Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution — And How it Can Renew America

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution — And How it Can Renew America cover
Good Books rating 3.17
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  • ID: 4897
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
hopeful 3.50

The book offers a hopeful vision for sustainable agriculture, presenting case studies and philosophical insights, but lacks focus and practicality in its conclusion. The reviewer appreciates the book's message but finds some arguments weak and the structure meandering.

The book takes readers on a journey through various sustainable agricultural practices, primarily in Australia, with a focus on healing the earth through better agricultural methods. The author presents inspiring examples and philosophical insights, advocating for a new 'emergent' mind that synthesizes modern and indigenous knowledge. However, the reviewer finds the book's structure meandering and the conclusion lacking in practicality. While the book is hopeful and introduces many valuable ideas, some arguments are weak, and the lack of detailed references and qualifications detracts from its credibility. The reviewer appreciates the book's message but feels it could be more focused and better supported by scientific evidence.


Quick quotes

    The author’s “five landscape dynamics” are a great tool for understanding landscape function and interconnectedness.

    This is a book of hope.

    I was hoping for a return to the five landscape dynamics, a recapitulation and a bringing together of all the roads the book took us down.

barnesandnoble.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
compelling 3.50

Hot, Flat, and Crowded is a compelling call to action for a green revolution, arguing that America must lead the way in addressing climate change and energy independence. The book presents a comprehensive plan, though some may find its optimism and solutions overly simplistic.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded is a passionate plea for a green revolution, emphasizing the urgent need for America to take the lead in combating climate change and achieving energy independence. Friedman presents a detailed plan, drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience, to outline a path forward. However, some readers might find his solutions overly optimistic and simplistic, as the book tends to gloss over the complex political and economic challenges involved. Nevertheless, the book's central message is clear: a green revolution is not just necessary but also beneficial for America's future.


Quick quotes

    Friedman's argument is compelling and urgent.

    The book presents a comprehensive plan for a green revolution.

    Some may find his solutions overly simplistic.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
mixed 2.50

The reviewer found the book insightful but criticized its structure and lack of critical analysis. They appreciated the sustainable agriculture examples but felt the book could have been more concise and better organized.

The reviewer enjoyed the book and found the examples of sustainable agriculture in Australia particularly interesting. However, they felt the book could have been significantly improved with a better structure and more critical analysis of the theories presented. The reviewer appreciated the anecdotal evidence but found the book's organization confusing and the repetition of quotes tedious. They also felt that the book could have delved deeper into the weaknesses of the new regenerative strategies and provided a more refined conclusion.


Quick quotes

    I enjoyed the book a lot and it certainly gave me some anecdotal evidence of sustainable agriculture in Australia.

    This could have been a five star book. To get there it needed 150 pages chopped out and a serious restructure.

    The ideas in it are life-changing, world-changing even, unfortunately they are buried deep in the sediment of repetition, poor nature writing, and endless quotes.