this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2023
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Guns, Germs and Steel. Still making my way through it as it can get a little dry but talks about how environment and subsequently food production capacity shaped different populations that spread across the planet and how that translates into the modern world.
My Introduction to Business professor recommended me this book to me a few years ago, but I haven't gotten around to reading it. I've also read some criticism about the ideas in the book. Do you think it's still worth reading?
I'm not at the halfway point yet but I think so if you're interested in the minute details. The book starts of by saying it is not a racist treatise and so far has stuck to that. It is over 2 decades old so I'm sure some of the conclusions accepted at the time may have changed drastically since. I've heard of some criticisms of it but nothing really damning from what I can tell.
Either way, I think it's worth the read if you are interested in pop anthropology/archeology in a fairly accessible book. Even if the overall explanation may seem reductive or misguided to some.
I see. I'll read it once my library hold on it gets released. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Just be aware that actual historians have major objections to the accuracy and assumptions of it. It's a fun read, but it isn't really a scholarly work
Yeah, I don't take it to be more than one guy's musings and theories based on his own research.