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)

Unabridged should be fine...

I appreciate Friedman's point of view, as I have been an environmental advocate since the early 1970s. The point of this book is to energize the American populace to jump on the bandwagon of becoming "new energy" purveyor to the world. We actually need to do this in order to benefit ourselves, but his approach is a very capitalistic way of going about "doing the right thing". Instead of speaking to us about how profligate our lifestyle has become, he approaches the problem by saying that technology and production will allow us to maintain our position as top dogs. Admirable, in a twisted way. I found that much of this could have been conveyed without so much repetition. For this reason, I recommend the abridged version.

A Very Important and Well-Written Book

Friedman has done it again. He has written a book that describes in detail the precarious position we find ourselves in -- and he provides solutions. America must make alternative energy a top priority or our children and grandchildren will face a disaster even worse than what we're beginning to go through economically. This is a MUST READ, but we must also follow through with our politicians to make it happen.

One of the Most Important Books of our Lifetime

This book presents the combined issues of the explosive growth of the middle class in countries like China and India, the exponential effect of that growth on energy consumption, and the effect of that consumption on the natural world. The well documented facts are presented without hyperbole but without sugar coating. This combined story is one that has not been told elsewhere. Friedman is a master journalist and has uncovered the most important story of the century. I also find Friedman fun to listen to -- he uses language wonderfully, and melds facts, stories, and analysis in a way that makes you want to listen and learn.

Rome is Burning

I gotten through about half the book and all I have to say is if we dont Actually start doing something about our addiction to Oil this country is going the way of Rome.

very up to date

Friedman does a great job bringing the listener into a fully up to date conversation about climate change. He covers what's going on, where it is headed and what we need to do. A long listen, but full of info on recent developments and suggestions for policy changes on how to solve the problem.

An eye-opener about energy

Friedman's explanation of the importance of energy to the world economy, as well as the environment, over the next century was an eye-opening experience. He goes beyond "easy ways to be green," and beyond the "save the polar bears" emotional appeals -- advocating rather a systemic approach to changing our energy system to remain globally competitive. And, he argues persuasively, this will actually be good for the economy.
One downside of this book is that some of the examples and anecdotes get a bit lengthy, and some of the points repetitive. I usually prefer unabridged books, but I think I would have been just as satisfied with the abridged version of this one.

Crazy pertinent after all these years.

A thoughtful, well written book that is standing the test of time. I must treat for anyone who is concerned about climate change and the impact of global warming.

Thick, Heavy, and Long Winded

I listened to Friedman's previous book "The World Is Flat." and was completely fascinated. Friedman brings together similar and other far reaching ideas in this edition of Globalization, Economics, Politics, and Environmental repercussions. The points he brings up are essential for the success of America, and the survival of the Human Race.

It is an arduous listen however. Friedman's points are thoroughly researched and loquaciously laid out. I believe as an audio book, the abridged edition would be easier to deal with, as the unabridged version does get long winded at times. Particularly when he recapitulates points he'd already thoroughly articulated in previous chapters.

Gaining an understanding of how our American way of life is spreading all around the globe, at a time when we are only just discovering the destructive nature of our life style, and the enormous rate of energy and material consumption is important as we tackle the current issues of repairing the economy and our teetering ecology. Overall, Hot, Flat, and Crowded is an excellent book with great economy and global saving points.

important but long winded

i would say this book is a very important read in today's economic and scientific environment. i have read many of his other books and found them incredibly informative and inciteful. This book is also, however, maybe i am just tired of the author, but you get the feeling he is taken in by his "cuteness" with some of his turns of phrases. its like reading one NY times column after another targetted not for its inofrmation but to have a cute headline to capture attention. And if i have to hear one more time about what exotic location he just got done travelling to and what important person he interviewed, yes Tom, we get it, you have a great life. probably paid for in part by average citizens like me who fork over $ for your books and ny times subscription. ARRGHH. Almost makes me want to cancel.
however, his points are important, and i think the book is an extremely timely read, especially given the obama agenda.

Elegantly Worded Call to Action

This book is typical Thomas Friedman. He has carefully researched this book. It covers the rise of the middle class across the world, the global climate change, and the constant population growth. Once you read this book you will be sure we are faced with a perfect storm of problems. Half way through I was sure there was no way out of these problems. Patiently, Tom leads you through his well researched solutions to these problems.

I was uplifted at the end to see that the planet that I love can survive. It falls to each and every one of us to make this happen. Don't read it if you think the solutions will be quick or easy.