World history · Anthropology
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Jared Diamond asks why some societies came to dominate others. He argues that geography, crops, domesticated animals and germs, rather than any difference in people, explain the uneven spread of power.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1997
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 658
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in Civilizations Rise and Fall
Read this if you enjoy broad, sweeping theories of human history built on geography and biology.
Skip this if you want nuance, since historians criticise its determinism.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about Guns, Germs, and Steel
- What is Guns, Germs, and Steel about?
- Jared Diamond asks why some societies came to dominate others. He argues that geography, crops, domesticated animals and germs, rather than any difference in people, explain the uneven spread of power.
- Who should read Guns, Germs, and Steel?
- Read it if you enjoy broad, sweeping theories of human history built on geography and biology. Skip it if you want nuance, since historians criticise its determinism.
- How long and how fast is Guns, Germs, and Steel?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 658 pages, first published in 1997.
- Does Guns, Germs, and Steel have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow Guns, Germs, and Steel for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Guns, Germs, and Steel; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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