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Summary: Read Tom Friedman, then read him all over again!
Review: This is a superb collection of Tom Friedman's New York Times columns, plus personal commentaries on the circumstances behind those columns since 9/11. What an extraordinarily insightful book. I couldn't put it down, even though I'd read virtually all of Friedman's columns when they first appeared in The Times. His prose is wonderfully lucid and colloquial; it helps us understand the increasingly bewildering world around us--and within us. Friedman shares his interesting and intriguing experiences with his readers, and we are all wiser and humbler for it. Read Tom Friedman, then read him all over again!
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Summary: More than one book
Review: Longitudes and Attitudes was several books for me. It was a book that opened my eyes to the rest of the world. I felt I was given "insider information" by a writer who seems to have amazing access to genuine people. In this sense, it was a timely book of current affairs.It was also a book that caused my to examine my own culture, African America, in the midst of examining other cultures. I wound up comparing my community to the Arab-Muslim community and found some parallels and differences. Like the Arab-Muslim community, we deal with tribalism, anti-intellectualism, "street" rage and an elite who draws comfort and support from keeping its power long after it should have yielded it. I am so thankful that we did not do what the Arab-Muslim world has done and that is to try make change by imploding. If ever there was a book that detailed the perils of not using non-violent means for change, this is it. Finally, the book encouraged me and discouraged me. I hope that the swamp that births terrorists is drained, but I know that there are people continue to nourish that swamp and they must be dealt with. I strongly recommend it for people who want to have their current affairs prejudices and notions pushed around in an enlightening way.
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Summary: A realistic view post-Sept. 11
Review: Mr. Friedman's latest book, "Longitudes and Attitudes" is a realistic and unfettered view of the world pre-and post-Sept. 11th, but it is not, as many books of the kind are, 100% pro-American. When reading this book, one must realize that America is not infallable, mistakes have been made, and while I'm sure we'd all agree Sept. 11th was not a good day, it was not a blind and random attack. This book has been criticized for being pro-Arab, pro-Palestinian, anti-American, etc., and, I believe, unfairly so. As in his other books (From Beirut to Jerusalem, notably), Friedman has taken a neutral jorunalistic view of the conflicts in the Middle East. If you're looking for a pro-American "we didn't do anything to anyone else" book, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a book that clearly and unapologetically describes the situations that exist in the Arab world today, I heartily recommend this book. Also, of note, this is a collection of editorial columns from the New York Times and a short diary. If you read Friedman's columns regularly, you may not find much of anything new here.
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Summary: Destined to be a Primary Work on the 9/11 Tragedy.
Review: This book is destined to be a primary work on the 9/11 tragedy simply because of its grand view,and compelling look at the dynmaic world scene.
Thomas L. Friedman has written a book no other journalist or author could have written. In many ways this book is the logical extension of From Beirut to Jerusalem, and The Lexus and the Olive Tree because the themes, plots, and subplots are so intricately woven, and spun so tightly together as to be indistinguishable.
The three can literally be taken as a trilogy because the Israeli-Paletinian conflict has riveted the nations of the world to the Middle East, globalization has exacerbated the tensions contained therin, and 9/11 gave vent to "super-empowered individuals" who started a whole new type of conflict, World War III, which involves the unresolved issues festering in the Arab street over Israel, what technology hath wrought, how the Arabs have not kept apace w/globalization. Friedman weaves a beautiful tapestry in Longitudes and Attitudes that will hold the reader spellbound.
A highly recommended read that will help the reader keep abreast of a quickly changing world scene.
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Summary: Extraordinary scope, simple reading, invaluable knowledge.
Review: Pulitzer Prize winning author Thomas L Friedman knows the Middle East. Not just because he's been stationed there as a New York Times Affairs Desk columnist for over a decade, but more because he's one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and progressive political thinkers of our time.
Longitudes and Attitudes is a collection of columns divided up into 3 parts: Part One consists of pre-9/11 columns, Part 2, post-9/11 columns, and Part 3 his diary of the tumultous times immediately after 9/11.
Each column is about 750 words. Each make a clear and important point (whether you agree with him or not). And together, they'll give the average reader a massive boost in understanding as it relates to:
1. The Palestinian Isreali confict
2. The moral, social, and philisophical topography of the Middle East, and,
3. Ideas on how to intervene (both nationally and internationally) with the "Middle East problem"; that is, terrorism, fanaticism, and economic plight.
Unorthodox, intelligent, daring, and always interesting, T. Friedman has been an important voice out of the Middle East for some time now. Longitudes and Attitudes is a well organized opportunity for the average reader to benefit from it.
Christian Hunter
Santa Barbara, California
Rating: 
Summary: A Timely Book
Review: I like Thomas Friedman. In fact the way he writes makes me think that the two of us would have a grand time together, maybe over dinner as we discussed and laughed over world affairs. That's the kind of writer Friedman is, he makes you feel at ease as he discusses major global changing events with a seemlying simplistic common sense style.
If you aren't familiar with Friedman's colums in the New York Times, but want to understand better a post 9-11 world...this book is you opportunity. "Longitudes" is a collection of his colums, most of which focus on mid-east realtionships. Friedman doesn't hold back. When it comes to the central problem of Islamic extremist, the Arabs offen ignore the problem while the U.S. offen exploits it...or did until 9-11. Today, everyone seems to not fully understand the new world they now live in.
