ourselves in the planet's tree of life. This book is not an heretic gratuitous provocation, using a device just for shock value or to get media attention and sell more. It is a serious effort to restore humanity to its most precious place: nature. And by that effort, to give us a better perspective of where we are and where our future might take us.
The author goes on a brave attempt to investigate the history of our species and our potential for future survival. This is an interesting exercize. We are, so far, the only species we know that is self-aware. But we frequently are unable to do these exercizes where we include ourselves in the planet's tree of life. This book is not an heretic gratuitous provocation, using a device just for shock value or to get media attention and sell more. It is a serious effort to restore humanity to its most precious place: nature. And by that effort, to give us a better perspective of where we are and where our future might take us.
bsmashers's review
4.0
An important environmental perspective of our species. It reminded me a lot of Collapse and Guns, Germs and Steel. I hope as a species we can learn from our past and reign in our destructive powers to prevent our demise.
davidr's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful book by a great author. In fact, I prefer this book to the other books that I've read by Jared Diamond. It is entertaining, informative, and every page is interesting. The book covers a vast range of topics, such as how are humans qualitatively different from other animals, why do men do stupid things to impress women, why do people practice adultery, why do humans practice genocide, how did languages evolve, why do some people become addicted to drugs, why do humans produce art, and why do humans age. The book ends with the ecological harm humans have done to the planet (not just recently, but in ancient times as well), and the extinctions of species that we cause. Diamond shows how none of these activities are unique to humans; each activity has some analog in animal behavior, as well.
Like Diamond's other books, there is plenty of speculation here. He makes sweeping generalizations that are not always held up by documented facts. But Diamond's enthusiasm rings loud and clear, and his speculations always sound reasonable, at least to me.
Like Diamond's other books, there is plenty of speculation here. He makes sweeping generalizations that are not always held up by documented facts. But Diamond's enthusiasm rings loud and clear, and his speculations always sound reasonable, at least to me.
buttermellow's review
4.0
This book is clearly now a bit dated. But even so, it's not so dated that it's message is invalid. I learned so much from this book. Every chapter I started out with my curiosity piqued to discover how "human" characteristics really aren't so human after all. By the end of each chapter I was fascinated by the extent of human behavior that's demonstrated in animals, and the evolutionary benefits of these actions. We're not so unique, us humans. Monkeys have a primitive form of language, bowerbirds have art, ants have a sort of agriculture, nesting birds cheat on their "marriages".
I also found it predictable & understandable that exotics like pigs & reindeer introduced suddenly to unsuspecting remote islands within decades completely destroyed their resource base & were left starving w/ nothing remaining to eat. It's not just us that promoted the extinction of 100s of species, but the rats we brought w/ us, which small mammals & birds were completing unprepared for in for example New Zealand and Hawaii. But at the same time it is our fault for accelerating this environmental degradation process nearing the point of no return. We introduce exotics, deforest, hunt, develop, take over.
Jared Diamond is optimistic about the human ability to change all of their actions & move in the direction of stability w/ the Earth. He has faith that politicians worldwide will put aside their personal desires for wealth & power to look long-term at the bigger picture.
I also found it predictable & understandable that exotics like pigs & reindeer introduced suddenly to unsuspecting remote islands within decades completely destroyed their resource base & were left starving w/ nothing remaining to eat. It's not just us that promoted the extinction of 100s of species, but the rats we brought w/ us, which small mammals & birds were completing unprepared for in for example New Zealand and Hawaii. But at the same time it is our fault for accelerating this environmental degradation process nearing the point of no return. We introduce exotics, deforest, hunt, develop, take over.
Jared Diamond is optimistic about the human ability to change all of their actions & move in the direction of stability w/ the Earth. He has faith that politicians worldwide will put aside their personal desires for wealth & power to look long-term at the bigger picture.
twinkle's review
4.0
It was an interesting read and a great introduction to some aspects of anthropology. I'd recommending reading another book by Diamond--Guns, Germs, and Steel if you wand to delve deeper into some of the concepts introduced in the book.
tsbowman1124's review
This book was published in 1991. If I had read it closer to that publish date I might've found the book more interesting. As it is 3 chapters in and science has moved far beyond the author's speculations. Neanderthal DNA did make it into modern man. Sexuality is not as simplistic as the author would like. Science has already moved on.
christhedoll's review
4.0
the part about genocide, and how it has its counterparts in the animal kingdom, still sits heavy in my mind. we humans like to think we are so evolved. how many genocides are happening right now?