Upheaval

More about the book

In his third book of a monumental trilogy, Jared Diamond explores how nations recover from crises while making selective changes, akin to individual coping mechanisms. He examines six countries that have navigated significant upheavals, including Japan's forced opening by U.S. Commodore Perry, Finland's defense against the Soviet Union, and the tumultuous histories of Chile and Indonesia, as well as the post-World War Two transformations in Germany and Austria. Drawing from his firsthand experiences in five of these nations, Diamond presents gut-wrenching histories and highlights coping mechanisms such as acknowledging responsibility, engaging in honest self-appraisal, and learning from other countries. He also contemplates whether the United States, Japan, and the world at large are effectively addressing the grave crises they face today. By adding a psychological dimension to his exploration of history, geography, biology, and anthropology, Diamond reveals the factors that influence how both nations and individuals respond to significant challenges. The result is an epic yet deeply personal examination of resilience and recovery in the face of adversity.