The Post-American World

By: Fareed Zakaria

Narrated by: Fareed Zakaria

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

For Fareed Zakaria, the great story of our times is not the decline of America but rather the rise of everyone else - the growth of countries such as China, India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Kenya, and many, many more.

This economic growth is generating a new global landscape where power is shifting and wealth and innovation are bubbling up in unexpected places. It's also producing political confidence and national pride. As these trends continue, the push of globalization will increasingly be joined by the pull of nationalism - a tension that is likely to define the next decades.

With his customary lucidity, insight, and imagination, Zakaria 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".

Washington must begin a serious transformation of global strategy and seek to share power, create coalitions, build legitimacy, and define the global agenda. 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. But all that is changing now. The future we face is the post-American world.

©2008 Fareed Zakaria (P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A definitive handbook for political and business leaders who want to succeed in a global era." (Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and Universe)

A not quite so frantic view of the current world

There's a lot out there today on how terrible the situation is right now in the US--the economy is in the tank, the political situation is miserable, our educational system is routinely beaten by third world countries. While Zakaria is certainly aware of the negatives, he provides a more balanced perspective on the current political-economic situation, stressing a lot of the positives you won't hear on news shows. When he says Post-American World he means a world where America is not powerful enough to force its will on any situation it wants, a world where America has to take the perspectives of other countries into account, not one where America is only the dominant player.

I thought the chapter on China was an excellent analysis, again looking at China's strengths and weaknesses. His understanding of why China acts the way it does in Darfur is insightful. His take on America is similarly balanced, one perhaps only an immigrant could provide.

All in all, if you read the op-ed pages or listen to the news talk shows, a worthwhile listen.

Zakaria loves America

Zakaria obviously loves the U.S. This is not an anti american book. I served a long time in the military and I really appreaciate his insights. Great book a must read.

Excellent Book!

This is an EXCELLENT book and sure hits the point! Well done, Fareed!

Very interesting information, but a bit dry

Some books take a bit more effort to get through than others, this is one such book. I liked the narrator and the book itself, but it dosen't have a "story" to it, just alot of very interesting information.

Obama read this...

Some were criticizing Obama for reading thus book...the title is ominous but it is a worthy read...causes one to stop and think honestly about the future of America...It was written over 5 years so it is a little dated...otherwise well written and worth a read.

WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD?

Would you listen to The Post-American World again? Why?

Yes. This is BRILLIANT in the way it presents an "uncomfortable truth" of our time for Americans. But whether you are politically conservative, moderate or liberal-- you will need to listen to the entire book with an open mind. The title of this book is intentionally misleading-- to provoke a response. Dont make the mistake of thinking this book is anti-US or anti-anything. The author is telling it like it is and arguing that America is uniquely positioned to lead in a different way because of a different world reality.

Generally speaking, Americans need to shift their minset to understand and appreciate what is happening--and recognize this is not a "zero-sum game." This is no longer "America's world" where we can unilaterally set the rules and assume everyone will do it "America's way." The landscape and balance of power has changed. And America can either understand that and deal with reality--or be frustrated in a state of denial, repeating some of the worst mistakes of the British Empire. There are so many critical lessons from history that can and should inform the way we view this nation's unique opportunities and challenges right NOW-- to take into account the fundamental truth that all people want the freedom to define themselves within their own cultures, governments and societies.

What did you like best about this story?

The author uses compelling examples from the history of past dominant world powers to illustrate exactly what the challenges and opportunities are for the United States today.

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

At first I felt inclined to dismiss this book as US-bashing based on biased thinking. However, as I listened more and thought about what the message of this book really is, I found most of the content to be persuasive and extremely enlightening. This should be required reading by every forward-thinking American.

Lite but Good

Since I don't watch much TV, I didn't know the author was a newscaster. However, it was pretty good, even if it's the sort of thing that slips into your head and then out again.

Good for novices only

Fareed Zakaria is funny on The Daily Show. In this book, he is not funny, nor entertaining, nor particularly insightful. I suppose if you have not been paying attention to the news and don't realize that India (and China) is something of a large country, you may be surprised by what Fareed has to say. I was not.

Blech.

Fareed at his best

Fareed at his best

Author/Narrator Voice is Very Boring

His monotone Indian accent make paying attention very difficult. I regret buying this on audiobook; should have got it in hardback.