Hot, Flat, and Crowded

Why We Need a Green Revolution - and How It Can Renew America

By: Thomas L. Friedman

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 20 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Thomas L. Friedman's number-one best seller The World Is Flat has helped millions of listeners to see globalization in a new way. Now Friedman brings a fresh outlook to the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy - both of which could poison our world if we do not act quickly and collectively. His argument speaks to all of us who are concerned about the state of America in the global future.

Friedman proposes that an ambitious national strategy - which he calls "Geo-Greenism" - is not only what we need to save the planet from overheating; it is what we need to make America healthier, richer, more innovative, more productive, and more secure.

As in The World Is Flat, he explains a new era - the Energy-Climate era - through an illuminating account of recent events. He shows how 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the flattening of the world by the Internet (which brought three billion new consumers onto the world stage) have combined to bring climate and energy issues to Main Street. But they have not gone very far down Main Street; the much-touted "green revolution" has hardly begun.

With all that in mind, Friedman sets out the clean-technology breakthroughs we, and the world, will need; he shows that the ET (Energy Technology) revolution will be both transformative and disruptive, and he explains why America must lead this revolution - with the first Green President and a Green New Deal, spurred by the Greenest Generation.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded is classic Thomas L. Friedman - fearless, incisive, forward-looking, and rich in surprising common sense about the world we live in today.

©2008, 2009 Thomas L. Friedman (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"An exhaustive, impressive, and convincing argument about the need for the United States to transition to more sustainable systems of energy soon or else risk any possible chance of maintaining hegemony. [Friedman's] ability to identify and summarize succinctly the issues and controversies over resistance to a green revolution is matched by his clear and definitive solutions to these forthcoming problems. Oliver Wyman provides a congenial and gentle voice that works well with the text." ( Publishers Weekly)

The sky is not falling

I eagerly anticipated that this book would be as insightful as the author's most recent book, The World is Flat (which was a wonderful book). Unfortunately, my expectations were not met.

The basic premise for Friedman's argument -- that America's current fossil-fuel infrastructure mandates drastic change because CO2 by-products cause "weather-weirding" or global warming -- is based on razor thin credible evidence. I realize that this is a controversial subject and that reasonable minds can differ; however, the author presents virtually no alternative viewpoints on whether global warming exists and whether it is man-made.

I did appreciate some of Friedman's prescient political and social forecasting. I also liked some of the history of how we ended up where we are. Nevertheless, I think the debate over global warming is based on political faith and not on scientific fact.

Despite all of this, I concur with Friedman's goal of changing our energy infrastructure NOT because of global warming, but because it will further our national interests of less dependency on foreign oil, reduce the influence of "oil dictators," and create a cleaner environment.

This book is just "ok." It is not earth shattering, however, and I don't buy into its alarmist tones without a further factual basis.

Not a great Audio book

Too much information and fails to connect all information into a good story line for a good listen. Disappointed.

Compelling and Tedious

I love Tom Freidman's research and the perspective he brings to this work. I just wish the audio weren't so tedious and seemingly repetitive. I normally avoid abridged books, but this one might have have the same impact without so much detail. All in all, however, I was moved by the urgency of the problem and the inherent opportunity in being the country to solve it. It made me remember the choice we had in 2000 between Gore and Bush. I frankly thought that it wasn't much of a choice and, because I live in a red state, I voted for Nader. Freidman vividly illustrates how the leadership opportunity that 9/11 posed to our country was mishandled by Bush and we can only imaging how Gore might have approached it differently. I recommend the book.

We need to wake up

Great follow up from his last book "the World is Flat". Friedman points out that we need to get it together to survive. Thanks, can't wait for his next book

Listen to the ASAP

In a time when the professional journalism is under serious attack from it own obvious failing and ineptitude during the Bush administrations attack on Iraq, and the more recent economic meltdown, it is nice to see Thomas Friedman stand up and be counted. We know that the topic of climate change, has been hijacked for political gain and it has become somewhat of a hot potato for real journalists to tackle. Friedman tackles this subject ferociously! He is not an arm chair warrior that relies solely on the Internet he loves so much, but rather goes to the source of the story to see for himself, and to speak to those that know more than him. He gained my respect with "The Lexus and the Olive Branch" and "The world is flat". He has earned my admiration with Hot, Flat and Crowded"! Friedman always digs in deep, hits you with news so troubling it makes you want to dive off a cliff in despair, but he also offers up a way out. It is not an easy way out, but with hope we stand a chance. Read this book before Nov 4th! If you can still mark your X next to the party of "Drill Baby Drill" seek professional help FAST.

Hot Flat and Crowded

My daughter suggested I listen to this book and she was right. I throughly am enjoying this book and it is most importantly, changing my behavior. No longer can I rationalize "global warming" but now can converse more effectively about climate change. I also understand better the geo-political infulences in our search for oil. I must read for everyone.

Preachy and not scientific enough

Although I agree with almost all of the points in this book, I think it was very poorly written and edited even worse. A book like this should have some repetition and variation on a theme, but there are limits, and this one is vastly over quota.

It really felt like the conclusion came first, and then he went looking for supportive data. For a subject this important, it has to happen the other way.

Not as good as The World is Flat

I was surprised that Thomas Friedman did not compare and contrast the current global warming situation with the Dust Bowl tragedy of the 1930s. During the 1930s, the U.S. government had refused to recognize the plight of the mid-west farmer and the devastated communities of the plain states. It took a government sponsored effort to combat and fix the problem.

In addition, this books could have been shortened by 2/3. Much of this book consisted of long and drawn out examples of global warming.
All in all, this book was interesting and informative but too lengthy.

Important concept gets lost in the sauce

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Friedman's writing style is a big turn-off for me. He never says in ten words what can be said in 10,000.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting: the core concepts are critical to understanding the need for energy independence in order to ensure our long term security. Least interesting: repetition.

What about Oliver Wyman’s performance did you like?

Pleasant voice, standard diction.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Surprise - I didn't connect the dots between energy and security before listening.

Hot Flat and Crappy...

This book is a joke. I would not recommend it. The parts about the middle east are interesting, but this book is a very liberal book and author. The crap about global warming is a complete joke.