has anyone ever read the book "collapse: how societies choose to fail or succeed" by Jared Diamond?

Yes.

Basic premise is that how a society acts as an environmental steward primarily impacts whether it succeeds or fails. He draws on a number of examples (all failures) in proving this and points solely to their environmental impact as the source of their failure (the weakest point in his arguement, i.m.h.o)

Notes on Jared Diamond?! Where do I start.

I'm sure there are Blooms notes on it, or cliff.. though blooms is better, but I don't know you should maybe try READING the book. There's a reason why he's a best seller.

I haven't read that one but I've read Guns Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond and it was great so I would recommend you read any of his books. He tends to give quite a scientific view of history.

You should actually read it. That author has some great stuff.

Plus it will probably give you some insight into how the U.S. will fare in the future.

He was interviewed on NPR so you can go to their site and search his name and hear him discuss his book and answer questions.