Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas

¶ … Lexus and the Olive Tree" by Thomas L. Friedman. Book Review of "The Lexus and the Olive Tree," by Thomas L.

Friedman We begin our essay on this highly informative yet brilliantly written magnum opus with a certain reflection on the title of the book, "The Lexus and the Olive Tree." The Lexus in the book title offers a great deal of priceless smattering on the technological advancement that the constant and revolutionary process of globalization has brought along to our world where distinct cultures have evolved and national aspirations are sky-high.

This cultural mix of identity, customs, traditions, conventional ways of functioning as a society and national ambitions as well as the traditional roots and stability is what the avid traveler has referred to as The Olive Tree. In his wonderful and evidently triumphant attempt at the media and cyberspace world and current affairs, he advises his readers to strike a balance between the community values and strengths as well as functioning of global economy and the technological and economic requirements that have become necessities in reality.

The author is of the view that no matter how we manage or perceive it, there is a dire need to comprehend the significance of balancing the community components as well as the technological elements. Both have to work together. Both are interdependent and perform parallel to each other towards the building up of a society.

From the introduction right up to page 305 of his masterwork, the author not only presents his logical thesis but also his supportive and side arguments and ideas and opinions that make a lot of sense. The rest of the book follows the same pattern but somehow seems to have lost the previous clear line of reasoning.

By defining what globalization process is all about and providing detailed accounts of how this intricate process dictates the success of our society today by bringing about positive changes in life, the author puts forth his thesis that globalization is a system recognized worldwide and is solely responsible for replacing the Cold War system (Friedman, p. 7).

The author while summing up this clear and highly logical thesis statement writes the following: For all these reasons, I would, sum up the differences between the two eras of globalization this way: If the first era of globalization shrank the world from a size "large" to a size "medium," this era of globalization is shrinking the world from a size "medium" to a size "small" (Friedman, From The Introduction: Opening Scene) On the same account, we can safely culminate that the author provides his thesis in the beginning thereby proving the accuracy of his thesis by providing conclusive evidence in the rest of the book until the very end.

Until page 305 wherein his ability to prove his point by hook or by crook reaches its optimum level and the reader cannot help but agree to the author's views about the global economy and the connection between technical advancement and community solidarity.

By providing the example of Osama Bin Ladin, Friedman proves his point that it is not only superpowers but also super humans beings that when equipped with the latest technological tools and aided by strong personal relations and contacts plays a vital role in determining the global economy and the amount of power nations, groups, races and people have (Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree).

One of the most wonderful and thought-provoking quotes from the book is when the writer pens down towards the end, "Sometimes the news is in the noise...But sometimes the news is actually in the silence-- in what isn't being said" (Friedman, The Lexus and The Olive Tree). What he means by this quote is different than how he is conveying what he implies and what he wants his readers to know.

The beauty of the language and creativity at play did wonders in leaving a stimulating impression on my mind. Using a great variety of words and prudently selected sentences, Thomas Friedman's marvelous piece of literary effort offers an insightful journey in the functioning of the global economy (The Lexus). The author clearly yet vividly puts down the rare and much-needed information pertaining to the course of globalization.

Both mundane and magical topics are discussed in detail with profound understanding thereby instantly grabbing the attention as well as arousing the interest of the reader. The intricate yet extremely knowledgeable pearls of wisdom revolving around the international affairs are presented in the form of metaphorical stories thereupon assisting even the inexperienced lot and novices to comprehend the complexities of the economic arena.

With the world rapidly transmuting into a global village, Thomas Friedman offers a beautifully and skillfully woven analysis of the functioning of the global economy and the significance of its existence. As he writes and explains its readers in the very first chapter of his book: (Friedman, Chapter 1, p.

8) The globalization system, unlike the Cold War system, is not static, but a dynamic ongoing process: globalization involves the inexorable integration of markets, nation-states, and technologies to a degree never witnessed before -- in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations, and nation-states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper, and cheaper than ever before, and in a way that is also producing a powerful backlash from those brutalized or left behind by this new system.

Hence the author since the beginning presents the precious information coupled with his hand-on, unbeatable experiences as a foreign affairs journalist and an extensive traveler in the form of a compare and contrast essay thereby tactfully and interestingly highlighting the differences between the "Cold War system" and the "globalization system" (Friedman, Chapter 1 & Chapter 2, Backcover). On a bigger note, the author makes a very successful attempt in defining the globalization process and bringing out its merits as well as demerits.

As the author says in the first chapter only wherein gives away the basic plot and thoroughly prepares his readers what to expect next: "When taken all together the elements of this Cold War system influenced the domestic politics and foreign relations of virtually every country in the world. The Cold War system didn't shape everything, but it shaped many things. Today's era of globalization, which replaced the Cold War, is a similar international system, with its own unique attributes" (Friedman, p. 7-8).

With the author's creative genius at work, Friedman manages to provide little information on the technical aspect of the operational activities of the cyber world though he knows little himself. Being a columnist and a voracious reader of the international affairs (Friedman, The New System, p. 1),.