The bestselling author of Collapse and Guns; Germs and Steel surveys the history of human societies to answer the question: What can we learn from traditional societies that can make the world a better place for all of us?“As he did in his Pulitzer Prize-winning Guns; Germs; and Steel; Jared Diamond continues to make us think with his mesmerizing and absorbing new book." BookpageMost of us take for granted the features of our modern society; from air travel and telecommunications to literacy and obesity. Yet for nearly all of its six million years of existence; human society had none of these things. While the gulf that divides us from our primitive ancestors may seem unbridgeably wide; we can glimpse much of our former lifestyle in those largely traditional societies still or recently in existence. Societies like those of the New Guinea Highlanders remind us that it was only yesterday—in evolutionary time—when everything changed and that we moderns still possess bodies and social practices often better adapted to traditional than to modern conditions.The World Until Yesterday provides a mesmerizing firsthand picture of the human past as it had been for millions of years—a past that has mostly vanished—and considers what the differences between that past and our present mean for our lives today.This is Jared Diamond’s most personal book to date; as he draws extensively from his decades of field work in the Pacific islands; as well as evidence from Inuit; Amazonian Indians; Kalahari San people; and others. Diamond doesn’t romanticize traditional societies—after all; we are shocked by some of their practices—but he finds that their solutions to universal human problems such as child rearing; elder care; dispute resolution; risk; and physical fitness have much to teach us. Provocative; enlightening; and entertaining; The World Until Yesterday is an essential and fascinating read.
#191632 in Books James R Barrett 2013-02-26 2013-02-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.38 x .83 x 5.50l; .69 #File Name: 0143122800400 pagesThe Irish Way Becoming American in the Multiethnic City
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. What I Didn't Know About My Fellow IrishBy P. Lynn KearneyIn the '50's; I grew up in the West in a family dominated by the Irish side; in a parish dominated by Irish clergy and in a community in which many Irish (my father included) still worked for the railroads. I never knew the prejudice faced by the Irish who peopled The Irish Way. I never knew how the Irish sometimes fought with and demeaned other ethnic groups. I never thought about the importance of the Irish in unions and public service. I never realized that educating Irish daughters (as I was) was a long tradition as was teaching (which I did for 43 years) and nursing. I never realized how the Irish infiltrated the entertainment industry nor did I realize how ubiquitous was the Irish politician. As Professor Barrett says; the farther west the Irish went; the better it got. I would love to see him write a history of the Irish in the West.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Easy to Read; Gives Great Historic PerspectiveBy davebresExtremely well-written; with great references to sources. This book does a great job of giving historic perspective to the impact the Irish have made in America; and particularly the impact they made on other immigrants for other countries.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Irish historyBy CustomerWell written; well balanced; and thoughtful; James Barrett's book tells us not only what was happening but why. The social forces surrounding the immigration experience transcend the Irish experience; though for various reasons the Irish experience is unique. This is a must read for anyone interested in Irish history; immigration history; or labor history.
