Guns, Germs and Steel

The Fate of Human Societies

De: Jared Diamond

Narrado por: Doug Ordunio

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Guns, Germs and Steel examines the rise of civilization and the issues its development has raised throughout history.

Having done field work in New Guinea for more than 30 years, Jared Diamond presents the geographical and ecological factors that have shaped the modern world. From the viewpoint of an evolutionary biologist, he highlights the broadest movements both literal and conceptual on every continent since the Ice Age, and examines societal advances such as writing, religion, government, and technology. Diamond also dissects racial theories of global history, and the resulting work—Guns, Germs and Steel—is a major contribution to our understanding the evolution of human societies.

Reseñas de la Crítica

Artful, informative, and delightful.... There is nothing like a radically new angle of vision for bringing out unsuspected dimensions of a subject, and that is what Jared Diamond has done.—William H. McNeil, New York Review of Books

An ambitious, highly important book.—James Shreeve, New York Times Book Review

A book of remarkable scope, a history of the world in less than 500 pages which succeeds admirably, where so many others have failed, in analyzing some of the basic workings of culture process.... One of the most important and readable works on the human past published in recent years.—Colin Renfrew, Nature

The scope and the explanatory power of this book are astounding.—The New Yorker

No scientist brings more experience from the laboratory and field, none thinks more deeply about social issues or addresses them with greater clarity, than Jared Diamond as illustrated by Guns, Germs, and Steel. In this remarkably readable book he shows how history and biology can enrich one another to produce a deeper understanding of the human condition. —Edward O. Wilson, Pellegrino University Professor, Harvard University

Serious, groundbreaking biological studies of human history only seem to come along once every generation or so. . . . Now [Guns, Germs, and Steel] must be added to their select number. . . . Diamond meshes technological mastery with historical sweep, anecdotal delight with broad conceptual vision, and command of sources with creative leaps. No finer work of its kind has been published this year, or for many past. —Martin Sieff, Washington Times

[Diamond] is broadly erudite, writes in a style that pleasantly expresses scientific concepts in vernacular American English, and deals almost exclusively in questions that should interest everyone concerned about how humanity has developed. . . . [He] has done us all a great favor by supplying a rock-solid alternative to the racist answer. . . . A wonderfully interesting book.—Alfred W. Crosby, Los Angeles Times

An epochal work. Diamond has written a summary of human history that can be accounted, for the time being, as Darwinian in its authority.—Thomas M. Disch, The New Leader

Thousands of years to digest in 8 hours

Would you try another book from Jared Diamond and/or Doug Ordunio?

An awful lot of research went in to the writing of this book and equally the amount of focus to narrate. I don't think the audible version is the best for me. I've been comparing notes w/my husband who is away in Central America currently. I'm joining him in a couple weeks. He has both the hard copy & Kindle version. I'm looking forward to reviewing both to have a better grasp on the story,

What other book might you compare Guns, Germs and Steel to and why?

I feel unqualified to answer this question. I've stepped outside my comfort zone w/this book. I'm very attracted to Historical Fictions that bring history alive & put flesh, blood & emotions to characters instead of stating & correlating facts.

Have you listened to any of Doug Ordunio’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'm a newbie to Audible. I currently live on a small Caribbean island w/few resources. This is a wonderful tool for research & reading entertainment for me. Formerly, when I lived & worked in the US, I was highly addicted to audio tapes. My stepchildren in England are continuing that lifestyle, listening at home, work, driving. I feel Mr. Ordunio's performance was admirable for the continued drive & focus it must have taken to produce this narration, however, this could probably be due to the fact he enjoys relaying such books to his audience. We all strive to excel at something. I would have been miserable to ever undertake such a task, so hats off to Mr. Ordunio's talent!

Do you think Guns, Germs and Steel needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It's hard to imagine anything was left out, but considering 1,000s of yrs, yes there could be a follow up. If so, I'd break the different aspects into smaller versions..

Any additional comments?

Considering the massive amount of research compiled to write this book, it was extremely well outlined.

Bloody wonderful!

What did you love best about Guns, Germs and Steel?

Jared Diamond is amazing. He takes highly complex issues and describes them with prose that imply simplicity and dignity. He makes complex and difficult social issues understandable to people like me.

What other book might you compare Guns, Germs and Steel to and why?

I purchased this audio book based on an Audible recommendation. I subsequently purchased all other works he has authored on Amazon.

Which character – as performed by Doug Ordunio – was your favorite?

The narration is neutral. That is how it should be.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

NAT GEO already did. The tag line from that should be: READ THE BOOK!

Any additional comments?

He simplifies complex scientific thinking without diluting the important facts.

Compelling information everyone needs to read

I read the book in chapters as there is a wealth of information to take in. There is so much to consume and ponder that I continue to read the book after several years.

Snoozefest lecture format

many people say this is such an amazing and fascinating book, but I'm struggling to pay attention. the reader voice is sheep counting inducing, and the subject matter is cited mostly. I used this to fall asleep to.

Loved it

Interesting and enlightening content, with excellent narration. I usually listen to these kinds of books when I'm walking to work, and I looked forward to this every day. A must-have if you like history!