Thomas Friedman is probably best known for his book on globalization "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" and his popular opinion/foreign affairs column in the New York Times. Over the past twenty years Friedman has become one of the most insightful and knowledgeable sources on the Middle East and terrorism (two issues which sadly often go hand in hand). In his latest book "Longitudes and Attitudes" Friedman collects his columns that appeared in the New York Times in the weeks leading up to 9/11 and the months that followed.

In his columns contained in the period before 9/11 Friedman discusses how globalization is changing the world and through breakthroughs such as the internet, information (and in trickle-down fashion; knowledge then freedom) has led to the empowerment of individuals. Friedman explains that before the 20th century and the advent of rapid globalization it had always been states and not people who held the keys to personal destiny. In this new and changing world Friedman surmises that now there are not only "Superpowers" and international "Supermarkets" but now there are "super-empowered individuals."

Unfortunately in the following columns both the reader and Friedman are witness to what these individuals are capable of. After the terrorist attacks Friedman spares no time in traveling to some of the locations that play key roles in the hunt for the terrorists. He asks questions that almost everyone was asking right after 9/11 (Why did this happem? Who did this? Did we deserve it?) and in all honesty some that still haven't been answered. Some of the questions raised have easy answers, (Friedman writes that no US policy not matter how offensive could ever warrant such an act of cowardice) while others are vastly more complex requiring countless hours of research.

Friedman is a credible (spending 20+ years on the front lines covering the Israeli/Palestinian conflict) and engaging author; it's very easy to understand where he's coming from and the questions and facts he raises. Even though this book was published in the months shortly following 9/11 that doesn't mean it's dated. I would recommend this book to anyone who is truly interested in dissecting 9/11 from a more global point of view.