A Review of Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared M. Diamond

Introduction

"Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond is a non-fiction historical book published in 1997, comprising roughly 480 pages. In "Guns, Germs, and Steel," Diamond takes us on a journey exploring how societies were built. He stresses that the most important factors in building a society are material factors and how they come into play. He emphasizes that the surroundings and environmental differences are the main reasons some countries developed more quickly than others. Through the book, he illustrates how some countries were predisposed to be more successful simply due to their access to more developed natural resources.

Theme Analysis: Race vs. Environment

The theme I derived from this book is "Race vs. Environment." This theme emerges when discussing why some continents are more advanced than others. It could be perceived as people from a more developed continent traveling to another and finding others there, with the more technologically advanced group ultimately conquering another group, thus turning it into a survival of the fittest scenario. This dynamic led to racial tensions, when in reality, it might have been geographical advantages that allowed certain continents to develop more rapidly. From this, I believe Jared Diamond's main goal in writing this book is for readers to understand that race or intelligence might not be the reasons some places are more advanced. Instead, geographical differences, food production, animal domestication, immunity and germs, as well as the development of guns and steel, are the factors that have led some countries to be more materially successful.

"History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples' environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves" (Diamond, 1997, p. 25).

Development of Societies

Diamond begins chapter one by discussing how societies became more stable once they transitioned from a hunting and gathering mindset to growing crops and raising domesticated animals. As the chapter progresses, he illustrates the development of various labor groups and ruling parties. From the formation of labor groups, populations began to thrive, leading to the establishment of empires. To aid understanding for visual learners like me, Diamond includes maps in the book, showing the spread of human populations worldwide, complete with time spans. He also provides a visual of the factors underlying the broadest patterns of history, which I find beneficial.

Geographical Advantages of Eurasia

As we delve further into the book, Diamond explores the continent of Eurasia and discusses how it may have had an upper hand compared to other continents due to its access to natural resources. These resources included animals already domesticated in that area and naturally growing plants and crops, which provided essential needs. From these resources, they could build rapidly, producing clothing from flax and cotton plants, and using animals for warmth, food, wool, and leather. This advantage is illustrated when Diamond states, "Hence the availability of domestic plants and animals ultimately explains why empires, literacy, and steel weapons developed earlier in Eurasia and later, or not at all, on other continents" (Diamond, 1997, p. 92).

In comparison, continents like the Americas faced challenges due to differing climates. Plants that thrived in warmer areas wouldn't grow in tropical environments, complicating trade and development. However, over time, people began to exchange ideas and trade became more prevalent, facilitating mutual growth and development.

The Role of Germs and Diseases

Furthermore, Diamond explains how access to animals and plants also introduced diseases that could quickly decimate populations. Germs and diseases spread through human consumption of these animals, and as populations expanded and traded, so did the diseases, leading to plagues that eradicated entire populations. Germs, as highlighted in the book's title, were a primary cause of population decline, compounded by wars involving guns and steel when certain continents conquered others.

Conclusion

In my opinion, throughout the book, Diamond effectively argues his point that some continents developed faster due to their natural resources. I believe his theory that these are the reasons some continents are more developed because not every continent started on equal footing. Some continents' proximity to the equator influenced their rate of development, making it plausible that development was slower in some areas.

Overall, "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared M. Diamond is not a difficult read, but I feel the book could benefit from additional support for more complex terms. Including definitions and more visuals could enhance understanding. I would recommend this book primarily to experts in the field. For students and laypeople, analyzing the book's content and terms can be challenging, whereas experts might already grasp the concepts discussed.