In this Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Jared Diamond asks how and why some societies become more successful than others. He looks at environmental factors such as climate, landforms, plants and animals that influenced the development of human civilizations across the globe.
For who is this book for ?
“Guns, Germs and Steel” is an outstanding book for anyone interested in history, society or how humans interact with their environment. It provides a lot of food for thought on why some civilizations have prospered while others have floundered.
Pros :
- Guns, Germs and Steel is a well-researched book that provides in-depth explanations about the factors that led to the success of certain civilizations.
- The author Jared Diamond has extensive knowledge on the topic and presents his arguments in an engaging and easy-to-follow manner.
- This book offers interesting insights into human history and helps to explain some of the disparities between different cultures.
Cons :
- It is dense and can be difficult to read
- It is long and may not hold the interest of some readers
- Some of Diamond’s conclusions are arguable
Learn more about the author
Jared Diamond is a professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has written extensively about human history and natural sciences, and is the author of several other books including The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal.
Reader Reviews
“Guns, Germs and Steel is an epic tale of human history”
“Guns, Germs and Steel is a brilliant piece of scholarship that askstough questions about the history of human civilizations. It’s also a compelling read.”
“Guns, Germs and Steel is an answer to the question of why some civilizations thrive while others crumble. Jared Diamond’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book is a fascinating exploration of history, geography and biology that offers compelling explanations for patterns of success and failure.”
“Guns, Germs and Steel is one of the most important books I have ever read – a brilliant synthesis of history, biology, ecology and geography that explains not just the stunning diversity of human cultures but why we are still struggling with famine, disease and poverty.”