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 enlarge | Author: Fareed Zakaria
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $14.78
You Save: $11.17 (43%)
New (56) Used (18) Collectible (1) from $14.78
Avg. Customer Rating:  144 reviews
Sales Rank: 82
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.6 x 6.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 039306235X
Dewey Decimal Number: 303.49
EAN: 9780393062359
ASIN: 039306235X
Publication Date: May 5, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Trenchant Analysis of American Challenges and Opportunities September 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Fareed Zakaria offers a sharp and insightful perspective of American problems, challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. An over-arching theme is that America has little reason to panic and that it still remains a predominant global force. Having said that, the global scene is sufficiently dynamic that new powers - including China and India - are emerging.
Zakaria thus refutes any neo-Spenglerian notion of the "decline of the West" or those historians who compare America with the Roman Empire, tracing an inevitable demise. Failure and decline is not preordained, but neither is it impossible.
Zakaria closes with a list of specific recommendations that he feels the United States must embrace in order to function effectively in a "post-American world." He is neither a cheerleader for nor a condemner of the United States.
Cogently argued and thought-provoking!
So far so great! September 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm barely through the second chapter and am already bragging all my new knowledge to coworkers! I had been feeling buried in all the news of foreign economies, Iraq war details, etc...this book is already sorting it out.
 Should be required reading for all US voters September 22, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
A very valuable read for all Americans. In this country, we generally understand less about the world than most other countries. Part of it is due to our sole "superpower" status. Most Americans speak only English. "Why should we learn about cultures - we're the top dog" goes the argument. Unfortunately this lack of understanding can hurt us economically which can ultimately lead to the decline of the our Empire (lets face it - there is a US Empire). Zakaria does readers a great service by teaching them about the forces and changes in the world. Through this understanding, we, through our government will be able to react to future world events (terrorism, economic disasters, etc...) in a more thoughtful and effective manner. If the citizens of the world's only superpower do not understand what is going on then fear will take over (as it has over the past 7 years thanks to the encouragement of the Bush administration). Fear will lead us to make poor decisions that will ultimately harm us more than the original insult. Whether we are liberal or conservative, therefore we owe it to ourselves to better understand the world around us.
Zakaria's 8 year old boy asked his Dad, " Why do you want to write a book about the future? If you're wrong, people won't buy the book anymore." A funny quote but it does not accurately describe Zakaria's book. He does not predict what will happen in the future. I don't believe anybody can predict the future. What he does do is make policy suggestions so that we can better control our destiny. In addition his insights and historical points are invaluable to readers. Highly recommended.
All US politicians should read this before making wild guesses about us vs. them. September 22, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This could be a very important book, if the current crop of pres idential candidates ever read it. The author is a senior writer at Newsweekand the editor of Newsweek International. For those of us who watch the international stage this book is a telling indictment of how much GW bush has squandered what little remained of US good will internationally. Theauthor presents some hopeful ideas however of how this could be turned around, so that the the US, unlike Britain and its empire, does not undermine its own leadership position worldwide. His chapters on China and India are very insightful. It strikes me as a balanced, optimistic and well researched book, full of worldly details. He does ask that there be a sea change in US culture , to resist hunkering down and unilaterally forcing all other countries to the US position. Above all to be curious about the World, to listen to others, not pander to temporary political winds, resist fear, get its confidence back. Fort an academic style of book this was an easy almost to the point of engrossing read. You cannot help but learn a lot about the World, to counter Fox and CNN views.
A Soothing Wake-Up Call September 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The most telling passage in this highly readable book is that over the last 60 years America has succeeded only too well in its historic and laudable mission of globalizing the world. But if we don't act with a sense of urgency now, the author is afraid that future historians may be forced into writing that, in the process of globalizing the world America forgot to globalize itself.
As others have pointed out, the world is flat, and has gone from being a stable pedestal breakfast table to an unbalanced banquet table with atleast four legs. In this new world, America is faced with sharing the stage with the other partners at the table and must continue to provide leadership as we head into the 21st century. Perhaps Audrey Hepburn said it best when she quipped that the best way to remain thin is to share your food with those who need it more. It applies as much to the other, major emerging powers as it does to America with their respective core competencies.
But the time to act is now and the book has many constructive suggestions which the new framework can draw upon to help the country compete more effectively in this new global economy.
A good optimistic read for anyone who was beginning to doubt that the future would not be what it used to be.
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