| |  | Books The World Is Flat?: A Critical Analysis of New York Times Bestseller by Thomas Friedman |  | | | | | | | | | | Rating:  - Personal attacks and sarcasm
This book is simply awful.There is plenty to criticize about Friedman's The World is Flat, but this book is so poorly written with so few specific points that I can't recommend it to anyone.
The book does help make it clear that many critics of globalization have a problem with corporations driving the process, not with globalization itself.It also mentions many other books, probably all of which are better than this one.I'll give it two stars for that, but I'm being generous.Don't read this book.
I've just started reading Stiglitz's Making Globalization Work.Read that book instead.Specific criticisms of globalization followed by specific recommendations to fix the problems.You'll find neither in The World is Flat?You will literally learn more about globalization by reading Wikipedia's page on the topic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization) than you will by reading this book.
Specific complaints:
First, much of the book consists of personal attacks against Friedman.For example, they spend time discussing a *rumor* that he has clothes FedExed to him while his travels.So what?Actually, that sounds like a great idea if you have the money.
Second, much of what they criticize is really quite petty.For example, Friedman spells "workflow software" as "work flow software".Half a page gets devoted to that extra space.
Third, several pages of the book are devoted to comments off of Amazon's customer review sections.So you find out some people don't like his book.Amazon tells me that for free.
Fourth, pointless sarcasm appears on nearly every page.For example, on page 58 we find out that, "Seldom has there appeared such a superficial treatment of Ricardo's 'comparative advantage,' that is, except perhaps in some 11th grade civics class."
In short, the entire book is Amazon and Wikipedia quotes, strung together with personal attacks and sarcasm.Even the valid criticisms of Friedman's work are rarely followed by anything useful, like a discussion of alternative viewpoints.Read Stiglitz or Wikipedia instead of this book.
Rating:  - Misleading Title
I was in a hurry when I ordered this book.I saw the title, but ignored or at least missed the significance of the phrase "A Critical Analysis of".I thought I was ordering Friedman's book itself.It sat on my shelf for 4 months before I got around to reading it, and only when I opened it up to read did I realize I had wasted $16.I tried to read it, but having not read the original, it was pretty meaningless.Was this my mistake, or did they entitle the book to entrap buyers like me?
Rating: - WRONG!
Here is a review in the style of Left-wing Amazon users reviewing conservative and economics books:
This is neo-commie garbage. I've read it (the whole thing) and I'm telling you: Don't read this book. It recycles moldy rugs from the attic of international socialism.
Rating:  - How flat is it?
This work is an in depth analysis of how far off base Mr Friedman can be. The examples listed refute the majority of his positions.
This book is required reading for anyone genuinely interested in understanding where the world market is today and where it's going.
It's obvious that for all his travels, Mr. Friedman is not in touch with the 'street'; no doubt too much time spent in the halls of 'Power' instead of observing the reality of what's happening on the ground.
This book provides real, first hand perspectives from individuals that are part of the 'Action'.
Rating: - Thought Provoking
Friedman's prose in the World is Flat is like an empty tin can rolling downhill. His assertions sound loud and predictable. Aronica and Ramdoo offer a fresh, incisive and more readable alternative, pointing out the potholes in Friedman's reasoning along the way. Highly recommended for a provocative and fun-to-read counterpoint discussion, as well as a quick synopsis of key points Friedman largely ignores. Globalization is far too important for us to read just one point of view.
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