Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution -- and How It Can Renew America
by Thomas L. FriedmanSign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
| topics | replies | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You can get an excerpt of this online right now... | 1 | 37 | 08/06/2008 09:05AM |
groups with this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1764)
bookshelves:
economics,
essays,
technology,
to-read
I read Friedman's column in the NYT so this may not be completely new, still...
"Friedman is skeptical of treaties, and he argues that "a truly green America would be more valuable than fifty Kyoto Protocols. Emulation is always more effective than compulsion." He makes a good case that "outgreening" other countries would contribute to America's soft power as well as our hard power. "We are still the city on the hill for many Chinese," he notes, "even tho...more
"Friedman is skeptical of treaties, and he argues that "a truly green America would be more valuable than fifty Kyoto Protocols. Emulation is always more effective than compulsion." He makes a good case that "outgreening" other countries would contribute to America's soft power as well as our hard power. "We are still the city on the hill for many Chinese," he notes, "even tho...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
bookshelves:
science
Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone who cares about America's Economy
Every time I hear Thomas Friedman speak, I feel energized and excited. He always has an interesting take on innovation and change, and something of a positive attitude, while never resembling a Dr. Pangloss.
Friedman advocates America dedicating itself to solving environmental problems not just for reasons of stewardship or global warming, but because he fervently believes that environmental innovation can renew the American economy and it's standing in the world. It is a reasonable hypothe...more
Friedman advocates America dedicating itself to solving environmental problems not just for reasons of stewardship or global warming, but because he fervently believes that environmental innovation can renew the American economy and it's standing in the world. It is a reasonable hypothe...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
A very intersting read by Thomas Freidman. We always enjoy reading his op-eds and other publications, because he writes so well, even if we may disagree with some of his premises and arguements.
He addresses "energy crisis" concepts of course, and is definately a champion of living "green" as it were, which I think as far as our personal stewardship of the Earth is a pretty darn smart thing. He shares some interesting correlations between the global oil trade and equal...more
He addresses "energy crisis" concepts of course, and is definately a champion of living "green" as it were, which I think as far as our personal stewardship of the Earth is a pretty darn smart thing. He shares some interesting correlations between the global oil trade and equal...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
bookshelves:
non-fiction
Read in September, 2008
This book is as disturbing as the 1972 John Brunner novel, "The Sheep Look Up." Unfortunately, this is not fiction. The unrelenting build up of ominous doom, found me compulsively reading on, hoping for relief. I found the first third of the book profoundly disturbing. The author ends by offering some hope and some possible "Code Green" solutions that are worth exploring.
Final word: Read this in bright sunshine...
Final word: Read this in bright sunshine...
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
bookshelves:
to-read
Friedman was in our office to have a chat with us this week, and no matter what you think of his political or economic views, there is no denying his brilliance. Also, he has developed that book tour knack of speaking about issues in sound bites taken from his book. At any rate, his main theme -- that America can remain a world power only by leading the way on green technology -- is worth exploring.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
2 comments
Friedman presents the argument that America must engage in green revolution to rescue the world from a key set of problems posed by global warming, globalization, and overpopulation, in order to save itself from the isolation of its post-9/11 "defensive crouch."
Friedman's earnest coining of phrases can get a bit annoying -- he's throwing potential trademarks at the wall to see what sticks. He makes his points repetitively, which can get tedious -- especially for readers who are al...more
Friedman's earnest coining of phrases can get a bit annoying -- he's throwing potential trademarks at the wall to see what sticks. He makes his points repetitively, which can get tedious -- especially for readers who are al...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2008
I was really looking forward to this book since I loved Thomas L. Friedman's The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, and am interested in environmental and energy science. I was disappointed, however, by the time I finished the book.
Friedman explains the current state of the planet as hot (due to...more
Friedman explains the current state of the planet as hot (due to...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
Not a sequel to The World is Flat, but builds on many of the same premises. After making a case for why we need to address the energy and climate issues, he builds the case for why the U.S. must take the lead in addressing these issues and the negative consequences if we let other countries (read "China") do it. As always, Friedman presents sound analysis with typical repetition in his writing style (not his substance). I do enjoy his writing; he is one of the few commentators or an...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
With over half of the book dedicated to “How We Move Forward,” we want to believe Thomas Friedman’s newest meta-analysis of the modern world will finally offer up the illusive key to solving the global climate and energy crisis.
