Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 129
 An exercise in geopolitical critical thinking August 7, 2009
J. Robinson (NY, NY USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found the book to be an interesting read, centered primarily on the strategic imperatives of nations. Clearly, any long-range forecasting needs to be taken with a grain of salt, Still, if you don't get bogged down on the specifics/details while reading this book but instead focus on the application of critical thinking and thoughtful evaluation about how - and why - countries make decisions, you will find it of value.
Friedman is right about the central themes and policies of the US and many other nations. How it will all play out is hard to say, but understanding the geopolitical rationales of various key players will change forever how you view news from around the globe.
A Considered Work August 6, 2009
Colin Taber (Australia)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
An intriguing book that doesn't just speculate, but explains the framework for the forecasts made. Broken into easy to read sections, it is a window on the future, it hung on known currents facts, historical contexts, while also pulling on a host of social sciences to suggest future flash points, problems, and possible directions for the US and world at large.
Some of the scenarios suggested seem quite unlikely at first glance, but following the line of logic explained by the author, it soon becomes apparent that such things are not just possible, but perhaps in one guise or another certain to come to pass. That in itself proves the value of the book.
A fascinating and considered read.
 Fantastic! August 3, 2009
W. Fisher
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Most books that forecast future events seem a bit contrived to me, not so with this. Well thought out, very logical and thought provoking. This book caused me to rethink many of my set beliefs and look at the modern world in a different way. If you enjoy thinking about geopolitical and economic events, buy this book. It is a keeper that I will re-read again in the future which makes it one of very few books in this genre that I can say that about.
 interesting but missing something August 2, 2009
Brian J. Jungwiwattanaporn (bangkok, thailand)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
George Friedman's company, STRATFOR, consistently releases excellent analysis of world events and global trends, and I thought his previous work, "America's Secret War," continued his trend of thought provoking inquiry. A book based on predicting the next 100 years of history is ambitious and Friedman' analysis is interesting. He challenges the reader to ignore common sense and instead view countries through their constraints and potential responses. From these tools he extrapolates a vivid imagining of the future's potential history. His scenario plays upon the continued dominance of the United States and its contention with regional powers such as Japan, Poland, and Turkey. Although it is speculation, Friedman bases his prediction on the geopolitical priorities of countries. I especially liked his breakdown of U.S. priorities, and his recounting of U.S. history into 50 year cycles of economic and political development. His excursion on the future of war and its technology is fantastical at times, but it serves as a reminder of how military planners think, which was new to me. Friedman grounds many of his speculations in realistic assumptions about how nation states may act, and presents a very 'big-picture' view of the world.
Friedman's analysis and focus on the 'big picture' however leaves out many potential variables. I enjoyed his discussions on geography and demographics, but India only warranted a short paragraph in the middle of the book. Africa is not mentioned to which I must assume he believes it may be inconsequential, which reflects current foreign policy biases. Furthermore, given the rise of non-state actors and transnational issues such as organised crime, disease, multi-lateralism, etc. as policy priorities, it would have been nice to see them addressed. Friedman believes they may not be in the scope of his predictions which look at long term motivations, but these, including leadership, have the potential to change the course of history in a country. Climate change was address as an afterthought in the final two pages of the book, and Friedman states that technology will be the deciding factor in solving the issue. Friedman focuses on the nation-state and realism is his under-lying philosophy.This of course discounts other constructivist and neo-liberal view points of the world which may have informed the reader on the variety of possibilities in the international arena. The book is interesting, but Friedman's narrow take on how history is being made left me feeling that he left out important ingredients that could have influenced his predictions.
 take with a very large grain of salt August 1, 2009
Richard Nash Creel (NC, USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The author claims that Japan's economy is the second largest on earth, although the World Almanac gives China's as $7 trillion and Japan's as $4.3 trillion. Is he wrong or just out of date. A writer who can't get something this basic right doesn't deserve my respect nor trust, plus he is far too confident about the future of the US, given its proclivity for running up enormous figures of debt. Demographic figures should suggest to any serious readers/students of the world in the 21st century, that the First World is headed for a great collapse, while it is being invaded (other than Japan, at least for now) by the Third. To anticipate that life here and in Europe will continue along as usual is just plain stupidity, and indicates a refusal to heed the warnings. The US doesn't have to go to war with Mexico; it (America) will collapse and disintegrate. Turkey as a power? There are a lot of other possibilities, but I look for a new world order whose center is in East Asia, and the rest of the planet will fare well or not to the extent that it produces raw materials needed all over. The Next 100 Years is so much pulp fiction and not even entertaining. Leave it to the recyclers!
Showing reviews 21-25 of 129
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