Nota lot of feedback as yet but it appears we have some similar background reading, e.g. Landes, Krugman, et. al.(posted 8758 days ago)Therefore if you're interested in Diamond's book I'd suggest tracking down a copy of C.D. Darlington's 'The Evolution of Man and Society'. Somewhat dated and the language will raise hackles form non-PC. However a brilliant synthesis of the growth of society when viewed from the perspective of the evolutionary biologist. Complementary books would be E.O. Wilson's 'On Human Nature' and 'Consiliance'
For history I've recently dug up Teddy White's autobiography 'In Search of History' going thru his experiences in China before and durring WW2, post WW2 Euope and modern American polictics. His side insights on the role of gov't, economics, how Europe would have collapsed, etc. would be very complementary to some of your other interests. . . . . . . . . . Contributed by David B. (Dave) Livingston (dbl@ibm.us.com) on July 26, 1999.