• The Age of the Unthinkable

  • Why the New World Disorder Constantly Surprises Us And What We Can Do About It
  • By: Joshua Cooper Ramo
  • Narrated by: Joshua Cooper Ramo
  • Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (232 ratings)

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The Age of the Unthinkable

By: Joshua Cooper Ramo
Narrated by: Joshua Cooper Ramo
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Publisher's summary

For decades, American foreign policy has been based on the seductive belief that there exists a logical relationship between power of states and the physics of change. And yet today policies designed to make us safer instead make the world more perilous. History's grandest war against terrorism creates more terrorists. Global capitalism, intended to boost the quality of life of people around the world, increases the gap between rich and poor. Decisions taken to stem a financial crisis guarantee its arrival. Environmental techniques engineered to protect species lead to their extinction. Middle East peace plans produce less peace. Our world is not becoming more stable or flatter or easier to comprehend. And what we face isn't one single shift, like the end of World War Two or the collapse of the Soviet Union, so much as a revolutionary avalanche of ceaseless change.

Now, drawing upon history, economics, complexity theory, human immunology, psychology and his own extraordinary experiences, Joshua Ramo puts forth a radical new model for looking at the world, one that embraces its inherent unpredictability--and offers our best hope for dealing with problems and disasters as they emerge.

©2009 Joshua Cooper Ramo (P)2009 Hachette

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What listeners say about The Age of the Unthinkable

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read, well read

I purchased this book because it was recommended by Fareed Zakaria on GPS. If you enjoy his unbiased, intelligent, long range, big picture supported by facts approach to recent events, this book this book is for you.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking, interesting, novel outlook

It only took a couple of days for me to finish this audio book, I often did not want to turn the iPod off. Ramo introduces a lot of interesting ideas that he illustrates and drives home with intriguing accounts, anecdotes and reports from various scientific, cultural, economic and political sources and points of view. Having been a reporter and well traveled, Ramo was able to draw vivid detail from experience. You could imagine putting some of the concepts to work your own life.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

dont waste a credit

if you want to listen to 8 hrs of political montra this is just the book for you

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

You have to be open Minded

Some did not give this book good ratings, however, in order to understand where the author is coming from, one must have lived overseas or at least have some insight into some of the cultures and other groups the author refers to. Reading this book as I write this review, one cant help notice that what the author talks about regarding change, is actually taking place across the world and the USA, today. If you prefer to live in an image of the world as it was portrayed to you by the Media, Corporations and narrow minded individuals, this book is not for you, this book is for those who would like to view the world from a diferent perspective.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Like listening to your know it all cousin

I found the book to be poorly researched with the author constantly "name-dropping" as a way to gain some form of credibility. The author is very proud of himself for reaching some basic conclusions. I was hoping for a Malcolm Gladwellesque book and I got a dud. Did I say the research was poor?

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Delightfully though-provoking!

I recently saw Ramo give a talk on China and Chinese politics, and found it very interesting to see some of the thoughts he presented there in a greater context. In this book he not only goes to some really interesting places and speaks to some fascinating people - he also "connects the dots" in a way that I found utterly fascinating - even now, more than half a decade after the book was published.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

interesting hypothesis, but weak evidence

Mr. Ramo is such an eager and effective narrator, that he is almost able to make his point through his effective oral performance. Unfortunately, after listening carefully, I don't quite understand how his idea has the ability to change the shape of solutions to problems around the globe.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pushes Resiliency

Key takeaways for me are:
Our country needs to be nimble and our people resilient. Cites great research into how westerners and Asians perceive the world and events. Seems too enamored of China and the force they play in adding to world instability.

An older book to be reading for current events but research citations and learning how to fail are useful lessons to take away.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An absolute game changer

This really is a must read for everyone. It should be required reading for all elected officials. It holds the keys to the paradigm shift our nation has needed for a long time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Transformational!

This is one of those “wow” books. It contains real truth that speaks to you. It’s a classic, a diamond in the rough. It’s deep though, I’m going to read it in print as well.

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