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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This was a good read, though the drawback for me was that it does read a little too much like a history textbook at times, which means it can sometimes be tiring to slog through some of the facts. That said, the payoff was worth it for me, as it gave me a lot to think about.
If you're looking for case studies into how some nations dealt with their crises, and how we can possibly use that as a model to deal with our current political climate, then this is a good book to start with. The book does have its drawbacks: For me, a lot of editing could've been done to present this in a more coherent manner, perhaps with tables etc, and there's also the fact that the US itself is still in denial about its own culpability in colonialism and the wars they, directly and indirectly, participated in, which gave rise to the current world climate, and this book sort of edges away from that, which sort of defeats the purpose doesn't it?
I'd still recommend it if you're looking for some interesting anecdotal review of how certain nations dealt with crises and how that would fit into a framework of how individuals deal with their private crises.
If you're looking for case studies into how some nations dealt with their crises, and how we can possibly use that as a model to deal with our current political climate, then this is a good book to start with. The book does have its drawbacks: For me, a lot of editing could've been done to present this in a more coherent manner, perhaps with tables etc, and there's also the fact that the US itself is still in denial about its own culpability in colonialism and the wars they, directly and indirectly, participated in, which gave rise to the current world climate, and this book sort of edges away from that, which sort of defeats the purpose doesn't it?
I'd still recommend it if you're looking for some interesting anecdotal review of how certain nations dealt with crises and how that would fit into a framework of how individuals deal with their private crises.
When Jared Diamond is writing about historical events his narrative is engaging and informative. Unfortunately the second half of this book turns into very superficial speculation on the future direction of the US, Japan and the World in general. Unfortunately a lot of the analysis reads like an undergraduate project. Worse Jared fails to provide and supporting data and indeed some of the trends which he labels as "certain" are readily contradicted by the available data (see 20th Century inflation adjusted commodity prices). Overall while still a useful read this book is a far cry from Guns, Germs and Steel.
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
The book is very repetitive, but that happens with all of Jared Diamon's works. He likes to explain everything over and over again to make sure the public gets his point.
The chapters about Finland and Japan are a bit boring, but the book overall is interesting and worth your time.
The chapters about Finland and Japan are a bit boring, but the book overall is interesting and worth your time.
¿Qué es una crisis? ¿Cómo se resuelve? ¿En qué se parece y en que se diferencia una crisis personal de una crisis nacional? Jared Diamond propone el análisis de momentos críticos en la historia de algunos países comparándola con crisis personales.
Un libro interesantísimo para conocer momentos claves en la historia reciente de Finlandia, Japón, Chile, Indonesia, Alemania y Australia. El análisis final sobre la posible crisis actual de Estados Unidos es demasiado extenso pero igualmente interesante, por otro lado la sección final sobre una crisis mundial plantea preguntas muy importantes.
No me gustó que gran parte del análisis fuera tan subjetivo, pues el autor solo da argumentos basados en lo que le dijeron sus amigos finlandeses, o lo que escucho cuando vivió en Indonesia o cómo percibe a los japoneses, etc., sin dar datos para sustentar muchísimas de sus afirmaciones.
El gran aporte del libro es su marco de análisis de crisis personales vs. nacionales. Creo que se logra muy bien y es un punto de vista muy interesante a través del cuál entender la historia y aprender a resolver nuestros problemas, tanto a nivel personal como nacional.
Un libro interesantísimo para conocer momentos claves en la historia reciente de Finlandia, Japón, Chile, Indonesia, Alemania y Australia. El análisis final sobre la posible crisis actual de Estados Unidos es demasiado extenso pero igualmente interesante, por otro lado la sección final sobre una crisis mundial plantea preguntas muy importantes.
No me gustó que gran parte del análisis fuera tan subjetivo, pues el autor solo da argumentos basados en lo que le dijeron sus amigos finlandeses, o lo que escucho cuando vivió en Indonesia o cómo percibe a los japoneses, etc., sin dar datos para sustentar muchísimas de sus afirmaciones.
El gran aporte del libro es su marco de análisis de crisis personales vs. nacionales. Creo que se logra muy bien y es un punto de vista muy interesante a través del cuál entender la historia y aprender a resolver nuestros problemas, tanto a nivel personal como nacional.
A look at the way countries have dealt with crisis while comparing the ways an individual deals with trauma with the way a nation deals with upheaval. Looking at the history, geography, and economies of the several specific countries and situations in the book as well as the general upheavals that really drew me in. Diamond brings a surprisingly easy to relate to discussion style with a rigorous research background to his books and adds a personal touch when he has visited one of the nations that this book covers that make his books not only full of facts and figures but interesting as well for the general reader. I received a free ARC of this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Jared Diamond does a good job of looking at nations in crisis with a lens of an Individual dealing with one. the Framework of a person dealing with crisis is applied to nations and this is a good lens. The book in divided into 2 parts. Part 1 is a historical description of a few nations in crisis and this is the most enjoyable part of the book. The author has a very perceptive view of nations and the factors that shape them. You can see a lot of the views from Guns, Germs and Steel here. I enjoyed reading about Chile, Germany, Indonesia and Japan in this part.
Part 2 is mostly about the crisis that are ongoing and is somewhat dominated about America. Unfortunately, Jared Diamond does not do as good as a job with america and I just skipped over a long and boring description of the crisis facing America. It does look like it is mostly tacked on to serve and American audience but in my view weighs an excellent book down by having to zoom into the specific nuances of American politics.
You should read the book, just skip all chapters around America. Also the last chapter is absolutely terrible or maybe I was just tired after having gone through a few hundred pages.
Part 2 is mostly about the crisis that are ongoing and is somewhat dominated about America. Unfortunately, Jared Diamond does not do as good as a job with america and I just skipped over a long and boring description of the crisis facing America. It does look like it is mostly tacked on to serve and American audience but in my view weighs an excellent book down by having to zoom into the specific nuances of American politics.
You should read the book, just skip all chapters around America. Also the last chapter is absolutely terrible or maybe I was just tired after having gone through a few hundred pages.