This will be a short post, because I know I’m going to end up reading this book again.
Despite owning the hard copy, the majority of my experience with Guns, Germs and Steel has been through the audiobook via Spotify. It’s the sort of non fiction book that you can take in chunks. In fact, you’ll need to take it in chunks, because there’s a lot to cover.
Namely, the entire history of civilization – or near enough.
Guns, Germs and Steel was a fascinating read, albeit a little dense at times.
The problem I have when listening to audiobooks is I often use it as an opportunity to multitask. I do not do the male stereotype any favours when it comes to multitasking, and Guns, Germs and Steel is brutally unforgiving to those with the occasional lapse of concentration.
So, I’ll be mopping the kitchen floor – my attention might lean too heavily into the extra stubborn tomato stain for a few seconds – and then – WHAM! Asexually reproductive hermaphroditic plants are the key to the farming revolution.
Oh. Ok then.
I’ll nod off for a few seconds on the sofa owing to, you know, the insane summer heatwave we’re having, and – BOOM! New Guineans using sharpened pencils as piercings.
Gotcha.
I’ll be reorganising my bookshelf – something I do about every eight minutes these days – and – POW! The story of the QUERTY keyboard configuration.
Jokes aside, this is a fascinating book. It reminds me of a Bill Bryson’s Body or A Short History of Nearly Everything in scope, albeit a bit denser in delivery.
It’s a tough recommendation after this first experience – I’ll make a call when I’ve read the bits I slept through.
