Jared Diamond's Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (2005) explores why civilizations collapse by examining historical and contemporary societies, identifying five key factors: environmental damage, climate change, hostile neighbors, loss of friendly neighbors' support, and a society's response to these challenges. The book argues that while environmental factors are significant, a society's own choices and institutions in addressing these problems ultimately determine its fate, offering both cautionary tales and examples of successful adaptation.