"Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond

Pages: 464
Genre:Non-Fiction

Back Cover Synopsis: "Why did Eurasians conquer, displace, or decimate Native Americans, Australians, and Africans, instead of the reverse? In this groundbreaking book, already a classic of our time, evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history by revealing the environmental factors actually responsible for history's broadest patterns. Here, at last, is a world history that really is a history of all the world's peoples, a unified narrative of human life."

Review: This was required reading for one of my grad school classes about globalization. The concept is interesting enough, and some of the chapters follow suite, but on the whole, I was unimpressed. I felt Diamond was a broken record. He repeated the same information through the entire book and even into the epilogue. I also do not think he answered all the questions he brought up throughout the book.

Some chapters were very interesting--particularly the one about the Spaniards defeating the Incas...very brutal history there. It may be a good source for learning more about globalization, but it wasn't exactly pulling me in.

"What Would Audrey Do?" by Pamela Keogh

Pages: 248
Genre: Biographical

Back Cover Synopsis: "Audrey Hepburn epitomized grace and style, not only in her appearance, but in her very essence. Whether in fashion, her relationships, her home life, or her work on the screen or for UNICEF, there is no one more worthy of imitation. Yes, she was born with great beauty, enviable bone structure, and a manner that made practically everyone she met fall instantly in love with her. But Audrey's life was also marked by challenges: growing up without a father, surviving the Nazi threat and deprivation of World War II, unfaithful husbands and two divorces, and living under constant scrutiny from the media--all while managing her extraordinary film career, raising two children, and being considered the paragon of chic."

Review: This is the second Audrey Hepburn biography I have read. I thought this one was much easier to read and get into than the first one. Keogh kept it structured, fun, informative, and very entertaining. If you are an Audrey fan--and frankly, who isn't?--this is definitely a must read.

If you've read it, please, tell me what you think!