Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies

Rating:
Summary: Anti-Western propaganda
Review: The book is a violent attack on Western civilization. Diamond tries to compile all possible negative elements. It is far from obvious to me that his ideas are reliable. Even worse, in his rage against the West he forgets the great benefits of the West. Deep in himself he may not stick to his ideas, because I wonder why he does not move to a third World country? Is he realist and ready to live according to his convictions?

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Summary: Frustratiom at errors
Review: Paul Ehrlich in his review wrote that the reader wouldn't be able to put the book down after two pages. Well I put it down after three. Why can't publishers give respect to writers? Three errors in three pages, two of which should be picked up by the most rudimentary spell check. Page 10, second page of preface has "liguistic" for "linguistic". Next page has "of" for "or" in line 5 and "diverese" for "diverse" further down the page. Is this to continue? This from a respectable publisher.

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Summary: speaking in the air
Review: There is not one valid argument nor any strong evidence that Diamond can bring about. I found this book very disappointing, although I am not that criticial. I don't understand why people like that popular book that much. Maybe because it is politically correct and reads very easily?

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Summary: I too, have a friend who provokes my understanding
Review: I am no big degree man but I will be some day. And that is why I invested in this book-because I've heard that degrees are fine-tuned by extra-curricular reading. Being in the early stages of college, I find that Jared's approach to the situation is the most beneficial aspect of the book. Whether the hard facts are true or not, the manner in which he attacks the situation is would certainly make him an attorney of sorts. I admit, I have harbored a few questionable beliefs as to why Europe dominated social development over the centuries but my curiosity genuinely parallels Jared's in my quest to undertand why Watts and Inglewood have always been Watts and Inglewood and also why my upper-class southern California hometown refused to allow 7-11's within its city limits. Maybe the modern version agricultural necessity is beginning to resurface in the face of varied qualities of human resources?

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Summary: Immensely Important
Review: This is an immensely important book, a fresh perspective on human history. It is often said that the winners of wars are the ones to write the history books. As such, Diamond's research is an indispensable counter-balance to our inherited Eurocentric perceptions of history. It's a more comprehensive and meaningful dissection of the rise of Western dominance than the ones we're used to which deal with immediate causes and effects instead of taking us through the geographical and pre-historical underpinnings of the decline and fall of civilizations. 5 stars and counting!!

Rating:
Summary: Unconvincing
Review: I found the evidence used in this book is absolutely unconvincing. I recommmend instead a much better book (IMO), Landes's The Wealth and Poverty of the Nations.

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Summary: Great 'Big Picture'View of history and up-front.
Review: A great work of how and where and when it all came together. Diamond does not 'suppose' or infer but boldy tells it how he sees it, which looks pretty clear. Sure all history is biased and bent out of shape somehow but his interpretation was logical and fun to read. Only I wish there were a few more pictures and maps and references for those historians that aren't as knowledgeable about overall human history. A must read for College History Majors.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting!!
Review: Having started this book, I can understand the viewpoint of many of the reviewers, both pro and con. Here are a few thoughts. To those who think that it's elementary -- many of us were never exposed to any of these topics in high school or college, so to us it is fresh, new and interesting. It was obvious to me that he was writing to a general audience, not to people with serious scientific backgrounds. I would be bored by a general text on my specialty, but I wouldn't criticize someone who chose to write such a book. Yes, he can drive a point home too comprehensively. I've read many other non-fiction books, however, in which the author seems to have absolutely no idea how to string the narrative together, so I'm not going to criticize someone who can actually organize his thoughts. (Try reading the Florence Harding biography if you want to experience some horrible writing.) The specific comments in the reviews are helpful to someone deciding whether or not to buy the book, but we should all remember that the author has to write for the target audience. It's not one-size-fits-all.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Book, but not a Great Book
Review: Jared Diamond has produced a wonderful synthesis from a wide variety of sources to create this fine book. However, it lacks the "a-ha" moment. There is very little in this book that will surprise the reasonably erudite reader. And for those who actually believe that the last 500 years of history are testament to the inherent superiority of Western Europeans, It is unlikely that they will read this or any other book requiring more than a rudimentary education.What especially concerns me is the future of this book in a world of literalist Biblical interpretation, to which we seem to be headed in some parts of this country. Where is the place for descriptions of population movements 100,000 years ago when we are taught the universe is only 10,000 (or 6,000 to some) years old? How can one describe Ice Ages and their hindrance on human movement and not Noah's flood? How can one trace the spread of languages without mentioning the Tower of Babel? None of these questions poses a problem unless one insists on the literal truth of Genesis. Unfortunately, many of us do.In the upcoming world order of the Kansas School Board, "Guns, Germs, and Steel" will be burned at the stake, unless we are ready to act.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent compilation of materials - riveting
Review: This book is fascinating. It really brings you to the same conclusion the author has come to and very logically and compellingly - especially the East-West and germs section. Makes "science" fun!