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: Good Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I am still reading this book to help me understand why both my daughter and son-in-law both lost their jobs after working for the same company for over 20 years. The book explains from the beginning how this country got into this mess with outsourcing and even though it does not make me feel better, it does a lot to help me underdstand HOW it happened. It is great reading for those who would like to know.Book Review: Must Read for Everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit I am not one to read books relating to globalizations and technology, but after reading the first few pages I was trapped into wanting to read more. If the book had not been a requirement for a recent course taken I would have never imagined I would have read this book. There were always several books about which I felt more enthusiastic.
But this is one I'm glad I did come across purchase and read. I admire the amount of travel and listening and work that Friedman has put into the book. He has a knack for anecdote. He has a liking for imagery, and most of his images work well. Here's an example, illustrating the importance of technical standards. "Imagine a city where every neighborhood had a different interface for connecting the fire hose to the hydrant."
Globalization is, literally, a large and far-reaching topic. In writing a book on globalization including prescription, as well as description, does Friedman overreach? He is aware of the danger of doing so when discussing education, telling us that "I am not an educator" and that he doesn't want to "be utterly presumptuous."
But, in discussing "intellectual property," Friedman doesn't appear to have any such qualms. The person who sounds like the voice of reason in Friedman's account is Sam Palmisano of IBM; his quote (p. 254) is misleading as to the purpose of IP laws, and in a manner very much favoring patent-holders such as IBM.
For overreaching like this, and for other reasons, I do believe that The World Is Flat deserves some of the more extravagant praise heaped on it. In particular, it's a great book. It's a book I'd recommend to someone looking for a journalist-written account of globalization and for anyone who is interested in reading a awesome book that you can not put down after reading the first few pages. It's definitely a book that many people have read and are talking about. It's on an important subject that is constantly on the minds of all us each and everyday. And I would have to highly recommend this book and give it well deserved thumbs up!
Book Review: Gift book sent/recieved but........
Summary: 4 Stars
Had book sent to a relative for B Day. Book was great in every way but.....receiver did not know it was from me. Only the seller's address was on the package.
Amazon should have a note somewhere that says..."this is a gift from so and so.
Book Review: Opening my Eyes
Summary: 4 Stars
"The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman is one of the most thought provoking books I have read. He talks about the way the world has been flattened by the Internet, technology and innovative thinking. The process of many of the services in America being outsourced to other countries is explained. I did not understand how this all happened. He goes step by step and explains his theory on this phenomenon. The fact that so many jobs are being outsourced to other countries is distressing, but he also touches on ways to change our thinking to keep up and keep our jobs or develop a new type of job or service.
The world has changed and thinking out of the box needs to be more of the norm and not the exception is America is going to excel. The problems with the education system in America is highlighted as well as what other countries are doing that has their children getting into the best schools in the world. This book made me think more about how the world is now and what I can do to help make it better as an individual, a parent and an American. I think you will be intrigued as I was reading this book if you keep an open mind and look at the possibilities available in the world today.
Book Review: Not an avid reader
Summary: 4 Stars
The contents were great! I love the way Friedman writes. I have an easier time with periodicals though because the book seems too long for it's content.