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Summary: Should Have Been Written....And All Should Read!
Review: . "The Long Boom".....simply an awesome visionary GLOBAL BLUEPRINT ...... professional career and life shaping content......By 2050, the world may come back and cite the book's authors as the forefathers of the course vision which attempts germination of harmonious global community convergence. ....establishes a practical mindset of vast scope political, social, economic, global inter-dynamics ...should be classified must read material at every worldwide higher learning institution, in the same manner that Ethics and Business Policy is required at every MBA program as capstone courses. Very well repected Washington Kiplinger Editors offer similar book reporting similar trends in Global Business, Geo-politics and Technology.... ...."World Boom Ahead".... ...never expect a guarranty how mankind will advance globally......but plenty of room for thoughtful, practical blueprints and scenario planning..... ...offers very practical advice for world's business and political leaders....not intended to be a detailed roadmap for global destiny.... If for the first 50 years of the world's 21st century mankind aligns toward this course blueprint, then mankind has the opportunity to make up for the tragic first 50 years of the world's 20th century. All need to read this book so as to know what policies to be demanding from their local, state, regional, federal politicians and business enterprise leaders. Scott D. Barnette 37 yrs old Sr. Sales Director Hitachi Corporation
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Summary: The Long Boom is only one scenario
Review: I'm a big Schwartz fan from "Art of The Long View". That being the case, I was disappointed to see that he didn't take his own advice in structuring the content of "The Long Boom". "The Long View" stressed developing best, worst and most likely scenariois to develop plans of actions to deal with future events. "The Long Boom" from my perspective dwells only on the best case scenario. Environmental and social issues are addressed, but the scenario is too tidy to believe. The strength of the book revolves around the explanation of ground-breaking technologies on the horizon. I think the integration of these technologies are very plausible, but remain to be seen. The book is definitely worth a read.
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Summary: Working is learning. The best companies are the best schools
Review: The best producing processes copy the best learning ways ! Learning is fighting with difficulty and catching other people help until you succeed : it's the web world way !
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: The concept of the Long Boom is an important one, but this book does not do it justice. The authors attempt to make their point by combining three disparate text threads into one theme, but this combination of non-fiction and parable comes off more like dueling banjos. The first thread is a fairly shallow narrative recounting the familiar causes to which most now attribute our current prosperity - network effects, globalization, info technology etc. The second thread follows a fictional American yuppie's life through his annual Christmas letters to several buddies. This recounts his journey from sensitive college grad to Big Chill Volvo owner. The third text is a "transcript" from a fictional news show from 2050 that identifies the Open Source Movement, the downfall of Microsoft and similar developments shortly after the turn of the Millennium as the key turning points that make possible the ensuing 50 year long boom. This book could have been so much better.
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Summary: An easy read, very upbeat but
Review: The different technology's explored in The Long Boom that will begin to mature as we move into the 21st century are very interesting and, I believe, essentially correct. The biggest shortcoming of the book is the author's constant reference to solving global warming, A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT EXIST. Time and again the author's reference this topic and it distracts from the upbeat, visionary, look into the future.
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Summary: Great prophets of our time!
Review: This book, while entertaining in parts, is simply too good to be true. The seemingly near-perfect existence posited is so sickly-sweet that it is difficult to read at times. I also found the journal type entires interrupted the flow rather than enhanced the message. It smacks of Kubrick's vision of the year we are currently in. I suggest people read the book but ask the question - is this ever going to happen in our materialistic, pessimistic, self-obsessed non-Disney world?
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Summary: Reads Like a Novel
Review: This easy-to-read, collaborative, and well-edited book reads like a mystery novel without the mystery as the plot is revealed in the introduction. The story is about the economic opportunity before the world now. Three technological waves (futurists love waves) are washing the shores of nations worldwide: the internet, biotechnical manipulation and lower-cost energy. This is however less a book about technology and more about a new politics (think, fresh mind sets) needed to renew lagging economies, save the planet, enhance the role of women, prepare for the new sciences and, thus, realize a new global civilization. The authors' method of discovery (i.e., research) was world-touring among an impressive list of leading thinkers. The story begins in the previous century (1980's, more or less) and ends about 2050, 30 years beyond the predicted new civilization. The result is some kind of "blue print" for the future. The story will warm the hearts of optimists; pessimists will be less convinced. The book comes with a fine index, rather general footnotes, an annotated bibliography and the now ubiquitious web site illustrating one of the 10 principle beliefs/behaviors the authors' promote: Stay Connected.
Rating:
Summary: Reads Like a Novel
Review: This easy-to-read, collaborative, and well-edited book reads like a mystery novel without the mystery as the plot is revealed in the introduction. The story is about the economic opportunity before the world now. Three technological waves (futurists love waves) are washing the shores of nations worldwide: the internet, biotechnical manipulation and lower-cost energy. This is however less a book about technology and more about a new politics (think, fresh mind sets) needed to renew lagging economies, save the planet, enhance the role of women, prepare for the new sciences and, thus, realize a new global civilization. The authors' method of discovery (i.e., research) was world-touring among an impressive list of leading thinkers. The story begins in the previous century (1980's, more or less) and ends about 2050, 30 years beyond the predicted new civilization. The result is some kind of "blue print" for the future. The story will warm the hearts of optimists; pessimists will be less convinced. The book comes with a fine index, rather general footnotes, an annotated bibliography and the now ubiquitious web site illustrating one of the 10 principle beliefs/behaviors the authors' promote: Stay Connected.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is full of hope and optimism, yet grounded in the reality of today's world. The authors have developed a "possible" vision of the future...not a "prediction." That, to me, means there is something beyond the horizon that is worth working towards. The content of the book also provided me a wealth of information about our world today and I feel I had a chance to get caught up on "current events." Furthermore, the authors put these events into a context that gave them new meaning. I also liked the way the book was written. The letters written in current time and the documentary broadcast in the future looking back at the past 40 years added some very interesting perpectives. The Long Boom should be required reading for everyone as it opens up a door to what is possible that most people don't consider in the narrow viewpoint of daily living.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is full of hope and optimism, yet grounded in the reality of today's world. The authors have developed a "possible" vision of the future...not a "prediction." That, to me, means there is something beyond the horizon that is worth working towards. The content of the book also provided me a wealth of information about our world today and I feel I had a chance to get caught up on "current events." Furthermore, the authors put these events into a context that gave them new meaning. I also liked the way the book was written. The letters written in current time and the documentary broadcast in the future looking back at the past 40 years added some very interesting perpectives. The Long Boom should be required reading for everyone as it opens up a door to what is possible that most people don't consider in the narrow viewpoint of daily living.
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