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jeffmauch's review against another edition
5.0
A solid history book from Jared Diamond isn't a surprise really, but just how much I enjoyed it truly was. I went into this thinking I'd find the exploration of how different nations deal with a major crisis to be boring, but it couldn't have been further from the truth. The first chapter exploring how individual people deal with crisis was somewhat boring, but from there on out it was hard to put the book down. I think a big reason for that is many of the historical events used as examples in this book are one's that I am familiar with, but which I lack a deep understanding. Sure, I most people have an idea of post WW2 Germany, the Berlin airlifts and Berlin wall and how that played out, but many are far less familiar with Finland's winter war with Russia prior to WW2, or how the Japanese reacted to their post isolation years after Commodore Perry sailed into their waters. This was a thought provoking read that has piqued my interests in a few historical events that I clearly need to learn more about.
jamscoopa's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book but ultimately it was fairly shallow and too strung out. The premise that you can judge a country's ability to handle crises in the same way is intersting, but the actualy thesis I thought lacked depth. I liked the stories for each country, Diamond is a good storyteller, and while the conclusions were seemingly correct, the process was lacking for me.
dsoreads's review against another edition
3.0
Gives a fascinating perspective on a new way to look at countries. Felt a bit funny in the start as though countries are to undergo some sort of psychological therapy of sorts, but it did render some interesting perspectives to the evolution stories of different countries.
The stories of post-war Germany and Post-Perry-visit Japan was most interesting, along with Finland’s independent unique choices. Having said all of this, this is a narrative historical analysis and are through the eyes of an American. So, am not sure if the narratives are unbiased. Worth a read, but would take it with a pinch of salt and reservations.
The stories of post-war Germany and Post-Perry-visit Japan was most interesting, along with Finland’s independent unique choices. Having said all of this, this is a narrative historical analysis and are through the eyes of an American. So, am not sure if the narratives are unbiased. Worth a read, but would take it with a pinch of salt and reservations.
noodal's review against another edition
3.0
The review by Anand Giridharadas for The New York Times captures many of the feelings I had while listening to this book, particularly in categorizing the book as part of the "genre of 30,000-foot books", on par with Harari's Sapiens. I realized, through this, that these books are designed to be vague enough to capture the interest of international travelers, but lack the substance to actually stay with us. Giridharadas focuses his critique on the inaccuracies in Diamond's research but I can only speak to the chapter on Indonesia. Though I found nothing erroneous in the chapter, other than speaking about the "national crisis" from an outdated foreign perspective, its only merit is in raising awareness to Indonesia's global presence especially for American audiences. It does not dive deep into the issues of national identity and how it fits within the context of national crises - it simply recognizes that they exist. That being said, I agree with Diamond that protectionist measures are more likely to hinder nations, and that rising populism will ultimately bring forth new crises.
elena_garbarino's review against another edition
2.0
Due stelle possono sembrare impietose per un libro del genere ma credo che sia necessaria fare una riflessione che va oltre: nella versione cartacea italiana questo libro costa 30 euro, che non sono pochi. Ho comprato questo libro in formato eBook Kindle 12,99 euro, meno della metà, all’incirca il suo vero valore. Il libro è in molte parti ripetitivo, come a voler allungare il brodo. E questa sensazione si conferma quando nella bibliografia l’autore afferma di voler snellire questa parte consigliando letture interessanti e non citando articoli specializzati e pressoché introvabili. Subito dopo, però, il libro ci presenta una serie di immagini che dovrebbero esplicare i concetti esposti: essenziale la fotografia di canguri con la didascalia “paesaggio australiano di deserto e canguri, molto diverso da qualsiasi altro paesaggio europeo”. Fondamentale. E la traduzione italiana che usa “random” come termine adatto a un saggio? Se compro un libro da 30 euro, mi aspetto molto ma molto di più.
- Imparerete qualcosa leggendo questo libro: assolutamente sì.
- Troverete passaggi illuminanti o spunti di riflessione nuovi? Qualcuno sì.
- Gli editori hanno marciato sul fatto che fosse un libro di Diamond: assolutamente sì.
- Vale una spesa di 30 euro? No.
- Imparerete qualcosa leggendo questo libro: assolutamente sì.
- Troverete passaggi illuminanti o spunti di riflessione nuovi? Qualcuno sì.
- Gli editori hanno marciato sul fatto che fosse un libro di Diamond: assolutamente sì.
- Vale una spesa di 30 euro? No.
joestewart's review against another edition
5.0
This was a tough book for me to get through, but I’m glad I did. Jared Diamond is a remarkable thinker and his 40+ years of university level research and analysis across many areas of study (physiology, geography, economics) enables him to draw conclusions based on research and experience that the rest of us would never reach.
jenn756's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this, only four stars as I thought the last chapter was stating the obvious. But the chapters on Finland, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Germany and Chile were fascinating. I knew of them, but knew so little about them. It is a useful exercise to examine how other countries tackle common problems, and how they sometimes fail. We are foolish if we think we are invulnerable to failure too.
steve97886's review against another edition
2.0
Man, I found this a slog. On the positive side, I did learn a couple of things but I don't feel like there's anything in this book which isn't covered in a more detailed, interesting way by other, less grating authors. My main issues:
A) He keeps name-dropping people he knows; senators, young people, etc. So much of the rhetoric about what people felt in all these countries he talks about just seem to be from his mates.
B) The writing is quite arrogant. Diamond is clearly privileged and doesn't mind telling you about his various trips to places. It's like talking to your boring boomer relatives.
C) The writing is shallow. He talks about his own personal crisis for pages (something about gallbladders) and doesn't talk about crises affecting other people.
D) Lack original ideas
Better books on this topic: Prisoners of Geography, The Precipice.
A) He keeps name-dropping people he knows; senators, young people, etc. So much of the rhetoric about what people felt in all these countries he talks about just seem to be from his mates.
B) The writing is quite arrogant. Diamond is clearly privileged and doesn't mind telling you about his various trips to places. It's like talking to your boring boomer relatives.
C) The writing is shallow. He talks about his own personal crisis for pages (something about gallbladders) and doesn't talk about crises affecting other people.
D) Lack original ideas
Better books on this topic: Prisoners of Geography, The Precipice.
antony_monir's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting book but sadly it only focuses on issues from a single perspective and tends to simplify complex historical events. Diamond’s analysis of these events is also lacklustre a lot of the time. Final rating: 2/5.