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elusivity's review against another edition
Strikes me as being overly simplistic. Written with smooth charm as his Newsweek articles, but lacking in depth. Did not seem worth my time to finish.
rltinha's review against another edition
3.0
Parcialíssimo. Neo-coiso até aos quarks.
Pelo lado positivo, e comum à boa literatura de aeroporto, «fácinho» de ler.
Pelo lado positivo, e comum à boa literatura de aeroporto, «fácinho» de ler.
worldlibraries's review against another edition
4.0
Fareed Zakarias is well-known now to American television audiences, but it is important to remember what a breakthrough broadcasting success he was when he started his international affairs show. For most of us Americans he was the most prominent Muslim-American we had ever seen on television. Indeed, friends have suggested he could be our first Muslim-American Secretary of State. I appreciated that his was the first Sunday talk show to consistently, week-after-week, bring an international panel of guests on his show to discuss how issues looked from abroad. Utilizing intellect and charm, he led Americans in considering and valuing viewpoints from non-Americans at a time when America was scared, hunkered down, and lashing out in Iraq and Afghanistan.
If Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat," helped me understand the economic impact of globalization, Zakarias' "The Post-American World and the Rise of the Rest" soothed me as an American and made me comfortable with the political impact of globalization (despite its alarming title). As nations become "more like America" and compete with us using the same level of democracy and capitalistic meritocracy that made America such a success, it could be easy for Americans to fear the future and the world more. Zakarias suggests that if we stay true to values and don't fight the reality of the rise of the rest, America has enough advantages with our superb ability to assimilate immigrants, our spectacular institutions of higher education, and our storied ability to turn research into actual products to compete just fine against nations with larger populations. Our role will be to lead by example, coordinate nations in a multi-polar world as George H.W. Bush did so well in the first Gulf War, and thrive.
If Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat," helped me understand the economic impact of globalization, Zakarias' "The Post-American World and the Rise of the Rest" soothed me as an American and made me comfortable with the political impact of globalization (despite its alarming title). As nations become "more like America" and compete with us using the same level of democracy and capitalistic meritocracy that made America such a success, it could be easy for Americans to fear the future and the world more. Zakarias suggests that if we stay true to values and don't fight the reality of the rise of the rest, America has enough advantages with our superb ability to assimilate immigrants, our spectacular institutions of higher education, and our storied ability to turn research into actual products to compete just fine against nations with larger populations. Our role will be to lead by example, coordinate nations in a multi-polar world as George H.W. Bush did so well in the first Gulf War, and thrive.
rajani_tries_to_read's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very informative and easy to read. I found the concepts and ideas discussed in this book quite intriguing. Sometimes, it seemed that Zakaria is oversimplifying things. However, for a general idea of the dynamics of world politics and economy, it felt okay. This book is not an in-depth analysis. It does not give you all the variables. It is trying to give the general people a broad idea and understanding of world economy involving the super power America, and the two growing economic giants India and China. Overall, I felt that it succeeded in doing that without boring the readers. I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it.
I do, however, have one grievance with the author. He mentions that Buddha was born in India and Indian culture and religion is influenced by his philosophy. Buddha gained his enlightenment while mediating in current day Bihar. Bodh Gaya to be specific. I am sure Buddhism has influenced the culture in India. But, even I know that Buddha was born around 600 BC in a place called Lumbini which lies in present day Nepal, and I am not a world renowned journalist. This is a small inconsistency but it did make me wonder about the accuracy of other facts mentioned in this book.
I do, however, have one grievance with the author. He mentions that Buddha was born in India and Indian culture and religion is influenced by his philosophy. Buddha gained his enlightenment while mediating in current day Bihar. Bodh Gaya to be specific. I am sure Buddhism has influenced the culture in India. But, even I know that Buddha was born around 600 BC in a place called Lumbini which lies in present day Nepal, and I am not a world renowned journalist. This is a small inconsistency but it did make me wonder about the accuracy of other facts mentioned in this book.
kylerw's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting read. I think readers should be cautious of thinking that this book is meant to be prophecy. All that I mean by that is that the book is simply a prediction of the what the world will look like as times change. I think this book should be more widely read - especially amongst Americans. This book offers a unique perspetive on the world around us and what our place as Americans will be in that world.
natemanfrenjensen's review against another edition
3.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I intend to read some more of Mr. Zakaria's books.
regferk's review against another edition
5.0
This book as been on my reading list for a long time but it was moved to the top a few weeks ago when a distant relation of mine sent one of those hate/chain emails with a picture of President Obama holding a copy of the book. The message read:
"THIS WILL CURDLE YOUR BLOOD AND CURL YOUR HAIR! The name of the book that Obama is reading called: The Post American World, and it was written by a fellow Muslim. "Post" America means the World After America! Please forward this picture to everyone you know, conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican, Folks we need to be aware of what our President is reading and thinking -- or planning!
"We must expose Obama's radial ideas and and his intent to bring down our beloved America!"
I immediately sent a reply back to my relative saying, "Thanks for bringing this to my attention. As a naturalized American citizen, Fareed Zakaria has always had a very unique perspective. I found the book listed on good reads with rating of 3.85 on a scale of 5 (with over a sample of over 4,000 ratings). Sounds like it might be a really good book."
There are so many things wrong with the email, but I'm going to just stick with the topic of the book. Now after having read it, I wish I had forwarded my comment to everyone on the email thread and not just replied only to sender. Everyone should be reading this book and I'm very glad to know that our President has read it. The book is not about the decline of America although there are some things things you can definitely point to as examples of possible decline. But the book is about the rise of EVERYONE ELSE and how we should respond to that. This is a good thing with great opportunity. Obviously, the author of the hate mail had no idea what the book was actually about. It's very pro-America in its assessments and its recommendations. Although I can find numerous small things to argue and nitpick within the book, I give it a hearty five stars!
"THIS WILL CURDLE YOUR BLOOD AND CURL YOUR HAIR! The name of the book that Obama is reading called: The Post American World, and it was written by a fellow Muslim. "Post" America means the World After America! Please forward this picture to everyone you know, conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican, Folks we need to be aware of what our President is reading and thinking -- or planning!
"We must expose Obama's radial ideas and and his intent to bring down our beloved America!"
I immediately sent a reply back to my relative saying, "Thanks for bringing this to my attention. As a naturalized American citizen, Fareed Zakaria has always had a very unique perspective. I found the book listed on good reads with rating of 3.85 on a scale of 5 (with over a sample of over 4,000 ratings). Sounds like it might be a really good book."
There are so many things wrong with the email, but I'm going to just stick with the topic of the book. Now after having read it, I wish I had forwarded my comment to everyone on the email thread and not just replied only to sender. Everyone should be reading this book and I'm very glad to know that our President has read it. The book is not about the decline of America although there are some things things you can definitely point to as examples of possible decline. But the book is about the rise of EVERYONE ELSE and how we should respond to that. This is a good thing with great opportunity. Obviously, the author of the hate mail had no idea what the book was actually about. It's very pro-America in its assessments and its recommendations. Although I can find numerous small things to argue and nitpick within the book, I give it a hearty five stars!
barrysweezey's review against another edition
The world's gaining on us and we should be a better competitor and a better neighbor.