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The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman (2005, Hardcover)
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Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
Publication Date: 2005-04-05
Language: English
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0374292884
ISBN-13: 9780374292881
Product ID: EPID43435374
Description: In THE WORLD IS FLAT, the highly-regarded New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman advances the work on globalization that made his THE LEXUS AND THE OLIVE TREE a bestseller. Claiming that the world is now at an important historical p...
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True Eye Opener on Global Economic IntegrationReview created: 09/22/05
by:
) 
22 of 23 people found this review helpful.
The World is Flat is worth it's weight in gold for those who seek to not only improve their understanding of how the world will change, but how it has already changed. Friedman's uses the metaphor of a "flat world" to describe the leveling that is occurring across global economies, including both developed and "undeveloped" countries.
In the book, Friedman highlights ten shifts - or flatteners - that are influencing livelihoods and the way of life of people throughout the world.
Some of the interesting flatteners Friedman refers to include the fall of the Berlin Wall, introduction of Netscape, the open-source software movement, offshoring and insourcing.
Friedman does a great job of drawing on his personal experiences and travels in this book. He includes dozens of stories based on accounts and interactions with individuals throughout the world. One example is a meeting with the head of an accounting firm in Bangalore, India. The firm has a talented staff of CPA-equivalents who prepare tax returns for Americans. The individual indicates to Friedman that his next venture is a company that transmits CAT scans via the Net so patients around the world can get an inexpensive second opinion on a health diagnosis.
Friedman highlights that while the trends shaping globalization were identified long ago, they truly converged at the start of this century in a way that is accelerating the pace of change. In other words - the change we're seeing is not new news, but the rate at which this change is taking hold and the speed at which this change is affecting livelihoods is unprecedented.
The book is filled with fun examples of companies that are shaping global economic integration, including Wal-Mart, McDonald's and JetBlue. For example, there is a McDonald's in Missouri with a drive through where instead of sending an order to a kid with a headphone no more than steps away, the order goes to a call-center in Colorado. In addition to the order, a digital photo is included to help the server at the drive-up match the order with the customer; McDonald's claims that this model has increased their efficiency per order by 30 seconds and reduced their errors in half. The other examples are just as interesting.
Friedman emphasizes that the best way for workers in developed countries to remain competitive and globally employable is to gain additional skills and expertise. Moving up the value chain will allow individuals and companies to attract a price premium for their talents and specialized services. A good example that he highlights is that of UPS. UPS is in the business of parcel delivery and logistics; however, they have also deployed a model where they repair computers at a distribution center on behalf of a major customer. UPS has applied their supply chain expertise to a new service line, and have thus launched an entirely new revenue line.
Finally, the books is filled with a good references to history and the lessons that it can teach us. There is a clear premise that continued global economic integration cannot be stopped, and attempts to prevent change will be at the expense of economic well being. He highlights specific examples of this over the past hundred years, comparing closed economies to open economies, and indicating how America can do more to position ourselves to compete more effectively in the global arena.
In the book, Friedman highlights ten shifts - or flatteners - that are influencing livelihoods and the way of life of people throughout the world.
Some of the interesting flatteners Friedman refers to include the fall of the Berlin Wall, introduction of Netscape, the open-source software movement, offshoring and insourcing.
Friedman does a great job of drawing on his personal experiences and travels in this book. He includes dozens of stories based on accounts and interactions with individuals throughout the world. One example is a meeting with the head of an accounting firm in Bangalore, India. The firm has a talented staff of CPA-equivalents who prepare tax returns for Americans. The individual indicates to Friedman that his next venture is a company that transmits CAT scans via the Net so patients around the world can get an inexpensive second opinion on a health diagnosis.
Friedman highlights that while the trends shaping globalization were identified long ago, they truly converged at the start of this century in a way that is accelerating the pace of change. In other words - the change we're seeing is not new news, but the rate at which this change is taking hold and the speed at which this change is affecting livelihoods is unprecedented.
