Scan barcode
loujoseph's review
3.0
Reading this felt like sitting through the longest TED talk ever. Seemed like the author was aware of his long-windedness but just said "fuck it" and kept on going. I have a new-found appreciation of editors, as whole sections of this book could have been eliminated and the point of the book (which I was into) would not have been lost or lest nuanced. I heard right after I finished this that the audiobook of this was abridged- if you're thinking of reading this, maybe just go for the audiobook instead...
nicoleswanson's review against another edition
3.5
While the information contained in this book is fantastic, there’s something about the delivery which made it a slog.
There’s no doubt that the author did impeccably thorough research and presented it in an understandable format. But it’s about as digestible for me as a block of wood. Maybe it’s the run on sentences full of dates which leave my head spinning, or the many lists. When terminology like “an assortment of household artifacts were uncovered” he instead lists a dozen different items. Thorough, but perhaps too much so for me.
I will probably read more of his books, because he’s good and thorough and they’re usually on important topics. But I’ll steel myself to do so incredibly slowly, a chapter here and there while having other books on hand for lighter entertainment.
There’s no doubt that the author did impeccably thorough research and presented it in an understandable format. But it’s about as digestible for me as a block of wood. Maybe it’s the run on sentences full of dates which leave my head spinning, or the many lists. When terminology like “an assortment of household artifacts were uncovered” he instead lists a dozen different items. Thorough, but perhaps too much so for me.
I will probably read more of his books, because he’s good and thorough and they’re usually on important topics. But I’ll steel myself to do so incredibly slowly, a chapter here and there while having other books on hand for lighter entertainment.
isantelli5764's review
The book was more interested in diatribes about obscure natural history than answering the core question of the book. The section on Easter island specifically was quite boring, disappointing, and non applicable.
If you like natural history though I’m sure you’d find this fascinating.
If you like natural history though I’m sure you’d find this fascinating.
shu_long's review
5.0
This should be required reading for anyone holding public office. The issues of today are complex, long term and go far beyond one set of societal mores or one countries success. Diamond is a clear voice for scientific studies and human compassion towards those on both sides of the issue. He neither offers hate full rhetoric nor riddles his work with excuses. This is a book that policy writers and common people can rally around as a basis of discussion and thoughtful, top down and bottom up action.
sozh's review
4.0
Cool book. 1. You can learn about some interesting cultures like the Vikings, Easter Islanders, and Montanans. 2. You can learn how past societies collapsed/failed.
I was expecting war, disease, corruption -- dramatic stuff -- it turns out environmental impacts were really devastating according to Diamond. Not so dramatic, but still pretty scary. He also draws lessons from the collapse of past societies to current times. I think he has a really good perspective on things.
This is my 3rd book by Jared Diamond -- his writing style is pretty straightforward. It's quite thorough and simply organized. But the info is compelling, so overall the book is readable.
I was expecting war, disease, corruption -- dramatic stuff -- it turns out environmental impacts were really devastating according to Diamond. Not so dramatic, but still pretty scary. He also draws lessons from the collapse of past societies to current times. I think he has a really good perspective on things.
This is my 3rd book by Jared Diamond -- his writing style is pretty straightforward. It's quite thorough and simply organized. But the info is compelling, so overall the book is readable.
yates9's review
5.0
A great book which however should be evaluated critically. Unfortunately the comparative history of civilisations is an area in which few others look, so Diamond ends up being the one key reference and taken as an absolute.
It is a must read but then also one must seek critical reviews as in many areas this book suggests a more idealist pessimistic view of sustainable civilisation than the other many historical examples that counter this.
It is a must read but then also one must seek critical reviews as in many areas this book suggests a more idealist pessimistic view of sustainable civilisation than the other many historical examples that counter this.
montalpn's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Diamond does an excellent job avoiding the geographic determinism that is the main flaw in his more popular Guns, Germs, and Steel work. I also appreciate his cautious optimism, which makes the lesson seem less of a prophetic doomsday and more of an advocation to change. The only thing I’d like to see more explored is the political aspects of societal collapse, which can and do vary.
miss_blackbird's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading about past societies, their environmental issues and the choices they made.
However, the section on our current environmental difficulties and problems, and possible solutions, was a bit dry. Just a list of things to consider. Bit of a shame, since that's the part the book is working towards.
Would be interesting to have a reflection on the current situation from JD, since the book was written in 2005.
However, the section on our current environmental difficulties and problems, and possible solutions, was a bit dry. Just a list of things to consider. Bit of a shame, since that's the part the book is working towards.
Would be interesting to have a reflection on the current situation from JD, since the book was written in 2005.