Tags
books, Jared Diamond, postaday2012, racism, reactions, Reading, writing
The last book that I read that really moved me on many levels is "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. His fundamental argument is that human civilization and its development can be traced to the availability of resources or lack thereof. We humans globally owe our success' and/or failures, primarily on the bounty of our primordial environment, not primarily on our "racial" superiority. This is very well explained when you examine why the New World was conquered by the Old World and not vice a versa, the Old World was host to the Fertile Crescent, a bountiful oasis that gave rise to food production and then specialized trades, the New World on the other hand was lacking in many of the nutritional staples and thus were unable to succeed in complex food production hence hindering their access to specialized trades of any kind. In their world there simply was no time beyond hunting and gathering to allocate men or talents to other ventures. Building on my vastly over-simplified synopsis throughout the entire book,there are examples and theories built upon evidence that led me to find that Diamond's thesis crushes any justification for imperialism whatsoever. It made me very happy to read this book because despite the fact that the U.S elected its first African-American President, there resides a racism that is both overt and latent and both forms derive their justification in inaccurate "theories" that Mr. Diamond brilliantly tramples and dismisses. I highly recommend the book.
laurieanichols 
I have to admit that this is not a book I would normally want to read but to see the viewpoint as you have described makes me curious. Yes having the first African American president is here, now how about a Female First President?!!
I’ll vote for you!
Quick: Tis the Season for Awards given: http://postadaychallenge2011.com/2012/12/08/tis-the-season-for-awards-2012/
You have two Stars now. ♥
You are too kind sweetie. Thank you so much.
Dans un genre totalement différent, un livre que toutes les femmes devraient lire : “Lire Lolita à Téhéran” de AZAR NAFISI. Il a été écrit en anglais, cette iranienne habite maintenant aux Etats Unis et travaille probablement comme prof dans une faculté, tu devrais pouvoir le trouver facilement (sinon dis le moi et je pourrais t’envoyer la version française).
C’est très éclairant sur la situation terrible des femmes (et des hommes aussi …) en Iran et en même temps une vision tout à fait diiférente sur Nabokov, Fitzgérald, Henry James et Jane Austen (elle est prof de littérature).
J’en fais beaucoup la publicité autour de moi ces temps-ci car j’ai eu du mal à l’oublier une fois refermé.
Bises de tous.
Merci pour une tres bonne recommendation, je vais maitre ce liver sur ma liste des choses que je voudrais pour Noel :). Je te fais un tres gros bisous. A bientot
Grosses Bises
Laurie