Guns, Germs, and Steel

Saffron · Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:52 pm

I just bought a 2nd hand copy of this book today and plan to get started tonight. Anybody out there interested in discussing it every now and again?

Chris OConnor · Sun Nov 06, 2011 9:49 pm

If enough people want to discuss this book we can pull the old forum out of the archives and put it back in the Non-Fiction section for a few months. Email or PM me if you think the forum should be pulled out.

geo · Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:46 am

I have a copy on my shelf and I'd really like to read it. It might be a week or two before I can start.

LS Burton · Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:09 pm

It's not very often where a book comes along that really changes people's perceptions on the world, especially when it's answering a very simple question that nobody had thought to really ask until that point.

I've heard - and only heard from a non-reliable source; ie, some guy I know -that a few of his suppositions have proven incorrect. But, really, in my opinion, it's all debatable, and a truly awesome book.

DWill · Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:57 pm

I began the book a few months ago and think I got about halfway before I got distracted by other things. I like the book, but for me the author's style isn't the most enticing; he's kind of plodding and deliberate, which doesn't make for a page-turner. However, his conclusions seem carefully prepared and are valuable if valid. I'd like to finish the book, so if others are interested, let's go for it.

Chris OConnor · Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:45 pm

This thread is being moved into the "Guns, Germs and Steel" forum. That forum has been pulled out of the Archives and is now sitting right there out in the open ready for your enjoyment. Please make a post or two in the forum so people know who is planning on participating.

Chris OConnor · Wed Nov 09, 2011 4:08 pm

Bumping this up to the top.

All old threads from our discussion 9 years ago have been temporarily locked so they don't confuse the current discussion.

geo · Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:23 pm

I'm a bit overzealous at times. I don't see being able to read this for awhile. Sorry.

giselle · Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:39 pm

It's excellent that DWill is leading this discussion, thank you. I've ordered my book and meanwhile I've watched one of the three Nat Geo episodes. Thanks for the information on those, I think they serve as a good introduction to Jared Diamond's ideas. I'll be away for a couple weeks but I'll join the discussion when I return. And Geo maybe you can chime in here and there, like to hear your views.

DWill · Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:45 pm


	geo wrote: I'm a bit overzealous at times. I don't see being able to read this for awhile. Sorry.

What was it our moms told us--"your eyes are bigger than your stomach?'' I do that all the time, think I have the time for something when I don't. But maybe you'll have time to watch those videos on the book, at least.Hope to see you around.

DWill · Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:48 pm


	giselle wrote: I've ordered my book and meanwhile I've watched one of the three Nat Geo episodes. Thanks for the information on those, I think they serve as a good introduction to Jared Diamond's ideas. I'll be away for a couple weeks but I'll join the discussion when I return. And Geo maybe you can chime in here and there, like to hear your views.

Is that a gazelle, by the way, giselle? It sounds like a good idea to watch the videos as an appetizer and then see how far we can get into the main course.

Dexter · Sat Nov 12, 2011 1:59 pm


	DWill wrote: I began the book a few months ago and think I got about halfway before I got distracted by other things. I like the book, but for me the author's style isn't the most enticing; he's kind of plodding and deliberate, which doesn't make for a page-turner. However, his conclusions seem carefully prepared and are valuable if valid. I'd like to finish the book, so if others are interested, let's go for it.

I have a copy of the book, and I recall that I started it and never finished it. I'll give it another shot.

DWill · Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:49 pm

Cool. I'd never be one to dis a book--well, that's not exactly true, I would--but you might also try the Nat. Geo programs at documentary heaven. The book does condense well, I think.

giselle · Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:59 pm


	DWill wrote: Is that a gazelle,

Yup, I like things that rhyme.

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