The stated goal of this work is to answer a seemingly simple question: “why did some societies become conquerors while others were conquered?” After listening to the audiobook, I can say that it involved a variety of factors, broadly boiled down to a single word: environment.
More specifically, environment consists of the availability of plants and animals for domestication, the development of agriculture (thereby sustaining a larger population that can absorb or overrun a smaller one), the diffusion of technology (including which societies accept and maintain said innovations), and disease (a powerful agent of change that arose from cohabitation with other animals and more humans).
Moreover, the author argues that Eurasia was particularly successful because of its large land mass, east-west orientation with relatively similar geographic features (thereby allowing the easier diffusion of the materials of society, from food to technology), and availability of plants and animals to domesticate.
Pros:
- The book is logically laid out, and provides a compelling argument for why the arc of history has bent the way that it has. I particularly appreciate the repudiation of the racist notion that Western Europe dominated the stage of history because it was “superior.”
- The book considers human history in a variety of ways, from the effects of animal husbandry and disease to the impact of technology and societal organization
Cons:
- The chapter markers in the audiobook are nonsensical.
- The author uses the term, “Indians,” to describe Native Americans
- Though the book is compelling as a result of the information it contains, it can still read like a textbook at times; I found the audiobook’s narrator did not help matters, as his delivery was understated to the point of being flat.
Conclusion:
Given the audiobook’s length (approximately 5 hours), I would say it was worth my time to listen. To me, this brevity was essential; it kept the book engaging without jettisoning academic rigor. Ultimately, I enjoyed Diamond’s work, even if it could be a bit dry at times.
Check it out here.
You may also enjoy…
- “Moonwalking With Einstein” by Joshua Foer
- “Astrophysics For People In A Hurry” by Neil deGrasse Tyson
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