Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Friedman is a gifted writer. He has a talent for grasping the nub of an issue in crystal-clear, humorous prose. And yes, in a life as short and absurd as this, humor is important. For this reason, The Lexus and the Olive Tree make for an easy, enjoyable read. But for all that, Friedman's discussion lacks critical depth, historical scope, and completely downplays many of the unwanted side-effects of globalization: e.g., the environmental crisis, the spiritual crisis, and the increasing loss of control over our communities to an emerging group of corporate powerhouses. Read The Lexus and the Olive Tree if you are looking for some feel-good cheerleading on the tsunami-like process that is taking the globe by storm, but don't stop there. For a more balanced and critical understanding of the complex phenomenon we call globalization, you should also check out the books Alternatives to Economic Globalization, put out by the International Forum on Globalization, and Eco-Economy, by Lester Brown. These two books flesh out some of the major problems that come with Coca Cola, hamburgers and automobiles for all; problems we should be aware of because, unfortunately, it's not all roses.