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A slog I gave this book 3 stars because I found the topic interesting but like others agree that Mr. Diamond is in need of a good editor. He lays out his framework of five factors that lead to collapse: environmental damage, climate change, hostile neighbors, decreased support by friendly neighbors, and societal response to its problems. The remainder of the book cites examples of societies that have failed and relates them to the five factors. Unfortunately, a great deal of the text is also descriptions of the methods by which modern historians have reached their conclusions. I found myself quickly skimming over much of the material to get to the "meat" (at least for me) of the story of each civilization. What started as an interesting topic became a slog. The meat never really came as all of the societies studied were small and isolated. I was hoping, as were many others, to hear Mr. Diamond's assessment of Rome, China, etc. Instead I got Montana and Easter Island.