That Used to Be Us
How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back
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Narrated by:
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Jason Culp
About this listen
America has a huge problem. It faces four major challenges, on which its future depends, and it is failing to meet them. 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, analyze those challenges - globalization, the revolution in information technology, the nation's chronic deficits, and its pattern of energy consumption - and spell out what we need to do now to rediscover America and rise to this moment.
They explain how the end of the cold war blinded the nation to the need to address these issues. They show how our history, when properly understood, provides the key to addressing them, and 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 needs. They offer a way out of the trap into which the country has fallen, which includes the rediscovery of some of our most valuable traditions and the creation of a new, third-party movement.
That Used to Be Us is both a searching exploration of the American condition today and a rousing manifesto for American renewal. "As we were writing this book," Friedman and Mandelbaum explain, "we found that when we shared the title with people, they would often nod ruefully and ask: 'But does it have a happy ending?' Our answer is that we can write a happy ending, but it is up to the country - to all of us - to determine whether it is fiction or nonfiction. We need to study harder, save more, spend less, invest wisely, and get back to the formula that made us successful as a country in every previous historical turn. What we need is not novel or foreign, but values, priorities, and practices embedded in our history and culture, applied time and again to propel us forward as a country. That is all part of our past. That used to be us and can be again - if we will it."
©2011 Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum (P)2011 Macmillan AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Since Alexis de Tocqueville, restlessness has been accepted as a signature American trait. Our willingness to move, take risks, and adapt to change have produced a dynamic economy and a tradition of innovation from Ben Franklin to Steve Jobs. The problem, according to legendary blogger, economist, and best-selling author Tyler Cowen, is that Americans today have broken from this tradition - we're working harder than ever to avoid change.
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MUST READ
- By RJW on 05-06-17
By: Tyler Cowen
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The Miracle
- The Epic Story of Asia's Quest for Wealth
- By: Michael Schuman
- Narrated by: Fred Stella
- Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Spanning nine countries, filled with heroic tales of bold decisions and self-sacrifice, and probing vast historical undercurrents, "The Miracle" takes readers inside private boardroom meetings, heated business negotiations, factory floors, and presidential cabinet sessions for a behind-the-scenes look at the events that shaped Asia's economic ascent - and will shape the world in the century to come.
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Packed with stories of both bussinesses and gov
- By Roman on 11-21-12
By: Michael Schuman
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The New Geography of Jobs
- By: Enrico Moretti
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Today, there are three Americas. At one extreme are the brain hubs with workers who are among the most productive, creative, and best-paid on the planet. At the other extreme are former manufacturing capitals that are rapidly losing jobs and residents. The rest of America could go either way. For the past 30 years, the three Americas have been growing apart at an accelerating rate. This divergence is one the most important developments in the history of the US and is reshaping the very fabric of our society. But the winners and losers aren't necessarily who you'd expect.
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Almost Stopped Listening
- By R. Hartley on 03-29-19
By: Enrico Moretti
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The Impulse Society
- America in the Age of Instant Gratification
- By: Paul Roberts
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
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Paul Robert digs down to the economic roots of the problem, shows how it has metastisized to affect every facet of our lives and our ability to navigate the future. In clear, cogent prose that mixes illuminating analysis and vibrant reporting, Roberts not only tells the fascinating story of how the impulse society came to be, but shows how, perhaps, a healthier society may still be possible.
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A Must-Listen for Millenials
- By Doug - Audible on 03-31-15
By: Paul Roberts
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Supercapitalism
- The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life
- By: Robert B. Reich
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- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
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Since the 1970s, and notwithstanding three recessions, the U.S. economy has soared. American capitalism has been a triumph, and it has spread throughout the world. At the same time, argues the former U.S. secretary of labor, Robert B. Reich, the effectiveness of democracy in America has declined. It has grown less responsive to the citizenry, and people are feeling more and more helpless as a result.
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Robert Reich for V.P. (of the U.S.)
- By Horace on 11-07-07
By: Robert B. Reich
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The Third Industrial Revolution
- How Lateral Power Is Transforming Energy, the Economy, and the World
- By: Jeremy Rifkin
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Author Jeremy Rifkin presents an insider's account of the next great economic era: the Third Industrial Revolution, when a new ethic of sustainability will revolutionize the world we live in.
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Lamenting "The Third Industrial Revolution"
- By Joshua Kim on 05-01-12
By: Jeremy Rifkin
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Average is Over
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The widening gap between rich and poor means dealing with one big, uncomfortable truth: If you're not at the top, you're at the bottom. The global labor market is changing radically thanks to growth at the high end and the low. About three quarters of the jobs created in the United States since the great recession pay only a bit more than minimum wage. Still, the United States has more millionaires and billionaires than any country ever, and we continue to mint them.
