content: Jared Diamond asks then answers the age old question, "Why are some societies more advanced then others." This in depth look into the question (well over 400 pages) goes back to pre-historic times to answer and Diamond spends 33 years of research to answer. Many of Diamonds arguments are valid. In my mind Jared Diamond is a genius who was not afraid to answer what many thought before was an unattainable answer to Yali's question of "Why do you white men have so much cargo and we New Guinieans have so little?" Many critics argue that his answers are too simple. But why can't life have simple answers sometimes. Why must we look too deep into things and believe that thiungs have to be bigger than what they are. I would encourage all to at least read this book. You may not agree with all of Diamonds points, but you will come out of it feeling as though some of it you will agree with.