The book is filled with fun examples of companies that are shaping global economic integration, including Wal-Mart, McDonald's and JetBlue. For example, there is a McDonald's in Missouri with a drive through where instead of sending an order to a kid with a headphone no more than steps away, the order goes to a call-center in Colorado. In addition to the order, a digital photo is included to help the server at the drive-up match the order with the customer; McDonald's claims that this model has increased their efficiency per order by 30 seconds and reduced their errors in half. The other examples are just as interesting.
Friedman emphasizes that the best way for workers in developed countries to remain competitive and globally employable is to gain additional skills and expertise. Moving up the value chain will allow individuals and companies to attract a price premium for their talents and specialized services. A good example that he highlights is that of UPS. UPS is in the business of parcel delivery and logistics; however, they have also deployed a model where they repair computers at a distribution center on behalf of a major customer. UPS has applied their supply chain expertise to a new service line, and have thus launched an entirely new revenue line.
Finally, the books is filled with a good references to history and the lessons that it can teach us. There is a clear premise that continued global economic integration cannot be stopped, and attempts to prevent change will be at the expense of economic well being. He highlights specific examples of this over the past hundred years, comparing closed economies to open economies, and indicating how America can do more to position ourselves to compete more effectively in the global arena.
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The book of all books when it comes to globalization
) 14 of 19 people found this review helpful.
Friedman provides an excellent summary of recent changes that have created today's intense global economy. However, his conclusion that this is good for the U.S. - based on anecdotal evidence supplied by outsourcing supporters - is dead wrong.
Broader data show massive deterioration in U.S. workers' healthcare and pension coverage, and opportunities to use and develop higher-level skills (eg. software, engineering, production management, technical skills). The most recent data even show a decline in inflation-adjusted incomes. (Not only are the areas outsourced directly impacted, but so are career areas that displaced individuals move into.) Meanwhile, the areas being outsourced continues to grow to now include tutors, and drug trials.
Friedman observes that Asian competitors are quick learners, moving up the "food chain" from simple production managed by Americans to designing new sophisticated equipment and parts and then manufacturing them under local management. What he fails to note is that sooner or later they will also take over total control and financing - leaving only U.S. distribution to Americans. Thus, most of those that now support outsourcing will eventually find themselves also outsourced. (Median salary and cash bonuses for U.S. CEOs in office for at least a year was $2.3 million in '03, vs. $88,117 in India, according to the Wall Street Journal, 7/19/05)
Friedman does have a recommendation for America in the "flattened world" - substantially improve education and pupil achievement. Unfortunately, even if accomplished (30+ years of reform efforts have yet to come close), it would be of little help. Experts have concluded that Oriental IQs generally average 10 points higher than those of Americans. China and India graduate a combined 500,000 scientists and engineers a year, vs. 60,000 in the U.S., according to Business Week (8/22/05). China alone has about four times the U.S. population, and then there's India, Pakistan, South America, etc. - earning as little as 5% of what Americans bring in. Meanwhile, the number of U.S. computer science students is DECLINING - as a result of unemployment caused by outsourcing. In addition, the inflation-adjusted income for B.A. degrees has fallen 4.9% from '00-'04, while high-school graduates only fell 0.2% (BW, 9/12/05)
In addition, American corporations are hobbled by having to pay high healthcare costs, vs. other nations' much lower costs - largely born by government. And finally there are the government restrictions on genetic research that American firms are forced to live with - possibly precluding significant participation in a potentially booming new area.
If the preceding examples do not set off alarm bells, there's always the latest news that the brightest Indian immigrants in the U.S. are now starting to return to India. At the same time, the volume of those coming here is declining - reportedly because of "better opportunities" in India. Meanwhile, improved technology and reliability acerbate the job problem by further reducing opportunities.
