The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
Book Review: the world is flat
Summary: 5 Stars
Tom Friedman ' s , The World Is Flat , is the consumate synopsis on the "world" we live in today . We live in a world economy , and all nations must adhere to this fact if they are to survive and compete . Anyone living today should read this book---or listen to it on Audio CD which I have done 4 times---so he/she is cognizant of the ever-changing world and the challenges ahead . If you have not read Friedman ' s book you are ( somewhat ) ignorant of the 21st century world .Book Review: Growing technology for a shrinking world
Summary: 4 Stars
Very interesting review of the developments of the cybernet revolution and its implications for human development.The remaining question is "What's next"? From "flat" to "point"?!Book Review: Flattery might get you nowhere
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is anything but a broad and well-considered critique of where the author sees us heading. I suppose it can best be viewed as a survival kit for our current century. "Survival" does not inherently make life more interesting, beautiful or purposeful. For the fortunate few who find the projected future particularly adaptive, the life ahead of us might be bright and rosy. But for the many, it could simply spell out a higher level of consumerism and considerable ennui.
On the plus side Mr. Friedman manages to provoke the reader into a speculative frame of mind and a critique of our evolving world -- should "it" manage to survive! In the pursuit of an affordable future for most of us and a frantic pursuit for wealth-maintenance by the few, will traditional quality of life issues continue to even get addressed, let alone preserved? Can we afford to treat global war(n)ing as somewhat of a side issue while its growing impact creeps down the coastline of the Americas and threatens more havoc. If the world economy is becoming so robust, why can't we solve the energy and environmental crises and possibly save future humanity? What does the current failing in this regard reflect about contemporary human values and real quality of life issues?
Overall, I found the book to be a vivid and accurate depiction of where we are and where we are heading - certainly worth reading. But there is a paucity of philosophical underpinnings that weakens the foundation for projecting a vastly brighter future ahead of us.
Book Review: Way too long, I know a lot of famous people, by the way everything is Bush's fault
Summary: 2 Stars
This book would have been much better if it had been kept to 200-250 pages. I am disappointed in myself that I kept reading the same thing over and over thinking that eventually some new content would appear. It was tedious how the author had to point out how many famous people he knew. To some extent, this can add credibility, but it was taken to extreme levels in this book.
The book is very partisan, blaming republicans for many problems without making a very strong link. Far from a fair and balanced analysis.
That said, the book is a good summary of technological developments in the last 10-15 years. There were some good insights, however, I can't wholeheartedly recommend given how repetitive the book is.
Book Review: And the sky is falling
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is an eye-poping-opener to what is happening in the history of economics. This was a mandatory read to the completion of my college degree because most industry leaders have read and believe it. The truth is most industry workers will have to compete for their job internationally. However I like to believe the other side of the coin as Friedman's views are negative towards America's position. After recently touring a secured industry compound a material physicist told me, "We're sending them the 20th Century and building the 21st for ourselves."