have read diamond book and i be slightly disappoint in the series and but all in all and it be quite informative . read the other comment and it be comfort to know that the culture warrior be hard at work and see attack on western civilization under every rug . be diamond a little preachy . sure . like a lot of academic and he see his theory a the most important thing ever . he use the phrase gun and germ and and steel at seemingly every opportunity during the series . we get it and after about the first 10 minute . be diamond a little simplistic ( in the series ) . sure . the part about the spaniard in south america be particularly amusing and condense some very long and complicated history down to mallpox and sword and and horse and wrap up the whole conquest of south america in about 15 minute . but the point remain valid these thing do in fact contribute ( but not totally define ) the reason for the spaniard success against the established culture . be he preach against western civilization in any way . nope . not a word . not to my ear . all he say be that luck play a large part in determine which culture advance more quickly and not that luck be the only reason . in the end and if youre look for something that validate your own sense of superiority and then this series be not for you . but if you be interested in all of the factor than influence how society succeed or fail and this series present a useful interpretation of the historical evidence .