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Disappointing analysis of future
- By JKBart on 12-10-13
By: Tyler Cowen
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Start-Up Nation
- The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle
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Start-Up Nation addresses the trillion dollar question: How is it that Israel - a country of 7.1 million, only 60 years old, surrounded by enemies, in a constant state of war since its founding, with no natural resources - produces more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada, and the UK?
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Interesting and worth the time
- By Nili on 12-10-09
By: Dan Senor, and others
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Dealing with China
- An Insider Unmasks the New Economic Superpower
- By: Henry M. Paulson
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 18 hrs and 31 mins
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When Hu Jintao, China's then vice president, came to visit the New York Stock Exchange and Ground Zero in 2002, he asked Hank Paulson to be his guide. It was a testament to the pivotal role that Goldman Sachs played in helping China experiment with private enterprise. In Dealing with China, the best-selling author of On the Brink draws on his unprecedented access to both the political and business leaders of modern China to answer several key questions.
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A Valuable Book on China
- By Michael Moore on 09-04-15
By: Henry M. Paulson
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The Prosperity Paradox
- How Innovation Can Lift Nations out of Poverty
- By: Clayton M. Christensen, Efosa Ojomo, Karen Dillon
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
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Clayton M. Christensen, the author of such business classics as The Innovator’s Dilemma and the New York Times best-seller How Will You Measure Your Life, and coauthors Efosa Ojomo and Karen Dillon reveal why so many investments in economic development fail to generate sustainable prosperity and offers a groundbreaking solution for true and lasting change.
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Simplistic, lack of insights
- By D. Cameron on 05-24-21
By: Clayton M. Christensen, and others
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Kids These Days
- Human Capital and the Making of Millennials
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Everyone knows "what's wrong with millennials". Glenn Beck says we've been ruined by "participation trophies". Simon Sinek says we have low self-esteem. An Australian millionaire says millennials could all afford homes if we'd just give up avocado toast. Thanks, millionaire. This millennial is here to prove them all wrong.
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A devastating dream of revolution
- By Kevin Tierney Jr on 11-23-17
By: Malcolm Harris
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What listeners say about That Used to Be Us
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Chris Johnson
- 08-07-20
Pursuit of Happiness
This Inspiring book has opened my eyes a little wider to the need for me to utilize my time and effort in this ever changing world. I’m excited that the book went over America’s history of political being. With protests, Covid hovering around, and the school system in a panic, I must say this book has hit the nail on the head. Maybe a change is coming.
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- Scott
- 05-07-12
A Very Good Read
If you could sum up That Used to Be Us in three words, what would they be?
There are some subjects in this book which are a "wake up call."
What about Jason Culp’s performance did you like?
Well read.
Any additional comments?
Having read both what others consider conservative and liberal books, I think that these
gentlemen have stumbled on certain truths that all Americans should take a closer look as
gobalization becomes a greater part of our lives. As with any book, this book should be read in context and compared with the reader's experience with other books. Our founding fathers taught us to at least be open to other's ideas. This is a good read especially when
read before or after reading Thomas Sowell books. Another interesting comparision is Mark Steyn books
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1 person found this helpful
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- Michael Priebe, MD
- 11-22-11
Amazing!
This is one of the most important books I have read in many years. The authors really seem to have a grasp on the issues that our society is facing and offer excellent insight into what needs to be done to get us back on track. I highly recommend this book for anyone who cares about where we are as a society, how we got there, and what we need to do.
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- fred
- 11-10-11
Medicine tastes bad but it works
I am a Tom Friedman fan. I like his writing style. I like his point of view. The authors are pushing some really important stuff that we need to address now, not eventually. They come down really hard on many of our leaders. They point out over and over and over and over and over again the problems and do come up with some solutions but like most medicine, the solutions don't taste good. They're good writers, so they end the book with nice positive, success stories. Don't be a wimp. Don't just jump to the end to hear the good stuff. Take your medicine like a good kid and you'll feel better at the end.
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- Denise
- 06-04-12
Wake up US - it's a global world
Would you consider the audio edition of That Used to Be Us to be better than the print version?
I preferred the audio version of this book.
Any additional comments?
It is a good recap of history and what we need to do to get back to being a leader in the world!
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-31-17
Excellent Book
Book provides a great framework for how to look at the challenges the nation faces and posits a plan for putting America back on a path of sustained growth. Defi
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- YuanhangZhang
- 03-02-22
Nice narrative
This book/audio has consistent high quality as " The world is flat". I like it!
