From Silk to Silicon: The Story of Globalization Through Ten Extraordinary Lives

This book draws connections between people and events that most of us would never have thought to make, but once made, will never forget.For example, I bought "From Silk to Silicon" because I was interested in learning more about just one of the ten individuals that Jeffrey Garten chose to profile, namely Margaret Thatcher. I knew he drew heavily upon Daniel Yergin's excellent book, "The Commanding Heights" which I also believe to be a must read book, so I hoped that it might simply contain a few morsels of new info that might essentially serve as a substitute for a much needed sequel to that book.I was worried that the supposed attempts to bring each personality to life would consist of the same sort of non-substantive filler that some authors have included in other books apparently in an effort to demonstrate that by knowing someone ordered roast beef for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon in a swank restaurant with blue tablecloths and matching napkins, this would prove how much more knowledgeable they were than the rest of us about the views held and/or the actions taken by an important figure. But, fortunately, what I found instead was an excellent summary of the life and times of The Iron Lady and the ongoing relevance of her bold actions to the world in which we live today that touched upon her personal life only to the extent necessary to add insight, followed by some enlightening commentaries by Jeffrey Garten himself, e.g.,"Still, it is worth taking a minute to reflect not just on the nature of the revolution that Thatcher wrought but also on its ultimate impact. ...The future of globalization belongs to a judicious balance between the private and the public, between competition and collaboration, between the market and the state, between what nations can do on their own and what they must do together--in other words, between Thatcher and [Jean] Monnet [who is profiled in another chapter of the book]. This much is certain: given the economic and social pressures that have arisen around the world--such as slow growth, income inequality, and high public-sector debt--a major debate is now taking place concerning the size, scope, and function of the public sector. These issues are at the heart of what managing globalization is all about, and the ideas and policies of Margaret Thatcher will never be far from the center of those heated discussions."Although I had intended to read only one additional profile, that of Deng Xiaoping, now, I can't wait to read the profile of Jean Monnet as well, along with all of the remaining profiles, so I can enjoy each of those "ah-hah" moments when previously unseen patterns emerge that help us to see the world around us from a more enlightened perspective. Hopefully, it will enable us to collectively shape a better world--one that finally recognizes this time around that "It's about the people, stupid" and in that sense maybe it will be Jeffrey Garten who will earn a chapter in a future book of this kind, although I would also like to learn more about the lives of all of us who are affected by globalization, not just the lives of those who have played a role in bringing it about.

