Book: Guns, germs and steel
Jul. 31st, 2003 10:50 pmAuthor: Jared Diamond
Details: (c) Jared Diamond 1997; Pub Vintage 1998; ISBN 0-09-930278-0
Verdict: Everything popular science should be; informative, readable, well-argued and rigorous
Reasons for reading it: Several reasons: I became a fan of Diamond from reading Why is sex fun? a while ago; it was recommended by several friends as well as various media; and I'm interested in its subject matter. I had in fact started reading my parents' copy, but this was while I was hanging around in hospital waiting rooms, so I didn't take much in and anyway didn't get past the first couple of chapters.
How it came into my hands: M lent it to me, after I'd mentioned the above reasons for wanting to read it, and also because it was relevant to some of the stuff we've been talking about.
( detailed review ) In short, highly recommended, despite a few minor flaws.
Details: (c) Jared Diamond 1997; Pub Vintage 1998; ISBN 0-09-930278-0
Verdict: Everything popular science should be; informative, readable, well-argued and rigorous
Reasons for reading it: Several reasons: I became a fan of Diamond from reading Why is sex fun? a while ago; it was recommended by several friends as well as various media; and I'm interested in its subject matter. I had in fact started reading my parents' copy, but this was while I was hanging around in hospital waiting rooms, so I didn't take much in and anyway didn't get past the first couple of chapters.
How it came into my hands: M lent it to me, after I'd mentioned the above reasons for wanting to read it, and also because it was relevant to some of the stuff we've been talking about.
( detailed review ) In short, highly recommended, despite a few minor flaws.