Friedman’s vision opposes the fatalism of Huxley and Orwell, insisting that the answer to our predicament is technological innovation. He believes change is possible and should be embraced as a political and economic public relations tactic. This is our opportun...more
Friedman’s vision opposes the fatalism of Huxley and Orwell, insisting that the answer to our predicament is technological innovation. He believes change is possible and should be embraced as a political and economic public relations tactic. This is our opportun...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
bookshelves:
currently-reading,
non-fiction,
own
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...more
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...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
concerned citizens
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 a...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
bookshelves:
eco,
general-nonfiction,
to-read
I don't always agree with Thomas Friedman, but I am sure this book will add to the dialogue - for that reason, I want to read it. Looking forward to the review in the Washington Post Book World tomorrow...
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
bookshelves:
currently-reading
Read in January, 2008
This book is a manifesto for what I hope we can declare as the Obama era after tomorrow (Nov 4, 2008). Friedman skillfully weaves together an argument that links energy independence to international diplomacy and security as well as renewed and robust economic vitality for the USA. It's a book a Republican businessperson, if even slightly open minded, could love. In his ability to weave hugely disparate policy areas into a cogent narrative, he's a brilliant thinker. And a passionate moralist who...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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 hope...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2008
This should be mandatory reading for President-Elect Obama! With so much of our money going to petro-dictators who are not our friends, we need the Federal government to step up to the plate, realize that global warming is ruining the Earth and do something about it NOW! The Big Oil lobby has been running this country for far too long. We tax sugarcane ethanol from Brazil at 54 cents per gallon, while only taxing Saudi oil 1.25 cents per gallon! The House approved tax credits for renewable energ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
bookshelves:
audiblecom
Read in October, 2008
Narrated by Oliver Wyman
21 Hours
Publisher's Summary
Thomas L. Friedman's number-one best seller The World Is Flat has helped millions of listeners to see globalization in a new way. Now Friedman brings a fresh outlook to the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy - both of which could poison our world if we do not act quickly and collectively. His argument speaks to all of us who are concerned about the state of America in the global future.
Friedman p...more
21 Hours
Publisher's Summary
Thomas L. Friedman's number-one best seller The World Is Flat has helped millions of listeners to see globalization in a new way. Now Friedman brings a fresh outlook to the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy - both of which could poison our world if we do not act quickly and collectively. His argument speaks to all of us who are concerned about the state of America in the global future.
Friedman p...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
I read this book prior to the election. Thomas Friedman discusses the need to stop usiing energy from hell......oil and coal and begin using energy from heaven....wind and solar....His message s one of urgency and hope.
Our world is hot....we are using carbon based energy at such a rate that life on earth is becoming endangered.....Our world is flat.....China and India with their immense populations.......crowded...... are coming our of
their third world status and becoming countries who ...more
Our world is hot....we are using carbon based energy at such a rate that life on earth is becoming endangered.....Our world is flat.....China and India with their immense populations.......crowded...... are coming our of
their third world status and becoming countries who ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Amazing and startling overview of what he terms the "Energy-Climate Era" - the threshold of worldwide crisis in energy supply and demand, climate change, and biodiversity loss. He explains well all the interrelated issues, with plenty of examples to illustrate the dire need to act immediately. But he offers hope in that the United State could find great opportunities in taking leadership for the rest of the world, in developing clean energy, and new and better conservation measures. ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
bookshelves:
currently-reading
recommends it for:
jennifer devore
Tom Friedman once again makes that case that America needs to grow a pair.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
bookshelves:
science
Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
everybody! (except those who get bored easily)
Friedman's a hard-line capitalist, and some of his premises are questionable, though, based on those premises his logic is flawless.
No matter what you think about his economic bent, if you are American and consider yourself a patriot and/or an environmentalist, you must read this book. It really opened my eyes to the energy issues facing the US today, and possible solutions.
Want to know more about why and how we're dependent on Saudi oil?
Want to understand which sources of energy ...more
No matter what you think about his economic bent, if you are American and consider yourself a patriot and/or an environmentalist, you must read this book. It really opened my eyes to the energy issues facing the US today, and possible solutions.
Want to know more about why and how we're dependent on Saudi oil?
Want to understand which sources of energy ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
























