Guns, Germs, and Steel

by SparkNotes

Scholar and professor Jared Diamond made a huge splash with this fascinating but controversial book, which argues that geography and environment have almost singlehandedly determined the course of human history. Dig deeper into his contentions with the information inside this invaluable reader's handbook:
Why did Europe colonize Africa and Asia rather than the other way around?
Why is geography the most important factor in human history?
How has the rest of the scientific community received Diamond's theory?

Genres: Collections, Science

72 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2003

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Reviews

[Joe Swingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished this monster! I can't believe how many other varied books he has out that I want to read too... this could take a while!

[C.B. Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, especially insights into smallpox introduction by Europeans into native populations. I enjoyed Collapse more.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever to smack racists around the head with. A brilliant study of human evolution and how lucky differences in geography thousands of years ago lead to huge differences in power today.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great explanation of the geographical diversity of the Earth's societal haves and have nots. This is my second half reading of this book, but it won't be my last.