Had to really force myself to finish this one. Basically Friedman repeats the title of his book on literally every page, kind of like some NLP device attempting to convince you that it is true. He outright contradicts himself in multiple places and seems to go on without any idea that he has done so. For instance: he says that if all engines were shut down tomorrow that will only drop carbon emissions by some negligible percent...and then later says that we all must pay a carbon tax for driving to work, even though he says tanker ships are the biggest polluters when it comes to burning fuel. The book is just an ivory tower jerk fest.

interesting, frightening and eye opening - the future may not be worth living

Friedman is really milking the “flat world” metaphor from one of his previous books to make some sales through this latest offering. This book rehashes a few already obvious topics and then repeats them over and over again. It gets to the point where you realize that he may be doing this to fill up the pages. Talk about phoning one in Friedman did not even pick up the handset. This book could have been written in 20 pages, but Friedman drags it out. Don’t bother reading this book. It is a waste of time for anyone who keeps up with current events.

This is a wake-up call to all citizens of the world - even moreso than was Al Gore's. Bottom line, if we wish to have an inhabited planet for our children and grandchildren we need to do something now. It won't be fun. It won't be easy, but it is absolutely necessary! Short-term pain for long-term gain.

T. Friedman explains how global warming, rapidly growing populations, and the astonishing expansion of the world's middle class though globalization have produced a planet that is "hot, flat, and crowded."

The book contains material about 'global warming' and his urging how USA can lead the world.

It is more pro-USA.

Equally as boring, drawn-out and preachy as Friedman's other writings but with perhaps less merit. I was surprised when Friedman quotes a talk by Severn Suzuki without mentioning that she is the daughter of David Suzuki, one of the worlds most outspoken environmentalists. Friedman uses a lot of words but still seems to miss the details. Readers would applause if Friedman realized that using the phrase "Hot, Flat and Crowded" in every paragraph is far more annoying than profound.

typical friedman, well thought through but too wordy