|  | Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
List Price: $27.95
Buy Used: $1.55
as of 11/22/2009 14:46 CST details
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Seller: hanks-used-books
Rating:  245 reviews
Sales Rank: 752
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 448
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.7 x 1.4
ISBN: 0374166854
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.58
EAN: 9780374166854
ASIN: 0374166854
Publication Date: September 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: PLEASE READ! We list all of our books as acceptable. We sell used library books in various conditions. We do not sell unreadable books. All of our books are in acceptable or better condition but we cannot check each book for every flaw. For that reason all books are listed as acceptable. These are not new books so buy accordingly.
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Showing reviews 16-20 of 245
 Hot, Flat and Crowded August 23, 2009
AMarks (Jamaica Plain, MA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Provocative, thoughtful and containing as much research that one book can possibly handle, Friedman makes a compelling argument about America's future and how we can save our planet from destruction.
An emergency Call and a Repair Tool August 15, 2009
Birte Gam-jensen (Denmark)
Yet another emergency call to a world which does not seem very much inclined to protect the environment or the future. Thomas Friedmann mentions several main problems: An increasing demand for energy supplies, a massive transfer of wealth to the countries rich on oil, the climate change, the influence lack of energy will have sociologically and an accelerating loss of biodiversity.
In the first part of the book the author describes the causes of the problems as well as the results if we do not change our behavior. And the second part of the book describes a scenario where oil dependence is reduced and how to change our old fashioned growth centered economies. That is how to carry out a green revolution.
An entertaining and informative book about the possibilities of healthy changes written in a direct and humorous language. However, it is slightly disappointing that the Danish Minister of the Environment is mentioned with admiration for an increase in the production of windmills and the energy cost system in Denmark which are indeed very small progress in terms of environment. Hopefully the alleged admiration does not indicate that the USA is far behind in its environmental behavior.
 Milking the surge of liberalism in 2008 August 14, 2009
Thrasher (Iowa)
10 out of 22 found this review helpful
I liked Friedman's earlier work, "The World is Flat" so I unthinkingly bought this book. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I want my money back. Since the chances of that occurring are nill, I'll get my justice by waiting for Friedman's next book until the used paperbacks are at garage sales.
The book is disorganized. The editing is poor. The logic is disconnected and fragmented.
I think I can speculate as to how this book came to be published. Friedman wanted to ride the wave of liberalism that was sweeping America in early 2008. Voters were entranced by Obama and there was an opportunity to cash in.
To make money, the book had to be published by mid-2008. Friedman was behind schedule so the book was rushed to market.
How else would you explain it when Friedman writes that he is convinced about the dangers of global warming because his spring flowers came up early, because of hurricane Katrina, and because Al Gore says so? This is science? Freidman should keep his day job.
Early in the book he cites a number of energy alternative solutions but does not mention nuclear energy. I accepted that and kept reading assuming that I was going to come to the chapter that dissed nuke energy. Then I got to page 264 and voila, he mentions nuclear energy and says it might be a viable alternative!
Friedman also put this book together by starting with its conclusion FIRST and then adding his "research". Done the other way, he might have come to the conclusion that the underlying global issue is overpopulation and argue for solutions to this issue. That might have broken some new ground but he never came to that conclusion. He takes population growth as a given because that exaggerates the arguments for his pre-conceived conclusion, which is the need for government intervention in the world of energy--taxes, of course, but not tax credits to influence consumer behavior.
At another point he argues at length for is the need for a new "internet" for energy so appliances and such can become intelligent devices. Tom; WiFi, Blue Tooth are already here and all sorts of devices can already talk with each other over the existing internet. Maybe he was inspired by Al Gore and wanted to invent one of his own.
Another aspect of this book that grates on me is the use of the term "denier". Anyone who questions the science of global warming is labeled a denier. How can we have science if we can't ask questions? Why is it important to call people names? This reeks of cover-up for a logic fallacy and its presence in Friedman's book denigrates his efforts.
Sorry Tom but you can't disappoint me this way and expect me to continue to be your customer. Future sales are always more valuable than current sales and you've sacrificed the future for the present with me.
An argument for green revolution August 14, 2009
Mariusz Skonieczny (ClassicValueInvestors.blogspot.com)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I think that this book present very compelling arguments. The author argues that we need a green revolution and that green technology is the next big thing. He doesn't know which country will lead it, but it has to happen. As the world population grows along with the increase in the global middle class, there is a tremendous pressure places on natural resources such as oil, coal, and gas. If we think that $3 gasoline is expensive, this is nothing in comparison to what the price will be in the future. It becomes increasingly difficult to find more oil reserves. Some might argue that we need to drill more, especially off-shore. But according to the author, this is only a temporary and not a long-term solution. The amount of natural resources is shrinking as the demand is going up. This is not a pretty picture.
Obviously something has to be done, but first we need to stop being in denial, and this book get definitely convince anyone that we have a problem.
- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market
A must-read August 3, 2009
N. Perz (St. Louis)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Great book. I don't give out 5 stars often but I think HFaC is a must-read for anyone with a serious interest in what's going to happen to this planet (and to us) in the next 50 years. (And if you don't have any interest, then what's the matter with you?...)
Friedman looks at the issue from perspectives I had never considered before. Despite the potential to be all gloom-and-doom, Friedman is actually pretty positive that we can get out of the hole we've dug for ourselves. Most "Green" writings seem to be anti-Capitalist and anti-consumption but HFaC is just the opposite: the Market (with incentives and guidance) can actually be the vehicle for becoming divorced from the carbon-economy. Anyway, I could go on but, in short: HFaC is a well-done and thought-inspiring book. Buy a copy today.
Highly recommended!
Showing reviews 16-20 of 245
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