31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For geopolitics junkies, September 30, 2009
This review is from: Obama Does Globalistan (Paperback)
Once again Pepe Escobar, one of the most astute observers of the world scene, signs here a reference guide on our crazy world.
Except for the format of the book (large and thin) it could be a travel phrasebook for the news navigator.
No litterature here, just different shades of light on facts, facts, facts.
As far as intelligence means making connections (inter lego), this is a pretty pure: you will not find detailed meeting reports in here, or day by day analysis of the Russia-Georgian war, but for the avid reader of news Pepe Escobar makes the connections between seemingly non-related events. His forte: looking at the same situation from the different points of view, backed up by a life devoted to meeting the actors to get their first hand interpretation.
For those who have read Pepe Escobar's Pipelinistan, the ceter part of this book is essentially an update on the subject - just great.
This is not a book for the casual reader. Actually it is best read close to Google, Wikipedia or CIA world fact book as Pepe does not detail much the facts beyond mentioning them.
Every paragraph, nearly each sentence is meaningful to a point that would render the reading tedious were it not for the humor and light style.
All in all one of the most enlightening books you could get on geopolitics / geostrategy provided you are alerady somewhat versed in the subject. Certainly not a Christmas present for your average 16 something Beyonce-loving niece.
For me a clear killer - a well deserved five stars.
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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear sighted, April 18, 2009
This review is from: Obama Does Globalistan (Paperback)
Most of this slim volume just brings up to date the geopolitics of oil and gas that the author develops at length in the earlier book, Globalistan.
However, it's worth a read because the first section sums up vividly the reality confronting Obama. There's an itemization of what voters who backed him want from the Obama presidency: a dandy list handy for check-off come 2012.
Mr. Escobar points out that the Obama promise of "change" turned quickly to "experience" once he was elected and started to place people in positions.
The author asks at the beginning of the book if perhaps the Obama administration is going to be just a way to tamp down the rage of progressives to keep them from true change-making activism.
The book concludes with an extensive observation by David Harvey who says we will have to wait and see if Obama merely perpetuates a kinder, gentler version of the neo-liberalism of the past three decades.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Benchmark Book?, May 21, 2009
This review is from: Obama Does Globalistan (Paperback)
Mr. Escobar likes to call himself The Roving Eye. This description might be off as it implies a wide, ambling view. There is nothing ambling about Escobar's stiletto-sharp observations, which, I'm sure make, many people in power nervous. In Obama Does Globalistan, the author, a frequent critic of U.S. foreign policy, reveals his optimism about Obama and gives the new president the benefit of the doubt. I wonder if Escobar plans to use this essay as a measuring benchmark in a year or so.
For anyone interested in foreign affairs and the U.S. position in the world, Obama Does Globalistan is a must read.
Kingmaker
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