I just finished reading “The World is Flat” by Thomas L. Friedman. It was the most refreshing business book I’ve read in a long time. Friedman adroitly lays out the changes that have come to shape our world in recent years, and discusses in detail the “flatteners” that we must come to understand in order to succeed in the future. Friedman has included numerous examples from throughout the world to illustrate the “flatteners”, and highlights what must be done to ensure that countries, specifically the United States, can continue to have strong economies. Friedman includes thoughts on differing political systems, touching on different ideologies throughout the world, and how they impact globalization and business. His concept that countries must have “more dreams than memories” is a great concept that can even be applied on a personal level. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and easy to read. Friedman espoused many great ideas, too numerous to mention.

If anyone is convinced that globalization is a myth, or that the trend can be reversed, must pick up a copy of Thomas L Friedman's most recent work 'The World is Flat.' Not only does this book outline how the world is becoming increasingly connected through advances in communicative technology, it also reveals that America's position as the preeminant economic super power in the world is being challenged from rising giants India and China. Buttressed by cheap and available fibre optics technology created out of the tech boom of the early 90s, skilled work that was at one time completed locally can now be digitally packaged and outsourced throughout the world to the lowest bidder. Spurred on by the expanse of outsourcing and offshoring by American companies these rising economic giants have invested alot of material, labour and capital into the science and engineering fields. While those trends have improved the general economic well being of these countries America has grown complacent, slowly losing its place as the most dynamic and innovative economy in the world. Friedman brilliantly utilizees a wide range of sobering statisitics, personal anecdotes and interviews with industry professionals regarding how the world economy is becoming increasingly interdepent. In the process he contends that the rapid rate of technological growth has made it increasingly difficult for the United States to enjoy the benefits of its once reciprocal relationship with the world economy. A great read for anyone interested in how the new world order is shaping our increasingly technological lives, 'The World is Flat' warns that in order to survive and compete in a flat world, America must embrace the change it has created or risk losing its prized position forever.