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That Used to Be Us (Abridged): How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,644 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
America is in trouble. We face four major challenges on which our future depends, and we are failing to meet them—and if we delay any longer, soon it will be too late for us to pass along the American dream to future generations. In That Used to Be Us, Thomas L. Friedman, one of our most influential columnists, and Michael Mandelbaum, one of our leading foreign policy thinkers, offer both a wake-up call and a call to collective action. They analyze the four challenges we face—globalization, the revolution in information technology, the nation's chronic deficits, and our pattern of excessive energy consumption—and spell out what we need to do now to sustain the American dream and preserve American power in the world. They explain how the end of the Cold War blinded the nation to the need to address these issues seriously, and how China's educational successes, industrial might, and technological prowess remind us of the ways in which "that used to be us." They explain how the paralysis of our political system and the erosion of key American values have made it impossible for us to carry out the policies the country urgently needs. And yet Friedman and Mandelbaum believe that the recovery of American greatness is within reach. They show how America's history, when properly understood, offers a five-part formula for prosperity that will enable us to cope successfully with the challenges we face. They offer vivid profiles of individuals who have not lost sight of the American habits of bold thought and dramatic action. They propose a clear way out of the trap into which the country has fallen, a way that includes the rediscovery of some of our most vital traditions and the creation of a new thirdparty movement to galvanize the country. That Used to Be Us is both a searching exploration of the American condition today and a rousing manifesto for American renewal.
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"The hardest part of reading this book was setting aside preconceived notions in order to fairly analyze what Friedman and Mandelbaum clearly lay out. The authors stick fairly close to centrist ideas though some political leanings come through in their choice of examples and descriptions. While the presentation of problems and solutions are the opinions of the authors, they come across in an honest, credible manner. Whether you agree or disagree with the content, there is no doubt this book is thought provoking and intellectually challenging especially if you are worried about the future of the US."
— Paul (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“[In That Used to Be Us there] are big truths, and the authors see them clearly and whole. As is usual in Mr. Friedman's work the power of the core argument is buttressed by detailed reportage and blizzards of specific fact and detail, but the accumulation of anecdote and evidence never detracts from the book's central thrust. That Used to Be Us is an important contribution to an intensifying debate, and it deserves the widest possible attention.
— Walter Russell Mead, The New York Times -
Friedman and Mandelbaum are men of the American elite, and they write to salute those members of the American elite who behave public-spiritedly and to scourge those who do not. They are winners, writing to urge other winners to have more of a care for their fellow citizens who are not winners. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that! . . . American society has had a big serving of that ugly anti-elitist spirit in the recent past. It could use more of the generous responsible spirit Friedman and Mandelbaum recommend.
— David Frum, The New York Times Book Review -
[An] important and eminently readable book…
— Stanley Hoffmann, The New York Review of Books -
This is a book of exceptional importance, written on a sweeping scale with remarkable clarity by two of our most gifted thinkers. A soon-to-be best seller, it should be read by policymakers and every American concerned about our country's future.
