The World Is Flat

Further Updated and Expanded

By: Thomas L. Friedman

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

When scholars write the history of the world twenty years from now, what will they say was the most crucial development in the first few years of the twenty-first century? The attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 and the Iraq war? Or the convergence of technology and events that allowed India, China, and so many other countries to become part of the global supply chain for services and manufacturing, creating an explosion of wealth in the middle classes of the world's two biggest nations? And with this "flattening" of the globe, has the world gotten too small and too fast for human beings and their political systems to adjust in a stable manner?

©2007 Thomas L. Friedman (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

“Excellent...[This book's] insight is true and deeply important... The metaphor of a flat world, used by Friedman to describe the next phase of globalization, is ingenious.” —Fareed Zakaria, The New York Times Book Review (cover review)

“Captivating . . . an enthralling read. To his great credit, Friedman embraces much of his flat world's complexity, and his reporting brings to vibrant life some beguiling characters and trends. . . . [The World is Flat] is also more lively, provocative, and sophisticated than the overwhelming bulk of foreign policy commentary these days. We've no real idea how the twenty-first century's history will unfold, but this terrifically stimulating book will certainly inspire readers to start thinking it all through.” —Warren Bass, The Washington Post

“No one today chronicles global shifts in simple and practical terms quite like Friedman. He plucks insights from his travels and the published press that can leave you spinning like a top. Or rather, a pancake.” —Clayton Jones, The Christian Science Monitor

A must read to understand the future

The author keeps the book updated each year and helps you much better under the "behind the scenes" dynamics driving the multi-national economy we are in now and will be even more in soon. YOu need to know this for your children and maybe even for your own near term future.

Goodstuff

The content is excellent, the voice alterations are unnecessary and a bit odd. overall good listen and highly suggest this, more so for those with limited knowledge on offshoring, in sourcing and outsourcing.

Eye opening

What made the experience of listening to The World Is Flat the most enjoyable?

I was assigned this book but found it very interesting and informative.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Which scene was your favorite?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

everyone needs to read this book

This is an important book for anyone that cares about the future of the world economy, and about our own economy, and about their own job, or job for their children. Which really should be everyone! Not a feel-good book, but a wake-up call book about what we need to do individually and as a country to be competitive in the 21st century.

10 Flatteners are 10 things you already know

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People that lived under a rock since 1980 might enjoy this book.

What was most disappointing about Thomas L. Friedman’s story?

Everything.

What aspect of Oliver Wyman’s performance would you have changed?

Performance is fine.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The World Is Flat?

This book is done. Past its time.

Any additional comments?

If you know that someone in India can do your job because it is digital, you know 90% of this book.

gps

Audio enhanced file is not compatible with my Garmin 660 device. I wish I would have known that before I wasted a download.

Insightful

Interesting and very insightful.