Collapse

How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

By: Jared Diamond

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

In Jared Diamond’s follow-up to the Pulitzer-Prize winning Guns, Germs and Steel, the author explores how climate change, the population explosion, and political discord create the conditions for the collapse of civilization.

Environmental damage, climate change, globalization, rapid population growth, and unwise political choices were all factors in the demise of societies around the world, but some found solutions and persisted. As in Guns, Germs, and Steel, Diamond traces the fundamental pattern of catastrophe, and weaves an all-encompassing global thesis through a series of fascinating historical-cultural narratives. Collapse moves from the Polynesian cultures on Easter Island to the flourishing American civilizations of the Anasazi and the Maya and finally to the doomed Viking colony on Greenland. Similar problems face us today and have already brought disaster to Rwanda and Haiti, even as China and Australia are trying to cope in innovative ways. Despite our own society’s apparently inexhaustible wealth and unrivaled political power, ominous warning signs have begun to emerge even in ecologically robust areas like Montana.

Brilliant, illuminating, and immensely absorbing, Collapse is destined to take its place as one of the essential books of our time, raising the urgent question: How can our world best avoid committing ecological suicide?

©2014 Jared Diamond (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Narrator made this hard to follow.

Will get the paper version instead. Diamond has a brilliant offering here. Will get the book.

This book is very eye opening and understandable.

This is book is especially deep. It allows you to get a deep understanding of the world. I'm very satisfied with this book and it has become my favorite book that I have read. I would recommend this Audio from audible as well, to read along as you read. This book is great for anyone willing to input your time and energy into reading it. By the way I'm sixteen, so this book can be read by teenagers with great interest. Don't limit yourself. READ THIS BOOK.

Tim

Great book, and great narrator. I liked Collapse better than Guns Germs and Steel. I think Diamond had some very convincing arguments in Collapse and the topic of societal collapse by environmental degradation and resource depletion is more relevant to the modern reader. Great book, I've read it twice now. Bravo to the narrator, really enjoyed listening to him.

Its very good

I appreciate how thorough and in depth the author goes through why ancient civilizations have failed. Then going on to draw parallels to the modern world. Has given me much to think about. Loved it.

Logical Outlook

Finally a logical look at what causes societies to collapse. No doom and gloom or "everything's fine" but a detailed look at the causes of the collapses of numerous societies from ancient history to modern day. Jared Diamond is a voice of reason in the midst of voices tainted by emotion and self interest

Very Compelling Case

This book provides a very compelling wake-up call about the several threats to majority of mankind, beyond just rising temperatures.

Fantastic work by Jared Diamond. Must Read!

Jared Diamond is a must read for all Americans who are truly interested in understanding the world. His strength as a researcher and his ability as a great teller combines together to produce another masterpiece.

Jared Diamond has done it again

poor decision making disscussed is a chapter i will never forget...well done sir Jared Diamond

Would recommend

Any additional comments?

Really solid book overall and I would definitely recommend. Some sections seemed to drag a bit for me, probably a bit long overall. Thought the historical examples were excellent but found the editorializing a bit tedious. In most cases, the point was obvious and didn't need near the narrative dedicated to making sure you picked up on the obvious. Still liked quite a bit.

A really good book.

This is my favorite of the Jared Diamond books that I have read. His work that combines so many fields of science, anthropology, archaeology, biology, climatology, etc. is alway insightful.