— Elizabeth L. Winter, Library Journal
That Used to Be Us Listener Reviews
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" Scary. Easy to read and really makes you think "
— Krista, 2/19/2014 -
" While I do not necessarily agree with Friedman or Mandelbaum's political leanings, I do think Mr. Friedman is an excellent analyst. Some intriguing ideas, with hope. "
— Sandra, 2/19/2014 -
" For those Friedman fans, another compelling read. Bitingly true and a call to action "
— J, 2/5/2014 -
" An excellent book even with the occasional overstatements. There really some great insights about the state of the American economy. The problem is I don't think anyone in power is listening. "
— Robert, 2/2/2014 -
" I did really like this book, but gave up halfway. Part of a good read is being in the mood for it. I'd like to finish it on audiobook, because it is the kind of nonfiction read that I like listening to while driving versus giving my undivided attention too. I feel like the authors were preaching to the choir. Although I wasn't learning as much as I would have liked, it is well written and I felt like I was at a gathering listening to a very intelligent conversation. "
— Rickyjez, 1/25/2014 -
" well argued, relevant, and most importantly - nonpartisan. "
— cristina, 1/22/2014 -
" A very interesting book that offers a wide range of solutions to the huge problems facing this country today. "
— Tim, 1/22/2014 -
" An important book for Americans to read. "
— Douglas, 1/19/2014 -
" I think every American should read this book. "
— Selena, 1/3/2014 -
" I didn't think I'd ever finish this book! It took me so long because it crams a lot of facts and figures in its pages, and gives one a great deal to think about. By turns inspiring and depressing, I feel as if this book should be read by everyone. "
— Paula, 11/26/2013 -
" I LOVE Friedman! Easy to understand, many ah ha moments and gives a disappointing yet inspiring picture of the state of our country. "
— Jessica, 11/15/2013 -
" Excellent. He has great insights. The first third of the book was a lot of rehashing of material from previous books, but then that was probably important to build the foundation for the rest of the book. I highly recommend this. "
— John, 8/17/2013 -
" A little depressing. It would be nice if our leaders in Washington would read this book and follow some of its recommendations. "
— Vicki, 5/4/2013 -
" I read several books in January regarding how to re-vitalized America. In this one, the authors offer a number of possible solutions. Intriguing. "
— Linda, 2/26/2013 -
" Nice to read a book that finds both reds and blues to be at fault and not helping in the current political climate. Jibes well with my own views of liberal anarchy "
— Fred, 12/21/2012 -
" Typical Friedman. Parts make you want to paint your face Red White & Blue. Parts make you want to bang your head on the table. "
— Thomas, 10/22/2012 -
" Excellent! Right on the money. Yes, we need a third political to serve as "shock therapy" for our political system. "
— LasVegasBookie, 9/3/2012 -
" An important lesson to Brazil: our problems are the results of choices we made, and just us can solve them. "
— Marcello, 8/30/2012 -
" Another good book by Thomas Friedman. A comprehensive evaluation of all the issues facing the United States including globalization, IT, deficit and energy. Provides an overview of the problems such as bipartisan politics and education issues. Makes recommendations. Must read before the elections. "
— Nivas, 11/7/2011 -
" A broad look at how America is losing its competitive edge in the world, and strategies that we can implement to stop this decline. "
— Terri, 11/1/2011 -
" This is a tough love book about what needs to change for us to be competitive again. Better education, improved global outlook, better trained workforce, better infrastructure "
— Catherine, 11/1/2011 -
" Not too much new in the areas of the economy and education. The parts on business were interesting. We will see what happens with the third party idea. "
— Jacqueline, 10/31/2011 -
" A real eye opener into where we really stand in the global game these days, and its crazy how dumb we're actually being about things. "
— Jenn, 10/17/2011 -
" I thought this was a little general. Friedman cold have summarized this in about half the pages "
— Luigib, 10/12/2011 -
" Excellent critique of current economic, political, and environmental place we are today and why that's changed from where we were a generation ago--and how to accomplish a do-over before it's too late "
— Vince, 10/8/2011 -
" The message is simple and the examples are plentiful. It will be interesting to see if they take hold in the USA or in another country. <br/> <br/> "
— Christian, 10/7/2011
About the Authors
Thomas L. Friedman has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize three times for his work with the New York Times as a foreign affairs columnist. Popular with a large range of readers, his book Hot, Flat, and Crowded was an international bestseller. He is also the author of From Beirut to Jerusalem, The Lexus and the Olive Tree, Longitudes and Attitudes, and The World Is Flat. He currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland.
Michael Mandelbaum is the Christian A. Herter Professor of American Foreign Policy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is the author or coauthor of more than a dozen books, including The Ideas That Conquered the World, and with Thomas L. Friedman, the New York Times bestseller That Used to Be Us.
About Michael Mandelbaum
Jason Culp, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has been acting since the age of ten, and his credits include a variety of television, theater, and film roles. He is best known for his role as Julian Jerome on General Hospital. In addition to audiobooks and voice-over work in national commercials, he has also narrated documentaries for National Geographic and the History Channel.