What Every American Should Know about the Rest of the World: Your Guide to Today's Hot Spots, Hot Shots and Incendiary Issues
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
Confused about the news? Slip out of the room when friends talk current events? Now you can keep up with ease and learn to talk like a diplomat. Among the things you'll soon be able to slip into everyday conversation: What is the difference between Kurdistan and Kazakhstan? Why did North Korea's leader kidnap his favorite actress? Why is Osama bin Laden so mad? Which countries still have slaves? Why is Kashmir "the most dangerous place in the world?" What country has the most Muslims? Why are they fighting in Chechnya? What little box prompted Hutus to kill Tutsis? Who is Prince Turki and how did his hunting trip change history? How are cows fueling the fighting between India's Muslims and Hindus? Which country drew maps that have resulted in the most intractable wars? What is controversial UN Resolution 242? What makes Qatar stand out? What country does Sumatran coffee come from? What country's fakes forced the US to redesign the $100 bill? Who is the FARC and why have they been fighting for decades? An entertaining guide to political science, current events, foreign affairs, and history, What Every American Should Know about the Rest of the World gives you the vocabulary and background you need to decipher the modern world in a simple-to-understand format.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0452284058
ISBN13:9780452284050
Release Date:April 2003
Publisher:Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
Length:400 Pages
Weight:0.95 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"
Age Range:18 years and up
Grade Range:Postsecondary and higher
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
A Good Book To Have in the Bathroom.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
The book contains interesting anecdotes and facts on various countries of the world. It is pretty hard to put down. Like GUINNESS WORLD'S RECORD, it needs to be located in the bathroom as short reading materials. The content is amusing and entertaining, something to occupy one's time in a more productive way.
A must-buy
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
Most of the time, a book this useful is a drag to read -- you feel like you're just taking your medicine, fighting through boring parts to get the information you want. But Rossi's book transcends all that, with a witty, even sarcastic tone that never lets you forget that this stuff isn't just numbers and statistics; it's the human story behind everything that makes the book so incredibly interesting. It's one thing to read about whether the actions of North Korea should concern you, it's another to read that Kim Il-Jong spends all his time getting drunk on expensive whiskey while still leaving his father (dead for eight years) as the official president of North Korea. Numbers don't tell the whole story! Anyone who wants to get an idea of what's going on in the world, where, when and WHY, should get this book. You'll keep it by your bed to read again and again.
Fantastic and on target.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
Bravo! In these times when the big media (ahem, the FCC's vote last week...) make it hard for America to get full pictures of what's going on in the world, What Every American Should Know About the Rest of the World is a fantastic resource. Rossi provides a great range of important information, throws in humor to keep it digestible, and--best of all--enticed me not only to read the whole book but to dig deeper, check other resources, and continue learning about this wonderful and complicated world. Somebody send a copy to W.
A much needed book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I try very hard to keep informed of world events, but it can be daunting to try and unravel all the history and facts behind the world's latest conflicts. So what's an American to do in this age of deregulated corporate media conglomerates and embedded journalists? Luckily we now have this guide to help fill in the blanks. While it never purports to be the last word on global politics, it IS a very helpful primer for learning more in depth. Read this entertaining and informative book, and then dive into some of the wonderful links Ms. Rossi has provided. I guarantee you'll astound and amaze your Canadian and European friends on your next vacation with your background knowledge. :-)Dare I call it Cliff Notes for Geopolitics? It's close! Buy it and send to your isolated friends across the United States, or send them to the companion site, armchairdiplomat.com
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
