Why did human civilization progress earlier in Europe and Asia than it did in Africa and the Americas? Jared Diamond's thesis is that it had everything to do with geography. This is a fascinating book that examines the resources and climate available in each region and how that effected the development of societies. Highly recommended!!!

I resisted starting this book because I thought the dog-narrator idea was too gimmicky. But by chapter 3 I was hooked. I loved the racing metaphors and found many sweet nuggets of wisdom in this touching story.

This wasn't as well executed a book as "The Hunger Games" but still a very thrilling tale with characters you couldn't stop thinking about.

This is a book I could read again and again and it's a wonderful read-a-loud for parents and kids. My 12 yr old son was reluctant to start it so we read the first two chapters as a read-a-loud and he was hooked. He finished it on his own in 3 days. My 10 yr old daughter read it on her own but I think the plot intricacies lost her and she didn't enjoy it as much. It would have been better to read together. I loved the "Wrinkle In Time" connection, the $20,000 Pyramid references, and the NYC 1970's setting. The idea that everyone walks around with a veil over their eyes and occasionally we have moments where the veil is lifted and we clearly see the "magic thread" connecting all the pieces in our lives is a truly beautiful one.

good chinese learning material