The Post-American World 2.0

By: Fareed Zakaria

Narrated by: Fareed Zakaria

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the New York Times and international best seller, revised and expanded with a new afterword. This is the essential update of Fareed Zakaria's analysis about America and its shifting position in world affairs.

The Post-American World pointed to the rise of the rest - the growth of countries China, India, Brazil, and others - as the great story of our time, the story that will undoubtedly shape the future of global power. Since its publication, the trends Zakaria identified have proceeded faster than anyone could have anticipated. The 2008 financial crisis turned the world upside down, stalling the United States and other advanced economies. Meanwhile, emerging markets have surged ahead, coupling their economic growth with pride, nationalism, and a determination to shape their own future.

In this new edition, Zakaria makes sense of this rapidly changing landscape. With his customary lucidity, insight, and imagination, he draws on lessons from the two great power shifts of the past 500 years - the rise of the Western world and the rise of the United States - to tell us what we can expect from the third shift, the rise of the rest.

The great challenge for Britain was economic decline. The challenge for America now is political decline, for as others have grown in importance, the central role of the United States, especially in the ascendant emerging markets, has already begun to shrink. As Zakaria eloquently argues, Washington needs to begin a serious transformation of its global strategy, moving from its traditional role of dominating hegemon to that of a more pragmatic, honest broker. It must seek to share power, create coalitions, build legitimacy, and define the global agenda - all formidable tasks.

None of this will be easy for the greatest power the world has ever known - the only power that for so long has really mattered. America stands at a crossroads. In a new global era in which the United States no longer dominates the worldwide economy, orchestrates geopolitics, or overwhelms cultures, can the nation continue to thrive?

©2008 Fareed Zakaria (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Outstanding insightful viewpoints

Great book, well read by the author himself. Will listen again in the future.

Another masterpiece by Fareed

I have read and listened to this book many times. In my most recent listening after some time has passed, I realize how accurate his analysis has been.

Good, but dated.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book with a couple reservations. It is obvious that 95% or more of this v 2.0 is the same as the original. I would 2nd a review I read before I purchased this book, for the 'new' parts you can tell an audible difference in volume level for those parts, though it is not significant. What I had the most 'issue' with is the fact that almost every study, interview, poll or report that is referenced in the book is 2007 or earlier. This would make sense in a book that was published in 2008, as this originally was. However there are very few instances of updated or current information. Given the subject matter and the theories that the author presents, the updated information would only go to substantiate or validate his points further so I am not sure why they were not included or updated, perhaps it was too time consuming?

Overall this was a good listen as the facts are presented fairly unbiased, which is rare these days. Fareed does a great job of showing the paths from the history of the US from early 20th century through the globalization of the world and how the US can and should navigate through the modern maze of geopolitics. The 'Rise of the Rest' could easily become a (stealing a Tom Clancy book Title) 'Clear and Present Danger' to the United Stes, however as the author shows, it will be much more likely it is an economic danger as opposed to military.

What other book might you compare The Post-American World 2.0 to and why?

The world is flat
Hot, Flat, Crowded

Common themes of Globalization and the disruptive nature of the internet and other technologes on the world stage

Any additional comments?

More interesting than one might think. This is not a totally dry economics book that makes you recall college macro and micro economics courses, but rather real world examples of how the world is changing in an unprecedented way and at an unprecedented speed.

Challenges your paradigm about the future

A page turner. Zakaria provides insight in connecting the past to the future and explains why the world of the future will be differsnt. He concludes with a map for continued American excellence.

Wearying Look at What Went Wrong with America

It is obvious that Mr. Zarkaria knows his history. But, that is not enough to leaven this loaf of dread! This lamentation drags on and on and pon and on. His voice and his accent are numbing. Cheer up, Mr. Zakaria! The show has just begun! Things will never be the same again as days gone by. But they sure as heck will be even more exciting!

Time to grow up and get over it!!

What made the experience of listening to The Post-American World 2.0 the most enjoyable?

Zakariah's well researched and pragmatic approach to understanding the economic and political world we live in today was enlightening and encouraging. A rational voice in the cacophony of political tripe that we are inundated with is a rare and valuable find!!

What did you like best about this story?

Facts and the killing of mental ogres. Hard to stop and take breaks!!

What about Fareed Zakaria’s performance did you like?

I run the player at 1.25% and at that speed Zakariah is very easy to listen to. He obviously believes what he wrote!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Actually this book made me hopeful and happy while at the same time puzzled about how to fix our polarized and broken political system that can't get anythingh important done.

Any additional comments?

This should be mandatory reading for every high school senior in America!!

Exceptionally insightful global view!

The reference to "the rise of the rest" is a thought provoking assessment of the global politic. Also a great attitude adjustment for any American not understanding we must thing global and work in a more far reaching and productive manner to remain competitive and relevant in the world marketplace.

Good assessments -insights not heard in most media

Good perspectives and historical info on empires and their falls. Comparing that history to America's situation today. Includes foreigners' views of America, with reasons why.

Great Book

Fareed Zakaria explains his view of a Post American World with a no nonsense common sense approach. No bias to either political party. A plus is Fareed is the narrator. A+++

Highly insightful

If you enjoy economics, political science, and cultural assessments of the world you'll definitely enjoy this book. The author has a powerful perspective given his background as an immigrant