Review by RYAN T. SCOTT
Interesting mostly as a historical artifact, since a number of discoveries in archaeology and genomics since the publication of this book have superseded some of hypotheses and conclusions drawn by the author about the development of human societies. He also places too much emphasis on geography as a contributing factor in the differential success of different civilizations, while largely ignoring the importance of differences in organizational technologies, such as religion, government, and their effects in the wider culture.