Rating  - a convincing con man
Thomas Friedman begins with a poor understanding of American history, and extends this into a baffling misunderstanding of world events and energy technology.
the world isn't so much flat as it is suddenly inundated with cheap transportation, fast communication, and un-precedented data storage and processing abilities. the Cheap energy that enables cheap transportation is getting a lot more expensive. and most of the olive trees have to be cut down to create parking lots for all those new cars. A series of enormously expensive oil wars seem to expend all the savings made by outsourcing.
Trade does not decrease the risk of wars. before the Revolutionary War Britain was the number one market for American goods. Before the War of 1812 70 to 85 percent of American trade was with britain. We also spoke the same language and had the same religion. Before the Civil War the States had no real trade barriers between them. Before World War I france and Germany were very important trading partners. Before the Russians entered World War II, Russia was Germany's most important trading partner.
Britain conducted several wars with China to protect the rights of British Merchants to sell Opium to the Chinese. This broke the back of the Chinese government: a serious of regional insurrections and wars killed tens of millions of Chinese and set the stage for the later successful communist revolution: there are no holocaust museums or organizations for this in America.
America outsources production in order to consume more than it produces. Most small towns and cities get hollowed out. This subsidizes the construction and operation of new suburbs, which creates our oil addiction. We'd have been better off never de-industrializing.
Friedman appears on news programs. He wishes the U.S. could be China for a day. the U.S. was better than China for generations. This was when there were tariffs, distance, communications limitations with Asia and Europe, and barriers to exporting manufacturing capital to these places. Today Americans grow up wanting to be lawyers and economists. Lawyers can create their own work, while economists mostly rely on producing lobbying and propaganda for folks who want to become millionaires and billionaires outsourcing. Most american kids don't grow up interested in mechanics, chemistry, applied engineering, or manufacturers: they grow up in suburbs far from an awareness of factories, foundries, appliance repair shops, and science labs.
Rating  - Every American should read this!
The World is Flat brings the reader up to speed with what a global economy really means and highlights how far we as a country have fallen behind in regards to education, innovation and other areas critical to the future. The author travels the world and collects true real-life information that would be eye opening for just about anyone. There are other countries who believe that the age of the United States as the ecomomic leader is over and the author explains with facts, not opinion, why they may be right. Freidman goes on to outline what has been suggested, by knowledgeable people from all sectors, to help Americans maintain their leadership position and standard of living. This is a non-partison review of the world and if it was required reading for our politicians the presidential race might be a useful discussion of issues that would truely help our citizens.
Rating  - Amazing
Thomas Friedman has truly outdone himself with this one, this is a fantastic description of how the world has/is evolving. It has truly sparked my interest in outsourcing and provided me with numerous interesting tales to add to the occasional conversation.
Rating - Quality Analysis
This book is very well done. Thomas Friedman has put in alot of time in analyzing this book, it contains alot of information, that definitely get one stimulated and should force one to go on nice long thoughts about how the world is changing. All in all this is a great book though long, it contains some excellent information, i would recommend reading it slowly. Pace urself and u will find it enjoyable.
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