Friedman was so inspired by a trip to bangalore, india, that he wrote the book the world is flat, a brief history of the twentyfirst century. A brief history of the twentyfirst century is an international bestselling book by thomas l. My thoughts on thomas friedmans the world is flat mark. In her introduction to graham greenes the quiet american, zadie smith says of. Friedmans account of the great changes taking place in our time, as lightningswift advances in technology and communications put people all over the globe in touch as never beforecreating an explosion of wealth in india and china, and challenging the rest of us to run even faster just to stay in place. I think thomas friedmans observations about what american politicians need to do to lead the u. The world is flat is a window to friedmans account of the new world coming toward usa world that is growing at a speed of an express train. This change has started only recently but is claimed to be in the pace never seen before in the history. Friedman believes that this flattening of the world is the result of ten factors, which he outlines in chapter 2 of his book.
The phrase is that of a bangalorebased captain of industry. The title is a metaphor for viewing the world as a level playing field in terms of commerce, wherein all competitors have an equal opportunity. For this updated and expanded edition, friedman has seen his own book in a new way, bringing fresh stories and insights to help us understand the flattening of the world. Thomas friedmans the world is flat essay 1031 words. Globalization is probably the most debated topic in contemporary global market in recent decades and the use of the term grew exponentially as the planet braced to welcome twenty first century. How to fix a power adapter warning battery may not charge dell laptop computer duration. A brief history of the twentyfirst century is a nonfiction book by thomas l. Friedman is an internationally renowned author, reporter, and, columnistthe recipient of three pulitzer prizes and the author of six bestselling books, among them from beirut to jerusalem and the world is flat. It emphasized the work level playing field with 1st world countries and third world countries by telecommunication channels. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or. Friedman demystifies this brave new flat world, allowing readers to make sense of the often bewildering scene unfolding before their eyes, and helping them to understand what it all means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals. Thomas friedm the world is flat 1021 words 5 pages. Friedmans gloss, which seems merely rhetorical at first but turns out to have some legs, is. The world is flat is a timely and essential update on globalization, its successes and discontents, powerfully illuminated by one of our most respected journalists.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Globalization is the greatest reorganization of the world since the industrial revolution, says aronica. Thomas friedman, the world is flat my education vision. I certainly feel more informed after reading friedmans book than i ever did before reading it, but he could have made his points in 200 less pages. First half of the first decade of the new century saw the launch thomas l. A brief history of the twentyfirst century is a book about the impacts of globalization in the beginning.
One mark of a great book is that it makes you see things in a new way, and mr. Aronica and ramdoo conclude by listing over twenty. A brief history of the twentyfirst century by now, most folks have probably heard about the latest book by celebrated author thomas friedman, the world is flat. A brief history of the twentyfirst century is nothing short of astonishing. Understanding globalization, provided much of the intellectual framework for the debate. The world is flat by thomas friedman america and the flat world. The world is flat thomas friedman designed by jonathan d. In the world is flat, friedman takes a fresh look at the interconnectedness of the modern world, and explores. Friedman argues that freetrade policy must be accompanied by both. From this, we can see that a flat world is one in which the playing field on which companies compete has become level. The broad message for this section of the book is that while protectionism would be counterproductive, a policy of free trade, while necessary, is not enough by itself. Thomas friedman the world is flat introduction tom, the playing field is being levelled, and you americans are not ready for it these words by nandan nilekani, the former ceo of infosys proved to be the basis of the book the world is flat by thomas friedman. Why we need a green revolution and how it can renew america.
Thomas friedmans new book, thank you for being late, gives you a much better idea of the forces that are upending your world. The book is a wideranging examination of globalization at the turn of. On 11989, the berlin wall fell the walls came down and the citizens of the former. In thomas friedmans book the world is flat, what is it to. Friedman certainly succeeds in that goal, the nobel laureate joseph e. It was first published in 2005 and was updated with two new editions in 2006 and 2007. The authors point to the fact that there isnt a single table or data footnote in friedmans entire book. First published in 2005 by farrar, straus and giroux, its since sold more than 4 million copies and picked up numerous accolades along the way, including a business book of the year award from the financial times.
A brief history of the 21st century is a nonfiction book regarding business, recent history concerning globalization and its implications in the information age, and current affairs pertaining to the resulting effect, which friedman calls the flattening of the world. This updated and expanded edition features more than a. Friedmans book the world is flat is a treatise on the way geopolitics, communications, technology and the worlds complex economic infrastructure have evolved over the centuries. Now friedman brings a fresh outlook to the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition. Much has been written and about this book and it can be read elsewhere, but what fascinated me was friedmans suggestions for the skills and attitudes needed in the flat world and it is this book that triggered in me a desire to learn more about current thinking on the skills and attitudes that should be taught in schools. As the first edition cover illustration indicates, the title. Friedmans book on globalization named the world is flat. Friedman includes fresh stories and insights to help us understand the flattening of the world. But friedmans image of a flat earth is profoundly misleading a view of the world from a seat in business class. Thomas friedman provides it in the title the world is flat. In this book, the author travelled to india and met up with entrepreneurs who are serving the needs of 1st world country united.
Add in friedmans winning firstperson interjections and masterful use of strategic wonksterisms, and this book should end up on the front seats of. Thomas loren friedman was born in minneapolis, minnesota, on july 20, 1953, and grew up in the middleclass minneapolis suburb of st. The world is flat is filled with the kind of close reporting and intimate yet accessible analysis that have been hard to come by. Economic and cultural changes are causing a flattening of the economy. Friedman speaks about drastic changes that have occurred in the last fifteen years or so events that have leveled the global playing field. The world is flat is an essential update on globalization, its discontents and its successes. The world is flat by thomas friedman 2005 is globalization in early 21st century. Lets take a brief look at friedmans bestseller, the world is flat. Friedmans remarks come at a united way of greater new haven conference including friedmans book the world is flat. Friedman includes fresh stories and insights to help us. Flatness is another way of describing the transnational search by companies for cheap labor, an image that misses the pervasiveness of global inequality and the fact that much of the developing world remains mired in poverty and. The world is flat is an historical and geographical journey, with stories and anecdotes from the days of columbus to a modern day indian call center. It is one in which companies from various countries can compete with one another on an equal basis. He makes the claim that the world is flat, or rather, has become flattened by the various forces of globalization, and that this flatness is a characteristic that it is here to stay.