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 enlarge | Author: Fareed Zakaria
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $15.23
You Save: $10.72 (41%)
New (44) Used (12) Collectible (2) from $15.23
Avg. Customer Rating:  88 reviews
Sales Rank: 32
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
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 The World We Live In July 17, 2008
I heard Mr. Zakaria speak last fall at a college here in Michigan. I found him to be a compelling speaker with an important message. He has fleshed out the thoughts and ideas he shared with us that day in a clear, concise book. Mr. Zakaria immigrated to the US from India in the early 1980's to attend college. He poses a true world view. He builds a strong, well thought out case for what he feels will be the political and economic structure of the next century. His writing is not tinged with Red or Blue partisan agendas. It is clear, well researched attempt to illustrate the obstacles and opportunities facing us in the decades ahead. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BOOK!!
We Will Live in a Post-American World July 16, 2008
Zakaria's book hits the nail on the head with his research and analysis of the current global power struggle and the future in which we are all rapidly entering. Unlike many people, however, Zakaria is still fairly bullish on the United States and its place in the world, although he rightfully acknowledges the many challenges the country faces presently. The first third of the book focuses on the Western World and how Britain and the U.S. have dominated and shaped the global order in the past two centuries. He follows with a chapter on China, which he dubs the Challenger. Other countries are mentioned, but China takes up most of the author's ideas when thinking of the impending post-American world. Of course the author's native land of India receives its appropriate analysis as well and is referred to as the ally of the U.S. Zakaria also thoughtfully discusses similarities between the rise, peak and decline of Britain and the U.S., which makes for interesting reading.
One point the author emphasizes is that unlike much of Europe and Japan, immigration appears to be a key factor for the U.S. in saving it from declining populations and shortage of labor. Immigrants have always provided the United States with economic growth and innovation, and the future will be no different. In fact, immigration must continue for the U.S. to remain where it is today in the years to come. In a world where almost anyone can now obtain the know how and access to goods and services in an effort to become more competitive, more innovative and harder working, staying on top of the world will become exceedingly more difficult, even for the United States. If we are to do it as an American people, changes are needed. Understanding this book is an excellent starting place.
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.
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