Clearly the mathematics are against us and the inevitable result is that our standard of living is headed for a substantial fall - unless some other solution is found. Rome, Spain, and England proved that a nation's strength is not permanent. Friedman summarized the factors eroding America's - unfortunately, he failed to look clearly into the future or to find a solution. And those should be America's main concerns
Broader data show massive deterioration in U.S. workers' healthcare and pension coverage, and opportunities to use and develop higher-level skills (eg. software, engineering, production management, technical skills). The most recent data even show a decline in inflation-adjusted incomes. (Not only are the areas outsourced directly impacted, but so are career areas that displaced individuals move into.) Meanwhile, the areas being outsourced continues to grow to now include tutors, and drug trials.
Friedman observes that Asian competitors are quick learners, moving up the "food chain" from simple production managed by Americans to designing new sophisticated equipment and parts and then manufacturing them under local management. What he fails to note is that sooner or later they will also take over total control and financing - leaving only U.S. distribution to Americans. Thus, most of those that now support outsourcing will eventually find themselves also outsourced. (Median salary and cash bonuses for U.S. CEOs in office for at least a year was $2.3 million in '03, vs. $88,117 in India, according to the Wall Street Journal, 7/19/05)
Friedman does have a recommendation for America in the "flattened world" - substantially improve education and pupil achievement. Unfortunately, even if accomplished (30+ years of reform efforts have yet to come close), it would be of little help. Experts have concluded that Oriental IQs generally average 10 points higher than those of Americans. China and India graduate a combined 500,000 scientists and engineers a year, vs. 60,000 in the U.S., according to Business Week (8/22/05). China alone has about four times the U.S. population, and then there's India, Pakistan, South America, etc. - earning as little as 5% of what Americans bring in. Meanwhile, the number of U.S. computer science students is DECLINING - as a result of unemployment caused by outsourcing. In addition, the inflation-adjusted income for B.A. degrees has fallen 4.9% from '00-'04, while high-school graduates only fell 0.2% (BW, 9/12/05)
In addition, American corporations are hobbled by having to pay high healthcare costs, vs. other nations' much lower costs - largely born by government. And finally there are the government restrictions on genetic research that American firms are forced to live with - possibly precluding significant participation in a potentially booming new area.
If the preceding examples do not set off alarm bells, there's always the latest news that the brightest Indian immigrants in the U.S. are now starting to return to India. At the same time, the volume of those coming here is declining - reportedly because of "better opportunities" in India. Meanwhile, improved technology and reliability acerbate the job problem by further reducing opportunities.
Clearly the mathematics are against us and the inevitable result is that our standard of living is headed for a substantial fall - unless some other solution is found. Rome, Spain, and England proved that a nation's strength is not permanent. Friedman summarized the factors eroding America's - unfortunately, he failed to look clearly into the future or to find a solution. And those should be America's main concerns
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Oh my god. Honey i think that the world is FlatReview created: 10/01/06(updated 12/21/06)
by:
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6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
In 1492 Christoper Columbus went to one of the most prominent voyage of the history. his journey aim was to discover the shortcut to INDIA, but mistakenly he discovered instead America continent. Columbus went back to King & Queen of Spain and says: I have a good news and a bad news: the bad news is that i didn't find a shortcut to India, the good news is that the world is round...
It took us 500 years and quite a few process like: Offshorong, in-sourcing, outsourcing, supply-chain,in-forming, uploading.. to discover that Columbus,Copernicus and Galilee were wrong.. because the world had became flat.
This is journey in full speed to globalization. if you want to update all your conception and perspective, this is the time. it's time to learn how to corporate the globalization and learn how i as an individual can earn from it, instead of trying to compete with it.
This book is a key element to understanding the contemporary revisions and changes of our world, because the future is now.
In The World Is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist, explores the political and technological changes that have flattened the world and made it a smaller place. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the explosion of the internet to the dot com bubble and bust and outsourcing of jobs to India and China, globalization has evened the playing field for many emerging economies. He also explains how these changes could potentially affect social and religious organizations. He argues that it's not a message of doom and gloom, but financial and political realities which require change to stay on top of them. The World Is Flat has received positive reviews with the Washington Post saying, "We've no real idea how the 21st century's history will unfold, but this terrifically stimulating book will certainly inspire readers to start thinking it all through."
