Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies

Jared Diamond

Jan 2011 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Doug Ordunio

About this audiobook

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.

Ratings and reviews

The content of the book is great. Not much theorizing or hypothesizing which can be refreshing. "Theoretical/Subjective Non-Fiction" seems to be a trending subject these days. Unfortunately Doug Ordunio was not the best choice for narration. The delivery is too flat, he narrates lines about genocide, world changing invocations, and life shattering events without appropriate/much of any feeling. Sorry Doug, just telling it how it is..

Nothing New. The bias of the author can be found behind alot of the ideas put forward. Many of these are based on cherry picked facts. Leaves out alot of historical evidence, which can generally be expected in a book covering such a massive time period. sub-par.

it's really Connects all the Reasons For Western domination of the world From agriculture to Language

About the author

Jared Diamond is a professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles. The recipient of numerous awards, he has published more than 200 articles in such prestigious magazines as Discover and Nature.

Doug Ordunio is a professional singer and narrator. He has performed with the Duke Ellington Band, the New York City Opera, and the Greek Theater Opera. His narrating credits include Crashing Through by Robert Kurson; Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond; and How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb.