Belen Fernandez analyzes Thomas Friedman’s reporting and books in The Imperial Messenger. As the richest and most powerful journalist in the United States, Friedman’s wealth from his books and speaking fees are legendary. I’ve used Friedman’s books in my classes. But Fernandez exposes Friedman’s errors in reporting, lame predictions, and buffoonery. Friedman has been a cheerleader for globalization, but as we’ve found out with the European debt crisis, globalization can have some serious downsides for our economy. Friedman’s optimism is infectious, but occasionally misleading. Fernandez cites several examples of Friedman being wrong about events in the Middle East, from Iraq to Egypt. Sometimes Fernandez’s critique strays into unproductive areas: who cares that Friedman lives in an 11,400 square foot house (worth over $9 million). But the central focus on Friedman’s mistakes is fascinating…and disturbing. GRADE: B+
No one is perfect. Friedman’s heart is always in the right place. I don’t expect perfection from any journalist.
Fernandez documents Friedman’s drift from journalist to media superstar, Jeff. And some of Friedman’s excesses.
Remembering reading FROM BEIRUT TO JERUSALEM and thinking he was brilliant. Sometimes I still do.
I enjoy Friedman’s work, but when reading him (or any other journalist for that matter) I always wonder what the differing viewpoint is, and if it’s just as compelling. A lot of people desperately want you to figuratively and literally buy their version of world.
FROM BEIRUT TO JERUSALEM is probably Friedman’s best book, Patti. Friedma’s latest book about the decline of America, THAT USED TO BE US, has received very mixed reviews.
Columnists like Friedman are also part of the entertainment industry, Drongo. They have to entertain their readers or lose them.
Why did they put Cliffie Klaven’s picture on the cover.
Not the most flattering photo of Friedman (or Cliff Klaven), Bob. And, not a flattering analysis of Friedman’s writing.