Upheaval

How Nations Cope with Crisis and Change

Jared Diamond author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:14th May '20

Should be back in stock very soon

Upheaval cover

Jared Diamond's Upheaval explores how nations cope with crises and the factors that contribute to their resilience, offering valuable insights for our times.

In Upheaval, author Jared Diamond takes readers on a compelling journey through the resilience of nations in the face of crises. Drawing from his extensive research and expertise, Diamond examines the experiences of six distinct countries—Finland, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Germany, and Australia—that have navigated significant challenges throughout their histories. By analyzing their responses to disasters, he uncovers patterns that reveal what enables some nations to recover and thrive, while others struggle to rebound. The book serves as a crucial exploration of the factors that contribute to national resilience, providing insights that could be beneficial in addressing contemporary global issues.

As Diamond delves into the past, he also offers a thought-provoking look at the present and future. He raises concerns about the trajectory of countries like the United States, suggesting that they may be heading towards their own crises if they do not learn from the successes and failures of others. The narrative is not just historical; it is infused with psychological insights that enhance the understanding of human behavior in times of upheaval. Upheaval is not only a study of nations but also a reflection on the human condition, making it a deeply personal work for the author.

In this timely book, Diamond provides a rich tapestry of history, geography, and anthropology, presenting vital lessons for our current era. With endorsements from prominent figures like Bill Gates and Steven Pinker, Upheaval is positioned as an essential read for anyone interested in the dynamics of resilience and recovery in the face of adversity.

Fascinating... I'm a big fan of everything Jared has written, and his latest is no exception. ... I finished the book even more optimistic about our ability to solve problems than I started. -- Bill Gates, Summer Reading Recommendations 2019
Upheaval is bold, wide-ranging and original ... probes large and important questions. Unlike most social scientists, Diamond can write invigorating prose that carries the reader along with its sweep ... It deserves to be widely read and pondered. -- Vernon Bogdanor * The Sunday Telegraph *
A riveting and illuminating tour of how nations deal with crises-which might hopefully help humanity as a whole deal with our present global crisis. -- Yuval Noah Harari, author of 'Sapiens' and '21 Lessons for the 21st Century'
Jared Diamond is an undisputed global star of comparative history... Britain could learn from this book about how other nations have dealt with turmoil... He finds intellectually stimulating and unusual examples that provide much food for thought. -- Andrew Marr * The Times *
Diamond writes so well, and his frame of reference (across disciplines and languages) is so considerable, that almost everything he describes comes across as fresh. -- Douglas Murray * The Evening Standard *
[Diamond] wears the mantle of a modern-day prophet . . . opens textures of historical possibility. Only the most obtuse reader of his latest book, on national resilience, could miss the signs and portents with which it is studded ... The prophet spares us chiselled commandments, but we have been warned. -- Colin Kidd, Book of the Day * The Guardian *
Fascinating globe-hopping study * The Telegraph *
As a meditation about a world on edge, it is well worth reading * The Economist *
Persuasive . . . runs refreshingly counter to conventional wisdom * Bloomberg *
Jared Diamond does it again: another rich, original, and fascinating chapter in the human saga-with vital lessons for our difficult times. -- Steven Pinker, author of 'Enlightenment Now'
Upheaval is a brilliant, gripping, personal account of nations in crisis, informed by how people respond to crisis. It's an especially timely read today, when nations are stressed and have much to learn about how to survive big challenges. I urge you to read it. -- Paul Ehrlich, author of 'Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic'
In Upheaval, I find eye-opening lessons about the political and psychological forces that lead to crisis and then resilience, how individuals and nations experience trauma in similar ways, and what that suggests about our future and the world's . . . wise and beautiful. -- Diane Ackerman, author of 'The Zookeeper's Wife'
Jared Diamond is one of the deepest thinkers and most authoritative writers of our time-arguably of all time-and Upheaval proves his prescience in analyzing historical crises within nations at a time when national crises have erupted around the world . . . No scientist has ever won the Nobel Prize for literature. Jared Diamond should be the first. -- Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of 'Heavens on Earth'

ISBN: 9780141977782

Dimensions: 197mm x 129mm x 30mm

Weight: 421g

512 pages