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 enlarge | Author: Fareed Zakaria
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $15.24
You Save: $10.71 (41%)
New (42) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $15.24
Avg. Customer Rating:  86 reviews
Sales Rank: 30
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2
ISBN: 039306235X
Dewey Decimal Number: 303.49
EAN: 9780393062359
ASIN: 039306235X
Publication Date: May 5, 2008
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| Customer Reviews:
 Handbook for the 21st Century July 16, 2008
This is a really great book about changes in the world that have occurred over the course of the past 10-20 years that have resulted in a multi-polar global power structure. The US, while still the biggest kid on the block, is no longer the only voice that matters and as a country we will have to learn to increasingly modify our policies and political and social culture to take into account "the rest." Zakaria focuses specifically on the growing strength of India and China and offers an amazingly succinct analysis of each country delving into the geography, social history, economics and culture of each region. These chapters are invaluable in introducing these global "players" to the reader as they are presented in such a vivid, complete and human way that you come away from the book with a much greater "sense" of the regions and will feel a stronger familiarity with and sympathy toward these cultures even if you have never travelled to these places. Zakaria's writing is meticulous and exhaustive and he writes in an accessible, non-academic, unpretentious way. Yet, throughout the course of the book he presents more relevant information than you would likely be exposed to in the course of a whole semester of courses in Geopolitics, World Religions and Asian Studies.
The weaknesses of the book are a lack of critical analysis as to what specifically contributed to America's relative decline and an uncritical look at the forces of globalization. Clearly, Zakaria ranks in the members of the global economy that have benefitted from this trend and many people have, but some haven't. If you feel yourself to be in the latter position you may find Zakaria's perspective to be somewhat insensitive and negligent. However, I'm sure many writers will come into the breach to present an alternate perspective. This is his perspective and the book is useful and has merit even if you don't agree with the position he takes. You don't have to be a business professional or active in foreign affairs to feel that you have a stake in the development of this increasingly global world. The book is geared toward the average reader and anyone from a high school senior up would benefit from this read. Best if you had some exposure to macroeconomic concepts prior to reading, as it would make much of the discussion easier to understand and more meaningful.
Lookout Economist - Zakaria on deck July 15, 2008
After having read this wonderful book I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you have ever:
- Read the economist
- Watched BBC news
- travelled outside your own country and seen a bit of the world
- enjoy hearing many different sides to an argument
- read economics as well as cartoons (occasionally)
- appreciate a proper diagnosis when you see one
- realize the world is indeed combined and shriking
etc. etc. etc. Then you need to read this book.
As I was reading The Post American World it reminded me of a conversation years ago I had with a couple from India (she a doctor, he an engineer). The Dr. amongst us was explaining her residency here in the U.S. and comparing it to that in India. The take away from that conversation is very similiar to one of many take aways from this great book...in India they actually spend time doing a proper diagnosis because profit isn't the only factor involved in their healthcare system i.e. Mr. Zakaria's diagnosis is so profound and thoughtful (perhaps a bit too much siding with us stateside) that he could if taken seriously cause much of academia and policy makers etc. to finally wake up and see that the U.S. hedgemony will in fact end soon and it's high time to do something about: languages, culture training, public-private partnerships, competitive education en mass, what we as a society value and on and on.
This book put me back in all the best lectures, seminars, speaking events of the past 20 years and from what I can tell hit every detail smack center. I haven't bothered to look at Newsweek for some years (same old, same old) but am going to have to rethink with Zakaria's brilliance, thoughtfulness and perspective that is refreshingly honest and yet civil minded.
A good friend now living in Asia was born/raised in Australia, is of Chinese ancestry and has lived all over the place. Alot of this book reminded me of the way our conversations would go ie. he would often say it's so interesting to look at a problem/topic from both a western and easter (simultaneously) point of view.
If this review is half grabbing and you've never picked up a copy of 'Transitions Abroad' you might find it a good look.
Ciao, Tyler
 A quickie volume July 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There is a great deal of factual information about the growth of economies other than the United States economy here, and I found that aspect of the book informative. However, the book seems to have been thrown together quickly - there are several very current references to the present presidential race - and often is repetitive, suggesting light editorial supervision. And I found the author's viewpoint overly optimistic. He believes the U.S. influence isn't diminishing, others just are growing faster. Still, if others get to the finish line before us, we still lose the race.
Powerful and Well Written July 14, 2008
This is an outstanding book that should be required reading for American students and I would certainly recommend it for business professionals. It is really information that would be beneficial for anyone seeking useful knowledge. The world has certainly gotten smaller and no country is isolated in our new world. The facts discussed in the book are well documented and the conclusions are logical. I am sure anyone reading this book will get significant value and food for thought regarding how you will see the world in the future. Reading this book will be well worth the effort.
Wake up call for the USofA July 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Deinitely worth reading. The author's style is clear and concise and the content hits at a number of contemporary issues for the world and the USA in particular. While many people are trying to peer forward into the future of the US as an economic and political power, the view is murky at best. Zakaria does a nice job of removing the haze and increasing the contrast so the reader can imagine some of what the future may hold. Much to his credit, he balances optimism and pessimism from the US point of view so that you can see the US has choices in how it proceeds.
I was surprised at the brevity of the book when I purchased it, expecting something closer to 500 pages than 250. If Mr. Zacharia decides to elaborate on this book, I would be sure to buy his next one based on this one.
One interesting point in the book is that America stands to be the victim of her own success. Having promoted capitalism and democracy, it has also enabled other countries to become better competitors. The country is now wondering how to deal with the new world order it has helped fashion where the law of unintended consequences is at work. It is hard to imagine a world in which the new slogan is "We are not #1!"
Toward the end, Zakaria draws a clear distinction between economic and political capability for the US. He is optimistic about our ability to adapt economically, but less so about our political ability to deal with both internal and external threats (Social Security and stateless terrorism). On this point he is frighteningly accurate. If Congress was a product and Republicans and Democrats were brands, the entire mess would have been replaced by better competitors. Read between Zakaria's lines and you realize this political duopoly is squandering resources and ignoring responsibilities. Whatever your political affiliation, the breadth of Zakaria's insights about today's world will keep you interested from beginning to end. Buy it.
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