I was initially skeptical of the heavy hype that this book received in the maintstream media. Friedman writes a column for the New York Times, and it seemed that the praise for the book was a bit over the top. But I finally picked up a copy, and while I still believe Friedman has over-simplifed some ideas and concepts, the book is worth reading.
Friedman is an excellent writer who is able to identify key trends and write about them clearly. His previous book, The Lexus and the Olive Tree also stretched a good idea a bit too far, but nonetheless had valuable insights. The World is Flat is particularly valuable for Friedman's list of "ten forces that flattened the world." It is this list, and Friedman's cogent explanations, that make the book particularly valuable for economic and community developers. Communities across America, and especially in rural areas, are struggling to adapt their local economies to the shifting power of the global economy. Friedman talks about, and explains lucidly, global marketplace concepts like outsourcing and offshoring. Friedman's analysis of offshoring and how to deal with it should be a must read for community leaders struggling with the loss of local manufacturing jobs.
Perhaps the most important, read between the lines message in the book for communities is that all the change and upheaval brought about by the end of the Manufacturing Economy and the rise of the Knowledge Economy offers incredible opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses that want to grow. A half day workshop for local businesses based on this book should be an essential activity for economic developers to offer to area businesses.
For more recommended books on community and economic development, visit the Design Nine Book of the Month page.