Following his best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning Guns, Germs, and Steel (1997), Jared Diamond's companion book, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (2006, updated 2011), discusses how environmental abuse ruined many past societies and threatens civilizations today. Diamond identifies five major causes for cultural failures: human ecological impacts, climate changes, hostile neighbors, friendly neighbors who withdraw, and a society’s refusal to adapt. Through detailed examples, including the Anasazi, Maya, and Vikings, he highlights how some societies ignored environmental warnings and collapsed, while others adapted and survived. Modern parallels are drawn with contemporary nations like Rwanda, Haiti versus the Dominican Republic, China, and Australia, warning of similar dangers today and providing lessons for navigating environmental challenges effectively. The book includes a revised chapter on Angkor's rise and fall, photographs, an annotated bibliography, and an index. Includes discussion of war and mass violence.

Collapse by Jared Diamond receives acclaim for its in-depth analysis of societies and their downfalls due to environmental and political factors. Critics praise its thorough research and engaging narrative. However, some argue that Diamond's conclusions can seem deterministic and occasionally speculative. While the book is informative and thought-provoking, its dense passages may deter casual readers.

Collapse by Jared Diamond appeals to readers fascinated by environmental science, history, and anthropology. Fans of Guns, Germs, and Steel or Sapiens will appreciate Diamond's thorough analysis of societal failures. Ideal for those interested in understanding the complexities of human civilization and its vulnerabilities.

Various civilizations / Prehistoric to modern

Informative / Challenging / Mysterious / Dark / Contemplative

- In Collapse, Jared Diamond explores how societies have historically chosen various paths when faced with environmental crises, drawing parallels between past and present scenarios.
- The book gained significant attention and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, emphasizing its impact and the depth of its analysis on environmental and societal themes.
- Diamond's work in Collapse is considered a sequel to his earlier book Guns, Germs, and Steel, and continues to explore the factors that influence the rise and fall of civilizations.

**Jared Diamond**  
A UCLA professor, geologist, and anthropologist who combines his experiences with the World Wildlife Fund to explore the interactions between human societies and environmental degradation.

**Thomas Malthus**  
A philosopher who introduces the concept that population growth can outpace food production, leading to societal challenges that resonate with Diamond's themes.

Jared Diamond

Adult

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Civilizations Rise and Fall

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Study Guide

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Before You Read Collapse | SuperSummary

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Collapse Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Modern Montana”

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 1

Collapse Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Past Societies”

Part 2, Chapters 2-5

Collapse Part 2, Chapters 2-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 6-9

Collapse Part 2, Chapters 6-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Modern Societies:

Part 3, Chapters 10-13

Collapse Part 3, Chapters 10-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Practical Lessons”

Part 4, Chapter 14-Afterword

Collapse Part 4, Chapter 14-Afterword Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

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Index of Terms

Collapse Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

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