Over the years I have read many books on science and/or history, some good, some not so good.  GG&S ranks a one of the best and, for me, is a true classic.  The author, Jared Diamond, is a first class writer and his text is extremely easy to follow even though he covers some highly complex concepts.  As in his other books, Diamond's style is like taking a class in anthropology or sociology, only with out the mid-term finals.  GG&S was a best seller and winner of many awards for science books; Aventis, Phi Beta Kappa and Pulitzer.  All this attention did not prevent it from being controversial and, to this day, subject to intense debate among his peers in the scientific community.  In GG&S you will read one mans interpretation and conclusions that may, or may not, differ from another writers point of view.  We, as the interested layperson, can only benefit from this sort of exchange.  Published over 15 years ago many of Diamond's conclusions may have changed, even for him, or possibly been overturned but his basic idea is still valid. (This edition includes a 2003 Afterword by Diamond: "G,G,&S Today" that addresses many of these issues) Prior to about 40 thousand years ago all humans were stone-age hunter-gatherers that lived in isolated bands or family groups that probably viewed all strangers with suspicion.  What happened to change that simple beginning into the highly disparate societies that we have today?  How is it that some groups seem to have so many advantages of modern life while others are still living as hunter-gatherers?  But, whatever social system they are living under,  people are basically the same.  Australian Aborigines are just as intelligent and capable of coherent thought as any upper-class European, they only differ in their environmental life style.  Racial differences do not play a part in who are the "haves" and who are the "have-nots".  So, if race is not a factor, what is?  Concepts like; continental axis orientation, geographical diffusion, domestication potential of plants and animals all help to clarify the issue. The development of agriculture led to a more settled life style and the beginning of complex societies.  Domestication of animals for work or food resulted in exposure to new germs and, in some cases, immunity to certain diseases that were specific to the region of origin.  The list goes on; pottery making, metallurgy, exploitation of maritime resources and trade options.  All these factors, and more, have contributed to who, and when, will be the first to develop the guns, germs, and steel needed for their enterprising ventures into exploration and conquest.  While I had no technical problems with this Kindle edition there are some "publisher omissions" that are unfortunate.  Missing are the photo portraits of people from around the world as well as many of the maps and, lastly, the index.  You would think that a high caliber publisher like W.W. Norton would put a little more effort and care into their e-reader releases.