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4 out of 5
by
Erik
from
Seattle, WA | Oct 11, 2008
Much as Michael Pollan’s In the Defense of Food was a logical sequel to The Omnivore’s Dilemma, this latest current affairs book by Friedman is the logical next-step after reading The World is Flat, Friedman’s last treatise on the nature of a post-industrial world in which brain-power and a better educated populace will define the future of the world. In this passionately articulated follow-up, Friedman details and argues for a green revolution that needs to take hold of America if it hopes to remain the world’s leader in innovation. He appeals to our sense of pride by stoking our collective ego for being the model of innovation -- rather than admonishing us for our real and imagined ill ways – by vigorously arguing that we can remain number one if we would only put aside short-sighted politics.
Although he is clearly a man that looks at the world with a sense that the glass if half full, one cannot help but think that any denial of man’s impact on the planet – think of VP contender Sarah Palin’s purposeful avoidance of implicating humans as the cause of global warming – will stymie any of the much-needed structural and organizational change that Friedman so passionately argues for. Strategic tax incentives and increased research and development for renewable energy resources that don’t produce CO2, heightened consumer and civic awareness of our dilemma, and well as a more rigorous change in our consumption habits are on his menu of must-dos.
Although his detailed explanations can be long-winded – if he were a politician, fact-checkers would have field-day with his plethora of information -- his ardent and urgent call to action is much needed in this time of shallow “green awareness”. You know what I mean: the increasingly ridiculous commodification of everything labeled “green” so that you can’t tell a phony from the real-deal. As Friedman argues, it will take more than some belt-tightening, but rather some major cognitive dissonance and economic overhaul if we in the industrialized world are to batten down the hatches (so to speak) and fundamentally change our politics so that our economy can change and grow. Which is also saying a lot considering the dismal state our country is in right now. (Can it get any worse? I certainly hope not.)
Even though I would normally feel that much of what Friedman posits would be ignored by the administration that we’ve been putting up with during these last eight years, it’s encouraging to know that he has an ally with the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, Barack Obama. Yes, things can change. And likely will, if current poll trends hold.
4 people found this review helpful
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3 out of 5
by
Hannah
from
Columbus, OH | Dec 17, 2008
http://www.nypress.com/article-19285-how...
I'm not sure I've ever read a more redundant author. Although Friedman has some great things to say, it's buried under some not-so-great writing. I haven't read his other books, but I think Friedman does better under the limits of newspaper columns: out of the book's 400+ pages, approximately half of those are simply to restate what he said before.
His pop-y, Wiki-citing style is not exactly my thing, either, and the book feels precariously balanced between an academic facts and figures text and an accessible (dumbed down) look at the intersections between climate and economy.
The first 200 pages or so will probably feel torturously slow for anyone who already knows anything about climate change, dislikes George Bush's policies and wants to see government prioritize the environment...which basically describes Friedman's audience. The arguments he makes, especially his call to redefine climate change as a patriotic responsibility, will be obvious to those reading, and will never be read by the other half of America. Oh, the irony!
Thankfully, however, the last third of the book felt more informational and necessary, so I'm glad I waded through the beginning.
6 people found this review helpful
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5 out of 5
by
Ray
from
Oceanside, CA | Oct 19, 2008
Not a quick read to take to the beach on a summer afternoon, but the topic and ideas presented are too important to ignore. People sometimes quickly dismiss books about environmental issues, assuming it will lead to the condemning of science, technology, and societal advances, instead proposing a regression toward a simpler 1800's style lifestyle. What makes the book different to me is that Friedman has researched and described solutions which exist, have been proven, make both environmental as well as economic sense. In 2008, the U.S. has faced significant downturns in the housing market, the stock market, banking, a continuing energy crisis, volatile and soaring gasoline prices, Detroit now stuck with 20th century vehicles no longer suitable for the 21st century, soaring budget deficits, and a do-nothing Congress locked in ideological finger pointing. Perhaps the culmination of all these problems arising at the same time is that the public will read this book and clamor for solutions. Hopefully, elected officials will also read this book, recognize the seriousness of these problems, think Nationally vs. Regionally, recognize the solutions which are available, and lead vs. react to crises in energy and environmental areas, and enact solutions similar to those offered in Friedman's book.
4 people found this review helpful
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1 out of 5
by
Ian
from
Gainesville, FL | Oct 22, 2008
I haven't finished this book, but I feel like there are a few examples that if I don't get down, I will forget, and they illustrate how I feel about this book well.
First off, I'd like to mention that if this was a fiction book, it would get one star. Having recently ventured into the nonfiction category more and more, and having been so pleased with Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, and Bob Woodward, I took a recommendation and bought this hefty little bugger.
What I wasn't expecting is that the style would make a big difference. Like I mentioned, if this was fiction, it would get one star—but as a nonfiction book, at least the information is good. The problem is that Friedman's writing style is so repetitive, boastfully clever, and patronizing, that it's really hard to read.
A couple of quick examples:
"'Green is not simply a new form of generating electric power,' added Rothkopf. 'It is a new form of generating national power—period.'
"Let me repeat that: Green is not simply a new form of generating electric power. It is a new form of generating national power—period."
Now, repetition can be useful in song lyrics and poetry, but even then there's often at least some form of distance between repetitions or a variation. This just made my eyes immediately glaze over. What makes you think I didn't get it the first time?
This sort of patronizing tone is repeated again and again, most notably when he quotes a report on cow's flatulence and belching causing methane build-up. His quote includes helpful brackets after the word "regurgitate[spit-up:]". Now, I know some people aren't college educated. But I really think anyone reading this book is going to already know what regurgitate means.
The other major problem I had was that he really seems to think his clever little turns of phrase are so great that he can use them again and again and again until you want to bash your own face in with a hammer. The name of the book is "Hot, Flat, and Crowded," referring to rising temperature, globalizations of markets, and overpopulation. But whenever he makes a reference to globalization, he feels like he has to say "flattening". It sounds stupid. I'm glad you have a clever title, Tom, but that doesn't mean you have to write in newspeak.
I guess I'll update this once I finish it. Like I said, the info is good, I just find his style personally offensive.
4 people found this review helpful
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4 out of 5
by
brian
from
Afton, WY | Sep 19, 2008
I thought I would have questions about a journalist's ability to effectively write on the subject of sustainability (given that he cut his teeth on the Middle East) -- but that presupposition proved false. I thought perhaps Friedman's attempt would get bogged down by anecdote, too encumbered with trying to prove his point -- but here too he did not fail. And yet in the end I fear the warning bell he wishes to ring will not be heard by enough... or rather will not move enough of us, create enough inertia, to be meaningful. Oddly enough I dont blame Friedman or his book though. I'm not sure what the call to action would take on this topic.
There is a lot of meat in this book within which to sink your teeth... a lot to discuss (as I did in a book group) and a lot to make you think, especially about our impact on Earth both as humans and as Americans.
One of the most interesting tidbits for me, though not mentioned once by Mr Friedman, is the choice (his?) of Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights on the cover. Fascinating pick given the subject matter.
2 people found this review helpful