Not as much fun as Guns, Germs & Steel. Possibly because that was about why certain societies rose to prominence and this one is about why others collapsed – and why the whole world is in danger. The individual sections were educational, but a couple of them (Easter Island and Montana come to mind) tended to drag a little. Overall, though, a very interesting book.

Slow going- the author spends the first 20-some pages explaining why it’s OK for him to write this book, even if YOU don’t think so. His gloss on contemporary Montana is just that; a gloss. Here’s hoping the Vikings will be more entertaining.