A comparison to the Thomas L. Friedman multi book series on globalization beginning with The Lexus And The Olive Tree in 2000 is inevitable; especially given the Garten chosen title From Silk To Silicon. But whereas Friedman weaves his own personal interviews and reflections to demonstrate “the tension between the (modern) globalization system and the ancient forces of culture, geography, tradition, and community” Garten allows the reader to see and feel, and thereby appreciate the varied contributions made by leaders of their time to the development and growth of an interconnected world as opposed one at odds. Garten paints a different picture, offering both the positive and negative of his profiled personalities as he concentrates on how the world grew up, moved forward as the exchange of cultures, ideas, religious practices, innovations and a host of other human endeavors allowed regional populations to assimilate into a more pronounced global society. By having the opportunity to emulate and barrow from each other was the growth of civilization fostered. He still recognizes that societies differ as the historic periods in which each individual is depicted clearly exemplifies the contrasts. But in the end all his renowned figures fueled the globalization engine and this is the main theme of the book. Whether one concludes that this ongoing phenomenon is too be adjudged good or bad is left to the reader to decide.My only negative lies in the presentational pedagogy of the book. Readers would be well advised not to skip the introduction, as many do, and to concentrate a bit more on the chapter ending commentaries after the specific life profile is finished as well as the last chapter titled ‘The Best is Yet to Come.’ The word globalization connotes a rather negative reaction in today’s linguistic nomenclature. It has been hijacked by agenda driven critics that want to place it in the context of a capitalistic scheme to economically control the world to the detriment of those who are taken undue advantage of. In the modern age corporations are the villains as such organizations have taken advantage of the process of globalization to accomplish their material goals. While there is ample justification throughout history for such accusations attributable to any dominating and influential global initiating individual or entity, the true reality of globalization is that the process is about connecting the world – no less and no more. These ten extraordinary personages brought the world together and that ability in itself is amazing.As the author of The Roots of Globalization and Business Principles, Second Ed., 2015 (also available on Amazon) I approached the subject matter of this book with some anxious considerations. In the writing of my own book a review editor encouraged me to put a human face on the historical prospective as such resonates more deeply with readers then a mundane textbook examining events as opposed to the motivational personalities of the individuals that caused them. Telling a story about people is always more engaging then pouring over a record of what has transpired. When events are viewed through the prism of individuals the adjustment lens is more strongly focused. Although I injected the personal effect of globalization into my efforts Professor Garten has certainly succeeded. The book would make for an excellent companion, a supplemental to my own book. When read together they allow for a more well-rounded effective understanding of the globalization phenomenon.Each chapter focuses on the exceptional lives of extraordinary figures whose achievements form the strands of the tapestry called the development and growth of civilization or the more common applied generic term globalization. The excellent research culminates in a vivid detailed portrayal of the notable lives presented. Over a historic time line these individuals allowed for the progression of civilization in numerous fields of endeavor. Genghis Khan contributed by instituting authoritative organizational structures over vast territories and varied cultures. Prince Henry initiated exploration of the then unknown while Robert Clive combined business, military and governmental components to expand the reach of his country. In the economic arena Mayer Rothschild created and used commercial instruments to link the world whereas Cyrus Field showed how the entrepreneurial driver coupled with technology could allow the world to communicate. John D. Rockefeller in the energy field shaped the blueprint for the transnational corporation but also laid the basis for corporate social responsibility (CSR). Jean Monnet and Margaret Thatcher via their political positions advanced the notion that the world needed to be viewed on a broader horizon and thereby offered policies that eclipsed their national identities. Andrew Grove revisited the innovation arena giving the world a unifying tool. Deng Xiaoping began the transformation of the world’s largest country from a closed society to a partner in the world. Such stories make for interesting good reading not just for students of history but for the general public.It is interesting that the word globalization is not exactly defined by the author. Generally it signifies a process to denote the continuing interlinkage of people around the world. This has come about due to the natural human desire to reach out beyond their birth borders via ecological migration or the desire to secure territories through war or the more advanced peaceful intention to exchange resources. This last consideration, the trading imperative, invokes an economic and therefore commercial context and tends to be the modern association of the term globalization even though it is laced with socio-political implications.

this was a fun quick read. the stories some great take-a-away facts that were easily digestible and memorable. it's basically accessible history for non-history buffs!.

Super livre

Crash course through middle ages and people who influenced it. Very interesting to learn how fast things changed in the last few hundred years. You don't need to read 10,000 pages to learn history. Need more books like this one, great deal of history covered from across the globe, brief but precise.

I'm not usually a big reader but I heard about this thorough FP's global thinkers politics. I have read this over a few months, it's a brilliant read, it's really accessible (I am a politics student so it might be a bit bias, although my dad also read it and found it easy to follow despite not having a personal interest in politics) and has a narrative like flow that gives it a better pacing than something like Marr's history of modern Britain.The truly great part of this book is the way it writes about historical systems in a modern context, it has changed the way a few things from things that one would assume are really modern to a natural progression of systems that have driven globalisation for centuries (particularly in financial matters). I would recommend this to anyone who has even slight interest in history, politics or foreign affairs. Also, the hardback cover looks nice and has a bit of texture to it if you care about that sort of things.

A good read for everyone who wants to look at the history from the perspective of how it got united into a single entity.