Ratings51
Average rating3.9
If only Mr. Diamond would stop writing every chapter like a formulaic college essay, this would merit 4 or even 5 stars, because the subject matter is in no way uninteresting. Sadly, he tells you what he's going to tell you, then tells you, and then recaps it for you. It makes me want to cry.
The author puts forth a great deal of data (again and again and again). This book could have been half its current length and still put forth the author's ideas. I found this book informative, but very dry and not able to keep my attention.
The book explores the rise/fall of a bunch of different societies. I found most interesting the bits about the people on Easter Island and the Norse in Greenland. Took me a fair while (2 weeks) to get through this one, a bit of a long read.