The down side of Friedman is that he can be a little repeative and preachy. His solutions are sound but sometimes don't take everything into consideration. Also if you've been reading his work, this book may offer nothing new to you. Still, to sit down and read or re-read this collection of his work from Dec 15th 2000 to July 3rd 2002 is to expose yourself (in a relatively short period of time) to the begining...when the world was torn in two. Friedman still thinks it can be fixed and maybe that's what I like about him the most.
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Summary: Well balanced and captivating
Review: I listened to the book on CD. After 9/11 a lot of us have been left with a lot of questions which basically boil down to why did this happen. Thomas Friedman dispells many of the rumors and innuendoes that have pervaded the American psyche and pursues the answers here. Why do so many in the muslim nations hate the United States? What does the Palestinian-Isreali conflict have to do with American relations with each and every middle eastern country? What faults in the education/information systems and personal attitudes within these muslim nations contribute to the problem? If these questions, and many like them, have been on your mind and you are ready for some reasonable rationality for them, then this is the book for you.
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Summary: An Objective Look at the World, Both Pre- and Post- 9/11
Review: In Longitudes and Attitudes, a collection of columns by New York Times' columnist Thomas Friedman, the reader is introduced to the thoughts and feelings of Friedman concerning the world both before and after the terrorist attacks of September 11th. While the post-9/11 era gets more attention, there is still a strong balance between the before and after sections. This offers the reader a chance to get an understanding of how Friedman's viewpoints were changed by the terrorist attacks. It is important to note that not every column is devoted to the terrorist attacks or the politics surrounding the aftermath. Many columns offer insight into the differing cultures and histories of various countries in the Middle East and other areas around the globe. This was made possible by Friedman's travels to varying parts of the world and his extensive ties to individuals throughout the Middle East and Europe. For me this was of particular interest (and importance) because of my relative ignorance about these subjects. The book almost acted as a primer of various religions and their beliefs as well as the history behind events that we hear about on the news now. This allowed to me to enjoy the book for it's entertainment and informative value. If you're a fan of Friedman's columns, of course you'll enjoy this book (it's an anthology of columns after all). If you're looking for a book to teach you about more than just the politics surrounding September 11th, look no further.
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Summary: Very insightful and true but still slightly biased.
Review: Thomas Friedman has a good, well researched view of the mentality problems in the Middle East. His views are worthy of acclaim. His columns dig deep and present valid points on where Muslim need change in order to have a better understanding of the world they live in. His interviews and conversations with people all over the Muslim world, in turn, give Americans great insight and understanding of the complexity behind the perception of 9/11 and its aftermath through Muslim eyes. I'm glad that Friedman has a following of readers, for and against, in the Muslim world. Those Muslims, who have access to his columns, get a second opinion on events to think about.
His general points of view where the Middle East is concerned are valuable reading for any American who seeks real representation of unfettered Muslim thought and the history behind it. Understanding, after all, is the first step in bridging the gap. I applaud Friedman for this.
However, underneath all the great revelations and wisdom, lie certain biases about America and Isreal. Yes, he, a Jew, is right for his critiques of Arafat, the Saudi Royal family and other prominent figures who help in poisoning muslim thought and retarding progress but at the same time, he oversimplifies and rationalizes behavior and policies taken by the West. This is somewhat hypocritical. His defense and excusing of Isreal and America on certain matters seem out of place among such profound reasoning in matters concerning Muslims.
This book is great reading to gain insight about the state of the Middle East. However, the reader should think about the matters concerning Isreal and West which he quickly expedites in a few paragraphes. Friedman needs to take a better, more critical look at the inner workings of "trade and economic development". Policy influenced by big business and self advancement are not as simple, benign and wholesome as he leads on. It really does "take two to tango".
In my opinion, the Arab liberalism he embraces and champions is a big part of the solution. I understand his frustration with the ignorance and distorted views of many Muslims. They are truly victims of a dark, neo-conservative, Islamist regime and educational system which the autocracies do nothing to change. Yes, it hinders progress, poisons thought, clouds vision and shifts blame. However, for his travels and experience, Friedman should have a better understanding of the faults of Western and Israeli policy and their share of the blame. The all-mighty dollar is not infallible. On that note, his gitty "RA RA" attitude toward globalization is rather one sided and naive. This attitude can be found in his previous book "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" which also, for all its scope on world problems, fails to look at the process of globalization from a more objective and analytical standpoint and dismisses its effects, abuses and growing pains in the rest of the world. western-centric globalization is not a panacea for world progresss.
Summary: insightful and honest toward unstable nations, shallow and submissive towards the West and its faults. A case of true feast and famine in the same book.
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Summary: If you are familiar with TF, no need to read this
Review: Let me say first that I love Tom Friedman's columns and books. I think he is the most objective analyst on the Middle East and its issues that's available to the lay person.
However, if one is familiar and a fan of Friedman's, I don't think this book will shed that much light on its subject. Although TF's stories are each different, if one reads enough of them, one can see the overall messages. So, for me, to read column after column in book form was a bit much. Perhaps I just went about it the wrong way by trying to read 30-40 pages a day. Maybe the best way to read this book is to read 2-3 stories a day...but I was too impatient for that.
The diary format of the last 70 pages or so was far more readable for me.
Again, I have very very few disagreements with his opinions and I think the person who has not been exposed to TF's work and wants to get a good grip on the situation in the Middle East will get a lot out of this book.
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