Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Not really on the paleo side, but anyone read any of his stuff. Seems like it applies on some level to the paleo thang, going to order some books on amazon and wondering if anyone had recommendations.

edited Jul 28 2011 at 15:04

Adam Crafter
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asked Jan 24 2011 at 20:16

ReformedVEGAN
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This is not going to make me popular amongst PaleoHackers but here it is: skip "Guns, Germs and Steel" and instead read "When Histories Collide: The Development and Impact of Individualistic Capitalism" by Raymond Crotty. – Patrik♦ Jan 25 2011 at 1:07

Couldn't agree more. "Guns, Germs and Steel" is so repetitive it's almost nauseating. There are only so many times I could read "here's my theory and subsequent conclusion ... again (in case you missed it the first 10 times)". – Psynix Jan 25 2011 at 1:35

gone2croatan · Answer 1 · 2011-01-24 20:23:50Z UTC

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Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse are both excellent and became quite popular for a reason.

Check out his awesome, very inadvertently paleo article for free: The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race. (Hint: it's agriculture!)

answered Jan 24 2011 at 20:23

gone2croatan
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I'll agree with you on GGS. Collapse is good too. Warning to the poster, Diamond's writing can be very dry and tedious :) – baconbitch Jul 28 2011 at 15:21

kenp · Answer 2 · 2011-01-25 06:06:31Z UTC

And while we're propping books here, besides the 3 Diamond books mentioned (all good IMHO), for a more philosophical approach to a similar theme are the books Ishmael and The Story of B by Daniel Quinn. Much more of a metaphorical/philosophical look at the "fall of man" into agriculture through fiction.

Pieter D · Answer 3 · 2011-01-24 20:27:32Z UTC

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Besides the books that Cynarin advises, his other book 'The Third Chimpanzee' is also a very good read. Especially with your paleo goggles on...

answered Jan 24 2011 at 20:27

Pieter D
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I added a new tag 'paleo-goggles' for "here is something to read with the paleo viewpoint, you will likely have a deeper understanding if you do" – Adam Crafter Jan 25 2011 at 13:12

ok, fine with me! – Pieter D Jan 25 2011 at 14:47

Made it into a question. – Adam Crafter Jan 25 2011 at 17:10

wheelhouse · Answer 4 · 2011-01-24 20:40:04Z UTC

I thought you were talking about this Jared diamond - http://www.jared.com - and I thought this was an odd place for the subject . HAHAHA. Good thing I looked it up first, Google is my friend. I had not heard of Jared Diamond, author, before, but his works look very interesting. I will have to pick up a couple of those titles.

Todd · Answer 5 · 2011-01-24 20:59:54Z UTC

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I own 3 of his books; The Third Chimpanzee, Guns Germs and Steel, and Collapse. I would recommend all of them.

answered Jan 24 2011 at 20:59

Todd
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Tim Rangitsch · Answer 6 · 2011-01-24 23:28:42Z UTC

While you are ordering books, check out "Imagining Head Smashed In". Not Jared Diamond, but certainly Paleo information to be had. You can also download that book as s free PDF. I liked "Guns, Germs, Steel" and Jared Diamond's work is legit stuff we can incorporate into our "paloe framework".

P3christopher · Answer 7 · 2011-01-25 13:39:26Z UTC

I read his three most popular books and recommend them all. The fact that he is so popular and yet generates dissent is indicative of the thought provoking nature of his work.

I think a paleo enthusiast will benefit most from "The Third Chimpanzee" followed by "Gun Germs and Steel".

I have also downloaded many podcast interviews from iTunes with Professor Diamonds lectures. They are worth a listen.

Carl · Answer 8 · 2011-01-24 20:50:53Z UTC

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Guns Germs and steel is a really great book.

answered Jan 24 2011 at 20:50

Carl
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JRM · Answer 9 · 2011-01-25 06:43:53Z UTC

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Jared Diamond has political biases and leads his readers away from conclusions which run contrary to his politics.

answered Jan 25 2011 at 6:43

JRM
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	Agreed. He has considerable selection bias. – Domer88 Jan 25 2011 at 21:23
	-1, ad hominem with nothing to back up the claims. – Wisper Oct 1 at 11:52

office space Torrance · Answer 10 · 2012-10-08 11:51:24Z UTC

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It is really beneficial and rewarding for me to come across such a website that is full of relevant information that I needed.

answered Oct 8 at 11:51

office space Torrance
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Have you read the works of Jared Diamond???

10 Answers