Guns, Germs, and Steel
#36 of 644 all-time
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Jared Diamond
21 people recommended it in 8 threads, 2007–2024.
5 commenters pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
The idea that external factors like geographical starting conditions can have a huge impact and shape things as complex as human culture is a powerful one, regardless of the conclusions drawn in the book.
Civilizations' success can be considered a function of base resources (edible grains, farmland, metals).
If you want a good view of the matter, please read Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond.
So many types of thinking and areas of science that I wasn't aware of. Not every part of it has to be correct for it to be incredibly interesting.
I have a soft spot for food so especially loved the caloric analysis (the sweet potato was a game changer, IIRC).
I'm continually evaluating how much things are a result of my own work vs just a byproduct of the environment I'm in.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 12 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Book Recommendations? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books? I'm bored 2014 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2013? 2013 · 1 recommendation
- Ask YC: favorite books 2007 · 1 recommendation