Rating: 
Summary: politically correct
Review: this is the best politically correct version of human history i ever read. mr. diamond skilfully skirts the issue that might bring down on him, the wrath of the "academic nazis" to charge him with racism. on the development/evolution of language - a modern high level language involves the schematic of logic/mathematics and geometry to develop the gramar and evolve a high capacity for abstract though. the european languages have this in common. there had to be some genetic differentiation occuring here by these developed cultures. on the subject of genocide - mr diamond does not have a clue. the so called "desaparecidos" of argentina is an excellent example - the 10,k that were liquidated by the military junta was justified if you lived in buenos aires like i did during that period. these were marxists that wanted to forcefully take over the government. they blew up trains, buses with people in them and commited various political assasinations! these were the children of che gueverra. they wanted to set up another "cuban" like castro regime, which if you noticed, about 12,k opponents of theirs "disappeared". approx 100,k persons (their opponents) would have been killed by these che gueverra marxists in argentina had they been successful. in chile, a similar event occured which the pinochet regime dispatch forwith. again, mr diamond does not have a clue what transpired and to present these incidents as he has as a "morality play" cheapens his work. the other genocide incidents require more of a lengthy study. their discriptions are equaly defective. the subject of genocide requires a strong will to remain neutral (extremenly difficult). i rate his work a B-,
Rating: 
Summary: ITS OUR NATURE TO TRASH THE ENVIRONMENT!
Review: The author accuses we humans of inflicting an environmental holocaust that started some 40 thousand years ago, is presently accelerating, and will climax within the new century. He alleges that in our past we murdered all the Neanderthals and hunted to extinction most of the big mammals and other large animals that roamed in our path. Other extinctions were caused or encouraged by the pests (i.e. rats) that were spread as we expanded worldwide. The trend will supposedly continue since environmental destruction is a human hallmark. While this message may seem unsurprising to we cynics, a great deal of information and speculation is provided that is fresh and provocative.
Rating:
Summary: Interactive reading
Review: Perused this book while shopping in a "brick & mortar bookstore. Having read Guns, Germs & Steel I was familiar with the author's strength - intelligent discourse in a very readable style. The Third Chimpanzee, like GG&S, requires some involvement on the part of the reader. About 70% of the time I felt like I was learning something new and the other 30% my brain was comparing Diamond's thoughts to personal experiences and formulating new perspectives. The topics, which could easily be boring are made interesting by Diamond's frequent linkages to modern reference points. The book's chapters do not need to be read in order and in fact many were published as stand alone articles in Discover and Natural History Magazines. (This may be the secret to their readability.) Diamond does weave a progressive story through the book which culminates in a very thought provoking last chapter. I finished the book thinking, "so what am I going to do about these issues". The reader participation doesn't stop at the end of the book. Two weeks later and it's still percolating in my mind.
Rating:
Summary: Fine summary and speculation about origins of human nature.
Review: I bought this book because I liked "Guns, Germs, andSteel" and was not disappointed. Although there may be booksthat are just as good, the author is not be too close to the theories he's talking about, is balanced, and puts things in perspective. In addition, he provides a great deal of first-hand knowledge from his extensive time in New Guinea. Discusses human evolution, sexuality, language, and vices. Challenges the idea of primitive human's being in harmony with nature, and ends on a conservationist note about endangered species, even providing lists of environmental groups at the end! Still, I will not deny his approach or cause for concern. Very enjoyable reading overall, and only loses steam in the inadequate explanations given in "Why Do We Smoke, Drink, and Use Dangerous Drugs?" but also speaks profoundly about the prevalence of genocide in "In Black and White". This is not bland anthropology.
Rating: 
Summary: It was incredible. Insightful and interesting.
Review: It was a great book. I was not looking forward to reading it, but it ended up being the best book i have read all year. Diamond has alot of very intelligent thoughts, and phrases them in clear, entertaining way.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging AND literate.
Review: Diamond, whose more recent work has earned him a Pulitzer Prize, achieves the most unlikely of successes: a literate, often witty exploration of the unlikely divergence of homo sapiens from its closest genetic relatives. Separated by a mere 1.6% of our genetic makeup from chimpanzees, we have somehow managed to evolve into the first species to have developed not one but two means to destroy both itself and its environment. Along the way Diamond explains chimp communication, menopause, and why human men wound up with such, comparatively, large penises. The fact that this all rendered with considerable wit and style guarantees and excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: Great science writing
Review: Jared Diamond has done something that most science writers do not: describe the process of science. He presents various stages of recontructions and also discusses alternative hypotheses. His examples are fascinating (at least I have not seen them in the popular science literature before), especially about New Guinea peoples and birds. Diamond's description of how the proto indoeuropean language has been reconstructed is a masterpiece (I cannot comment on the linguistic accuracy, but it shows how science works by small incremental steps; and not by great Eureka! insights).
Rating:
Summary: Nice try, but I'd like Gould to comment.
Review: I must first applaud Jarod Diamond for bringing to public conversation the subject of human evolution. The easy reading and interesting subject matter (part two is mostly about sex) keeps the reader's attention.However, his main argument, that complexity makes us unique as a species, takes up too many pages, and, in some instances, he tells us what to think instead of allowing us to come to our own conclusions. One of my teachers made an interesting point: when people outside of the profession tackle anthropology, their thinking tends to be linear. (One example is the works of Ed O. Wilson, who is a biologist.) This book tends to be that way in its arguments; Diamond (who is a professor of physiology) is very selective in his examples by including only certain human cultures or animals to make his points. Some of the points Diamond makes are just simply absurd. He writes, "If the seeds of self-destruction have been so closely linked with the rise of advanced civilizations in other solar systems as well, it becomes easy to understand why we have not been visited by any flying saucers." He's trying to tie human genocide to possible alien cultures! Lastly, some of his thoughts on environmental issues tend to (I think) promote his own political ideas. But you can decide that for yourself. If you're looking for an interesting contrast, pick up one of Gould's books (like Full House.) This contrast can indeed be glaring at times, but Diamond does a good job, in the respect of making the subject matter interesting and readable to the general public.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, easy to read overview of humanity
Review: Wow. I can't stop thinking about this book, even though I finished it a month ago. I can see why Diamond is so in demand as a lecturer and author. He does what is difficult to do in science: speculates intelligently, and with authority. Even better, he labels his speculations as such. But once you hear his theories on a number of subjects, you won't be able to stop thinking about them. Although I am sure that Diamond might be wrong on such subjects on why we abuse drugs, he is so, so, very right in his observations and conclusions based on the evidence of many aspects of our culture, our strengths, and our weaknesses. You really should read this book. Everybody should.
Rating:
Summary: interesting and fun to read
Review: One of my favorite author, Dimaond, has written several books. Like all other books he wrote, I like this one very much. It is very informative and easy tor ead.
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