Collapse (Jared Diamond, 2004)

Guns Germs and Steel was and remains one of my favorite books of any genre. However, most of Jared Diamond's other books have failed to excite me enough to pick them up. This one was different in that I was intrigued, but I kept putting off reading for years for no good reason.

Although it's sometimes considered a sequel to Guns, Collapse is quite different. It tends to be more focused on certain areas of the Earth as case studies and the "overall" application is considerably more muted than its famous predecessor. While Diamond's organization of lists of reasons for things being what they are are interesting and sure to provoke discussion, they aren't quite as mind-blowing as some of the ideas he brought to the table in Guns. Also, Collapse is a lot more of a polemic work, with lots of criticism heaped on just about everybody, much of it with very good reason. I think it's important that he brings these concerns to light, but those expecting more of the same from his earlier book may find the tone a little too preachy.

If you read Guns and you liked it (4.5 or 5 stars) you should find Collapse worthwhile, though maybe a shade or too less intriguing. Just don't go into it expecting a sequel. This is a standalone work.