Rune

A fascinating story stretched way, way, way too thin. Poor writing with even poorer editing, which makes you constantly wonder whether you hadn't already read this piece or formulation before.

Go read the Wikipedia article instead and save yourself the money and the time. This book will make you hate both reading and studying history, which is a real shame since there are so many interesting, well written books out there. This is definitely not one of them.

Would not recommend to anyone, and would advise to avoid author and editor. It baffles me how this book has such good reviews.

Dan Brown writes an excessively long book highlighting everything he doesn't understand about technology and forgets to include a plot. If you, like me, see the negative reviews and think that it can't really be that bad, strap in and get ready to cringe your way through 458 poorly written pages.

Packed with interesting facts and tidbits of history, but lacks an overarching purpose. Very focused on US economy.

Absolutely fascinating in the first quarter, but unfortunately becomes very repetitive and dull after that. Picks up in the final few chapters again. Would recommend everyone to read the first part.

Absolutely fascinating and refreshing (for anyone not in the field, perhaps) take on why wealth is distributed between nations as it is today. A bit too long-winded and repetitive, however.