Read the Prologue:
The Super-Story
In the spring of 2002, Thomas L. Friedman won his
third Pulitzer Prize "for his clarity of vision,
based on extensive reporting, in commenting on the
worldwide impact of the terrorist threat" after
the attacks of September 11, 2001. This virtually
unprecedented recognition by the fraternity of journalists
underlines Friedman's unique ability to interpret
the world for American readers clearly, insightfully,
and memorably. Twice a week, his celebrated commentary
provides the most trenchant, pithy, and illuminating
perspective on world affairs we have, setting the
terms of debate for the thorniest, most hotly contested
issues, not only in the United States, but abroad
as well.
Longitudes and Attitudes is made up of the
columns Friedman has published about September 11,
the most momentous news story of our time, as well
as a diary of his private experiences and reflections
during his reporting on the post-September 11 world,
as the author travels from Afghanistan to Israel to
Europe to Indonesia to Saudi Arabia. He talks with
the major players in the story and to men and women
in bazaars, schools, and alleyways, developing and
refining his unique perspective on the new kind of
war America finds itself fighting. As Friedman puts
it, the book is "not meant to be a comprehensive
study of September 11 and all the factors that went
into it. Rather, my hope is that it will constitute
a 'word album' that captures and preserves the raw,
unpolished emotional and analytical responses that
illustrate how I, and others, felt as we tried to
grapple with September 11 and its aftermath."
Readers have repeatedly said that Friedman has expressed
the essence of their own feelings, helping them not
only by explaining who "they" are, but also
by reassuring us about who "we" are. More
than any other journalist writing, Friedman gives
voice to America's awakening sense of a radically
new world and our own complex place in it.
Reviews
"Sharply pointed, finely delivered observations
. . . essential reading for anyone keeping track on
world events over the last year." --Kirkus
Reviews