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- Soudant
- 09-16-11
We have met the enemy and it is us.... Pogo
Thomas Friedman & Michael Mandlebaum raise familiar issues and if you read Friedman's "The World is Flat" you will follow this theme. When Friedman wrote that book in 2005 there was no Facebook, no Twitter, no 3D printers and few smart-phones. These and many more changes have become a part of our environment in the past six years. The authors repeatedly ask what is the United States doing to ensure its' citizens have enough education and resources to compete in the new global environment? What happens to our workforce as routine work is shifted to anyplace on the globe or to a machine? In 1970 my first employer, New York Telephone, employed 106,000 people just for New York State and today Verizon has 194,400 for over half the country. NYT once employed 32,000 phone operators all of which are gone with some having been replaced by a machine.
I started listening to Friedman's 16-hour audio book but soon realized it required a hard copy to reference. A lot of information some of which is intense. The authors attempt to put a positive spin on the problems that are accumulating in the US but one reviewer noted that simply describing the problems makes solutions seem overwhelming. This book is an excellent compendium of the major challenges that must be resolved. At the heart of their thesis is information technology and the internet have changed everything and the US is slipping behind that curve at an accelerating rate.
For example: On Sunday our washing machine broke. On Monday I called the company who serviced it five years ago. On Tuesday a repairman arrived. If the machine was unrepairable they would give me a $50 credit for a new machine which they would deliver, install and remove the old machine. I asked if they are still in Teaneck, NJ so I could see what they sold. "Henry" told me they closed all their retail stores four years ago and everything is now done on the internet. They would email me links to recommended machines and I could choose one that would be delivered by a third party. I asked if he was in India and he said no, but how can I know? The repairman arrived, diagnosed a defective water pump, took a picture of the plate with serial and model numbers on an iPhone, emailed it back to dispatch and told me it would cost about $300 to repair. The replacement water pump was manufactured in China.
In essence I am dealing with a virtual company and I learned that the repairmen are all contract employes who are dispatched like taxicabs and obtain parts from a central depot. This is the new business model and an significant percentage of our adult population is or will be unemployed as a result.
Note I ordered Friedman's book book from a Seattle company on Saturday and it was delivered with free-shipping for $15.23 on Tuesday afternoon originating in a warehouse somewhere over the rainbow. The audio version was downloaded from Audible and arrived three minutes after placing the order. If you are in the CD &/or Book business (like Borders, Sam's, Circuit City and Tower Records) you are history along with the careers of many otherwise good people.
Our national goals must have much much more majesty than elimination of government and lower taxes. If our national objective is only inwardly focused reductions then our children and grandchildren are guaranteed to drive on roads with potholes, slow trains that run off schedule, intermittent power, diseases brought about by unprocessed sewage from broken filtration plants, increased social unrest, high energy prices, bosses with foreign accents, more Homeland Security initiatives and no meaningful future such as the one many of us found back in the early 1960s when we entered the workforce.
Robert Soudant
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49 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Quinn Wilson
- 02-14-17
Thorough and eye opening
Makes very interesting points in the political system and state of America and seemed to have foresaw many of the issues we are now facing 5 years after the book's release
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- .
- 11-23-11
Friedman & Mandelbaum do what their title says
Friedman & Mandelbaum do what their title says they will do. They discuss all the ways America has become self-delusional in it's own success and as a result not seen the error its ways to maintain itself as a superpower. We've begun to falter and now it's too late to turn this boat string of bad decisions around without making serious sacrifices..is the argument being made here.
I like how this book isn't democrat or republican it's truth and real solutions. It's thoughtful and not political. Perfect for the independent thinker who likes hearing truth and good ideas from whoever they originate. This book covers so much that even Tiger Mom got mentioned. There's so much discussed that I had to take a break with part 1. I'll come back to part 2 I suppose when I get frustrated with politics once again and ...again start looking for answers outside of that world.
Another problem with this audiobook presenting so much information, you sometimes want to stop and further research statements or references made. So it takes you even longer to get through and you wish you really had the physical book so that you could do some actual bookmarking. As a visual, hands-on person sometimes I wish I had the REAL book to go along with my audiobook.
But anyway, politics, the global economy, education, china/BRIC, the "good ole days" in America, should we become more like China?, America's ability to compete in the global economy, what type of jobs will we see in the future, which will become obsolete? So many many interesting topics discussed here. If done as a lecture series or discussion group this would easily be an entire semester's worth of material and you would still have a million assignments to do at home.
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1 person found this helpful