Episode · Dwarkesh Podcast · 2026-10-01

Books mentioned on Si Sheppard – How did a few hundred Spanish soldiers topple two empires?

1 book · With Si Sheppard · Listen · Watch on YouTube

New episode with military historian Si Sheppard. The conquests of the Aztec and Inca empires might be the most shocking events in human history.

Si Sheppard discussed Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   Guns, Germs and Steel

   Jared Diamond · at 6:12

   Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond is a sweeping historical and anthropological study that investigates why Eurasian civilizations survived and conquered other societies, attributing outcomes to environmental and geographical advantages rather than biological superiority.

   Discussed

   “The classic text which got me invested in this whole scenario in the first place is Jared Diamond’s book, Guns, Germs, and Steel.”

   Si Sheppard Si Sheppard – How did a few hundred Spanish soldiers topple two empire… 2026-10-01 ▶ Play 6:12

   Where to get it

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