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I mentioned Friedman's op-ed and new book, ”The World is Flat,” in a previous post because I do respect his opinion and analysis on globalization. His first book, ”The Lexus and the Olive Tree,” contained a few annoyances but overall it was a seminal (and perhaps the first accessible) book on globalization and ever since I've kept track of his research and writing.
Here are two opinions on his latest book:
" A number of truly enlightening books have been published recently which not only support globalisation, but answer its critics and explain its complexities to the general reader—most notably Jagdish Bhagwati's “In Defence of Globalisation“ [I read part of this before giving it to my brother] and Martin Wolf's “Why Globalisation Works“. Because of Mr Friedman's fame as a columnist, his book will probably far outsell both of these. That is a shame. Anyone tempted to buy “The World is Flat” should hold back, and purchase instead Mr Bhagwati's book or Mr Wolf's. "
" The metaphor of a flat world, used by Friedman to describe the next phase of globalization, is ingenious. It came to him after hearing an Indian software executive explain how the world's economic playing field was being leveled...And while this book is not as powerful as Friedman's earlier ones -- it is, as the publisher notes, an "update" of "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" -- its fundamental insight is true and deeply important.
Just trying to be fair and balanced; I report, you decide (thanks for the slogan FNC).
Posted by cph19
at 1:40 AM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 3 May 2005 1:04 AM EDT
