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Ratings62
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.
Now don't get me wrong. He's a great writer with an amazing grasp of the subject matter. But lawd, lawd, he could have utilized endnotes or footnotes a TAD more. Very long, very drawn out, overly detailed. I must admit, I had to skim through some of the end because my brain was leaking out my ears. I loved Guns Germs and Steel, but this lacks the thrill of that particular discovery. Anyway, a perfect textbook for this subject, but just, well, too much.