The Post American World

The Post American World
by Fareed Zakaria

Newsweek has been my favorite for almost forty years. Fareed Zakaria has been a favorite columnist there ever since I noticed his articles. This is an excellent book. He digs behind the hyperbole and spin to help us understand what is happening in today's world.

By examining what is happening in China and India, by reflecting on this history of Great Britain, he comes to the conclusion that America is not fading into a has-been nation. Rather, the rest of the world is catching up to us.

That's a distinct difference.

China has a long ways to go before they really catch up to us. The author gets to the root of the fear mongering numbers so beloved by politicians For example: China graduates ten times as many engineers as American universities. Once you realize that someone with a two year degree in auto mechanics is called an engineer in China, it's clear that the numbers are misleading.

The last chapters discuss the role of America in policing the world. With our large military and vast influence, America is the one so many countries turn to for leadership. Who asks India to resolve a world problem? The author asks us and our elected officials in Washington to move away from fear as a political statement. Instead, he proposes that we work with the rest of the world, choose what we truly need, then compromise where necessary to accomplish our true goals.

Did I mention that Mr Zakaria is no fan of the current administration?

Enjoy the book. I bought it, and recommend that you might consider the same.