Customer Reviews

Runaway World: How Globalization is Reshaping Our Lives

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found the content to be a good overview of Globalization in general. However, this is a very short and very small book and not worth the price. Mr. Giddens basically took a speach on Globalization and tried to turn it into a book. I think you can get a better overview (and cheaper) by reading a few articles published on the topic. You could also get a more in-depth book, of which there are plenty out there.

I realize that this book was created for the masses, but it insults intelligence and makes some sweeping generalizations and essentially promotes a Western imperialist tradition. Giddens admits to some of the criticism of globalization but he glosses over the horrors of ecological risk and global inequalities and touts the joys of democracy as being spread by globalization which results in "pure love" relationships. Somewhat of a stretch of the imagination and too much to cover in 83 little pages with big print. No references make it useless for an interested reader.

Sociologist Anthony Giddens has recently made some notable contributions to political discussion. This books is based on his radio lectures from 1999 which do not have much to do with Gidden's academic conributions. Instead, this is a practical book aimed at general public interested in the current world affairs. In just 100 pages, compact size and absent of academic buzzwords, the book makes an easy and fast read.

The book has five themes: globalization, risk, tradition, family and democracy. Giddens handles them in turn like he would be playing with his favourite football. Shifts feet, moves forward and kicks when the goal is sure. His playing is readable indeed.

One can rise a couple of leading themes from the book. One is the idea of cosmopolitan tolerance. The other one is the doublesided meaning of risk. On the one hand, risk is what globalization has brought to our daily lives and society at large. On the other hand, risk enables the speed of evolution we are now facing in this global village.

In some parts of the book, one can be very impressed how Giddens summarizes in about three paragraphs what others have written in a 300+ pages of treatise. This is the case of e.g. Soros on global capitalism, Bernstein on the meaning of risk and Castells on information society. Though there are no accurate references - there simply couldn't be - Giddens provides in the end a fifteen page list of selected readings with a short comment on each. I found it very helpful way to put my understanding in a more larger context.

Giddens doesn't provide new arguments to the globalization theme. The arguments he does present are underdeveloped and could use much more solid backing up. I found myself confused many times by his circular arguments. The book ends awkwardly, the writing is choppy, and his stance is vague.

This book was required for a entry class at my chosen college and the quality--and the price were perfect! I have to say it would have been a waste to pay any more for such a short book but content makes up for length in this case. There was underlining as described by the seller (which actually turned out to be quite helpful) and i would be happy to make similar purchases in the future.

Giddens has a very big name. but name is name. this book has nothing new or insightful. all are there is reproduced from his previous books. and worse, the pricing is unduly high. if u read already his books, u'd better skip this title.

This was a great read. It was a real eye opener for understanding a lot of the things going on in our society and the world today. It is short, and easy to read. I didn't agree with 100% of what was said, but I think it has some really important ideas for everyone to understand.

Aside from the reflection that neoliberalism is another fundamentalist mouvement in western world, there is too much superficial general knowledge about the state of the planet.
I am even more deceived to see that this book is has a scale down approach of Modernity and self identity.

This book is by far too expensive for a one sitting, basic overlook of the state of the world.

This is a very thin book and easy to read. For anyone who wants to know more about some current debates about globalization, I think it provides a good introduction. For example, the problems of tradition and globalization are precisely discussed. If you look for something more, you will be disappointed.

This book delivers as an interesting introduction/overview of globalization issues including those beyond the conventionally discussed issues of commerce, trade, and economics. Page for page I cannot recommend another book on the subject more highly. Your time and money will have been well spent on this book.