tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467430172008806972.post6595224022219993992..comments2023-08-13T03:22:02.181-04:00Comments on unexpected moments: review: guns, germs and steelSherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355969043412582588noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467430172008806972.post-75672354405661712992013-06-28T08:48:34.259-04:002013-06-28T08:48:34.259-04:00Oh wow, seeing Diamond speak must have been intere...Oh wow, seeing Diamond speak must have been interesting. Do you remember the topic of his lecture?Sherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06355969043412582588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467430172008806972.post-43390146381872001762013-06-28T08:18:11.669-04:002013-06-28T08:18:11.669-04:00I read this book as an undergrad and have always b...I read this book as an undergrad and have always been a fan of his work and writing. When my husband was at UPenn, Diamond spoke to his class, so I tagged along and it was one of the most inspiring and simultaneously entertaining lectures I've ever attended.Sadiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14325203869605294768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467430172008806972.post-41437142946698370802013-06-19T22:11:35.420-04:002013-06-19T22:11:35.420-04:00I could definitely see where restating the argumen...I could definitely see where restating the argument wouldn't work in audio form. I found it really comforting, in that it reminded me how we were asked to structure our essays back when I was an undergrad but like you I found after the first five chapters or so, I could identify the argument before it was made and it was just the details to fill in. Probably the structure could have been loosened to take into account his target audience.<br /><br />I've never really gotten into podcasts, somehow. Spoken word just can't keep my attention (I'm flighty) but those ones sound interesting. Next time I'm loading up my iPod I'll keep it in mind.Sherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06355969043412582588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467430172008806972.post-91201393460719118342013-06-19T22:06:48.048-04:002013-06-19T22:06:48.048-04:00I've heard mixed reviews about Collapse, but i...I've heard mixed reviews about Collapse, but it sounds fascinating and I'm looking forward to picking it up.<br /><br />This has to be the most talked about book I'd ever read. I gave a five word description of it once at work and suddenly the whole lunch room was talking about how great it was.Sherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06355969043412582588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467430172008806972.post-7378012495431778282013-06-19T12:34:56.952-04:002013-06-19T12:34:56.952-04:00I listened to Guns, Germs and Steel while driving ...I listened to Guns, Germs and Steel while driving through Colorado and California. While I agree that the book has fascinating content and is well-written, I think the constant restating of the main argument did not work as well in audio form. Maybe it's just because I retain info well when I hear it, but I certainly developed a 'feeling' for his structure to a point where I could predict what he'd argue next and how he would work towards the conclusion of a chapter.<br /><br />Still, it provides good insights into the state of the world, and I like how its arguments align with my personal viewpoints :P I'd definitely consider listening to (or reading) Collapse as well. <br /><br />If you're into history, have you ever tried any podcasts by Dan Carlin? He has a series called 'Hardcore History', where he discusses events in a way that's cohesive and accessible, while still doing justice to their complexity. I particularly enjoyed his series on the Khans (you know, Genghis), but I have also heard good things about his series on the fall of the Roman Empire and the Battle of Stalingrad. He also has a couple of one-off episodes. One was about the treatment of children through the ages, which I thought was deeply fascinating. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467430172008806972.post-59207488618850192882013-06-19T09:45:28.012-04:002013-06-19T09:45:28.012-04:00Yes, this is one of the best books I have ever rea...Yes, this is one of the best books I have ever read, it was even encouraged in one of our classes (I think agriculture). It is really enlightening. He wrote a second book (Collapse, on why civilizations fall, and why) and I believe a new one has just been released. Mark still has to read it, but I think he will really enjoy it, he is really interested in politics, history, foreign affairs...Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02424374017675047414noreply@blogger.com