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Rhiannon's Reviews > Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
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I have this awesome picture in my head in which Jared Diamond did not write this book. He instead wrote a detailed, engaging account of the history of plant and animal domestication.
"But Rhiannon," you might say, "doesn't that remove his entire thesis, that geography determined just about everything about the course of human civilization?"
And, I would respond yes, it does.
"And, isn't that kind of removing the whole book?"
No, I counter. It just removes the douche-y social Darwinist parts. Plus, if he weren't trying to prove an overarching point about the entirety of human history, readers wouldn't be subjected to his style of argument, which largely consists of applying only certain parts of his thesis at certain points (see his arguments regarding the lengths of human habitation of North American versus how those same arguments are applied regarding Africa), waving away pieces of evidence that would call his thesis into question, and neglecting to include any citations, instead relying on a "Further Reading" section. Removing all of this would leave the only parts really worth reading: the stuff about plant and animal domestication. Which was awesome.
"But Rhiannon," you might say, "doesn't that remove his entire thesis, that geography determined just about everything about the course of human civilization?"
And, I would respond yes, it does.
"And, isn't that kind of removing the whole book?"
No, I counter. It just removes the douche-y social Darwinist parts. Plus, if he weren't trying to prove an overarching point about the entirety of human history, readers wouldn't be subjected to his style of argument, which largely consists of applying only certain parts of his thesis at certain points (see his arguments regarding the lengths of human habitation of North American versus how those same arguments are applied regarding Africa), waving away pieces of evidence that would call his thesis into question, and neglecting to include any citations, instead relying on a "Further Reading" section. Removing all of this would leave the only parts really worth reading: the stuff about plant and animal domestication. Which was awesome.
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Reading Progress
May 7, 2008
– Shelved
Started Reading
May 14, 2008
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
May 14, 2008
–
Finished Reading
February 7, 2009
– Shelved as:
history
February 7, 2009
– Shelved as:
science
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Upon reflection (and studying anthropology) I realize that it was just as you say... the plant and animal domestication parts of the book really interested and excited me, and I geeked out over them and talked about them with loved ones and all... and now I'm realizing that those are the best parts, and the rest is speculative history by an author writing outside his field. More study is needed.
Jared Diamond offers credible evidence to back up his claims, as one book, and one theory, I don't think it can answer every question about the creation of civilizations, but it does a good job of giving a possible basis for which the whole system operates.Kris, not only did you miss the point of the book, but you missed the point of Rhiannon's review. No one's upset that Jared Diamond is white, and he himself says in his book that the book is his personal theory, and that further study is needed. You don't need to be so easily offended.
Really? I can't call him a "great White Man" but she can imply he's a douche-y social Darwinist?I stand by my opinion.
Thank you, that exactly what's been bugging me about this book. "Great White Man explains all"