Longitudes and Attitudes

Longitudes and Attitudes compiles Thomas Friedman's New York Times columns and personal diary entries from the period surrounding September 11, 2001. The book presents his observations and analysis as a foreign affairs columnist during this pivotal moment in global history. Friedman travels extensively through the Middle East and Asia, reporting on the international response to 9/11 and America's evolving role in the world. His columns examine terrorism, Islamic extremism, and the complex diplomatic challenges that emerged in the attack's aftermath. The book combines geopolitical analysis with on-the-ground reporting and Friedman's personal reflections as both a journalist and American citizen during this period. The diary entries provide behind-the-scenes context for his published columns and capture the immediate uncertainty of the post-9/11 landscape. The work stands as a contemporary historical document that captures a key inflection point in modern international relations, examining how a single event reshaped global politics and security in lasting ways.

Readers found Friedman's collection of post-9/11 columns and diary entries provided real-time insights into America's response to terrorism, though many noted the dated feel of the content now. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of Middle East dynamics - Personal on-the-ground reporting - Historical context behind modern conflicts - Accessible writing style for complex topics Common criticisms: - Repetitive content from column to column - Some analysis proved incorrect in hindsight - Pro-Israel bias in coverage - Overuse of metaphors and folksy anecdotes One reader noted: "Reading his immediate reactions to 9/11 puts you back in that uncertain moment, though his policy prescriptions didn't age well." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (300+ ratings) Most readers recommend it as a historical snapshot of post-9/11 American thinking rather than for current geopolitical insights.

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🌟 Thomas Friedman has won three Pulitzer Prizes for his international reporting and commentary, including coverage of the Middle East and global affairs. 📝 The book's title "Longitudes and Attitudes" is a play on words, reflecting both the geographic scope of Friedman's travels and the various perspectives he encountered. 🗞️ Many of the columns included in the book were written while Friedman was serving as the New York Times' foreign affairs columnist, a position he has held since 1995. 🌍 The book was published in 2002, making it one of the first comprehensive journalistic accounts of the immediate aftermath of September 11th from a global perspective. ✈️ During the period covered in the book, Friedman traveled over 100,000 miles across multiple continents, conducting interviews with political leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens affected by the events of 9/11.