It took us 500 years and quite a few process like: Offshorong, in-sourcing, outsourcing, supply-chain,in-forming, uploading.. to discover that Columbus,Copernicus and Galilee were wrong.. because the world had became flat.
This is journey in full speed to globalization. if you want to update all your conception and perspective, this is the time. it's time to learn how to corporate the globalization and learn how i as an individual can earn from it, instead of trying to compete with it.
This book is a key element to understanding the contemporary revisions and changes of our world, because the future is now.
In The World Is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist, explores the political and technological changes that have flattened the world and made it a smaller place. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the explosion of the internet to the dot com bubble and bust and outsourcing of jobs to India and China, globalization has evened the playing field for many emerging economies. He also explains how these changes could potentially affect social and religious organizations. He argues that it's not a message of doom and gloom, but financial and political realities which require change to stay on top of them. The World Is Flat has received positive reviews with the Washington Post saying, "We've no real idea how the 21st century's history will unfold, but this terrifically stimulating book will certainly inspire readers to start thinking it all through."
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The World id Flat2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Friedman's theories and conclusions are very interesting. One in particular has some salience in today's day and age, which is his McDonald's theory -- that since 1950 or so no two countries that both possess the fast food chain of McDonald's have engaged in war with one another. There's something about the similarities of culture, and not wanting to upset that, that preclude one hamburger-loving nation to wage war against a supersize brethren. This theory has an addendum or corollary, which is no countries that rely upon each other as cogs in a supply chain have gone to war either. Not to say it would not happen, but thusfar, capitalism keeps geo-political pressures and potential skirmishes in tact. Overall, I liked the book.
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Insightful book on the growth of mulitnational business
) 1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
I bought this book on the advice of a friend and have found it wonderful resource. Everyday people really have no idea of how global business, the Internet and "Multinationalism"is changing the world in which we live. Invaluable to anyone interested in Global Economics or finance. This book will give you a better understanding of the direction our world is heading and how big business is creating a "flattened global economy".
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Scary but it needs to be said!1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Great book- great research, easy to read, very insightful! Friedman has a way of taking a very complex topic and making it easy to understand. Teachers and parents as well as all business owners in America should read this book!
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Good book with some inaccuracies1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
First of all, Thomas Friedman is a great writer. This book is a compelling read.
Some of the history is inaccurate and very Microsoft-centric.Having lived through some of the high-tech era, his order of things and the "cause" and "effect" relationships are not on the mark.
When he talks about Linux, there is no mention of Red Hat. They are by in large the most successful company in the Linux space. To not mention them in the Open-Source revolution taking place shows he does not understand some of the key forces he is espousing.
He offers a lot of great insight, but he definitely has missed the mark. The book is a mile wide and an inch deep. A good start, but maybe a sequel is planned?
Some of the history is inaccurate and very Microsoft-centric.Having lived through some of the high-tech era, his order of things and the "cause" and "effect" relationships are not on the mark.
When he talks about Linux, there is no mention of Red Hat. They are by in large the most successful company in the Linux space. To not mention them in the Open-Source revolution taking place shows he does not understand some of the key forces he is espousing.
He offers a lot of great insight, but he definitely has missed the mark. The book is a mile wide and an inch deep. A good start, but maybe a sequel is planned?
Review ID: 10000000000724667
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The world flat in front of you1 of 3 people found this review helpful.
This is eye-opening book that is well written, the style is excellent, and very interesting. Especially I found geopolitics and the books conclusion very educational.
Friedman ties events together and makes sense of the whole written work here.
I am amazed how the author placed his thoughts in order and covered the big picture of this complex world in this book. Friedman writes about trends, easy to digest concepts, that allow all kind of readers to understand the changes facing America in a changing globe economy. Most of what he claims in this great book seems logical and truthful.
Great work.
Friedman ties events together and makes sense of the whole written work here.
I am amazed how the author placed his thoughts in order and covered the big picture of this complex world in this book. Friedman writes about trends, easy to digest concepts, that allow all kind of readers to understand the changes facing America in a changing globe economy. Most of what he claims in this great book seems logical and truthful.
Great work.
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The World is Flat by Thomas L. FriedmanReview created: 11/14/09
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I started reading it and it sounded like a good book. So I just got it. Kind of hard to review just yet.
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The World Is FlatReview created: 06/27/09
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I loved this book! I was reading it for school and it grew on me as I read and now I can't put the dang thing down.
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THE WORLD IS FLATThis book is exactly what I wanted and the purchase of it was economical and I receved it very quickly. A model transaction.
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The World Is FlatI loved my item. Thank You! The book was in Great Condition. I enjoyed doing business with you!!!!!!!!!!!
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Great Seller!The item was received very quickly and the shipping price was accurate. The book is in great condition just as the seller described. I purchased the book for a college course. I have yet to start the book; however, I look forward to reading it. I've heard great things about the book and I'm considering purchasing the sequel.
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The World Is FlatNeeded for school and couldn't get it from the library! The price was perfect and I hope to be able to pass it along to someone else in need in the future!!!
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The modern day world (The Global Village)Review created: 10/08/08
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This book is an excellent book devoted to the role of technology in the present day world. It explains the nuts and bolts of events such as outsourcing that has been prevalent in the business world. This book is easy to read. The author is amazing. His column in the various US newspapers are fun to read, hard hitting, point blank and realistic. This book explains how technology and information revolution has flattened this world.
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I liked itReview created: 07/04/08
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thapakrishna ( 4 )
I liked it. Good communication/fast shipping/and the book that I bought from her was exactly on the same condition as she said it was...I'd like to do more business with her in future....
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Superb Experience of PurchaseReview created: 03/06/08
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Fast Shipping, exact description, reasonably priced and good communication. Everything was smooth. 100% recommended.
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AverageReview created: 03/05/08
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The book was in pretty good condition, however the book did not ship very fast and I did not receive it for a long period of time.
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Great transactionReview created: 03/02/08
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aznsensation_5 ( 4 )
very fast deliver!!! Would do business with again. The book is brand new and the price was great. I have no regrets with this seller. I needed the book for class and it came just in time.
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Nice bookExcellent sale. The very kind salesman, I received the book in time, did not have problems when receiving it, I received it in good state, I recommend this salesman
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Great Book!Review created: 12/08/07
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I bought the audio version of this, and wanted a hard copy to cite in papers. Some of the information is a bit dated, but it provides an excellent history of the last 20 years economically.
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The World is FlatReview created: 11/22/07(updated 11/22/07)
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dancingquuen ( 4 )
Thomas L. Friedman expands on the understanding of what it means to embrace the concept of globalization by focusing on 10 events that have eliminated barriers all over the world and allows individuals to compete on a level playing field. I read the Lexus and the Olive Tree and thanks to Friedman's analysis, my take on the subject became much clearer. Recommended reading for anyone who is a realist with ideas.
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The World is FlatI bought it as a textbook for a college class.
I like it because it is a good book. I dislike that it is not the latest edition of the text.
I like it because it is a good book. I dislike that it is not the latest edition of the text.
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The World is FlatReview created: 06/07/07
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rec. to me at work...It lives up to its hype...I'm not disappointed..
It's very current. The book keeps your interest by using story line, making it more easy to absord the material. I have already bought a copy for a friend.
It's very current. The book keeps your interest by using story line, making it more easy to absord the material. I have already bought a copy for a friend.
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fantastic consolidation of global economics 1999-2004A must read if you are worried about where to invest your money and time. This book will solidify an interest in diversifying outside of the US.
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