The book covers an interesting topic, how technology is changing/has changed the labor market (among other things), turning it into a global labor market instead of the many localized labor markets there existed in the past.  

I think the point of the book can be made in a short article, one doesn't actually need to read 300+ pages.  I didn't enjoy reading this book and lost interest part of the way through, so I never completed it and don't think I ever will spend the time to complete it either.

And, Friedman was so happy teenagers could download so many songs on their little musical devices for such a low cost. I almost wanted to jump for joy! Perhaps the first download should be "Highway to Hell" by ACDC in honor of the the big financial interest as thanks for destroying paying U.S. jobs, benefits, and unions, and attempting to destroy Social Security. And, then Frank Zappa's "Call Any Vegetable," to thank the political pawns who made the new economy a reality.
The book was highly recommended by a psychobabbling Indiana Wesleyan professor who spoke at Rotary. He also recommended several other "bestsellers" which I, after thirty-five years in the book business, had never heard of and never had anyone ask me for. However, Dr. Knowitall prompted me to read this book because it is a rock upon the waters and often cited as gospel in the new colonialism scheme of things.
To reiterate: this book is very important. Friedman has used a lot of ink. He was very powerful. Read this book! But, put your brain in your head first! I am giving it a three star because of its importance, rather than the zero it deserves.
The author argues that Wal-Mart helps the poor by reducing its employees' health care, after the company helped destroy small American businesses with its predatory practices (p.250). He also argues that joblessness creates job growth (p.264). Amazingly, he suggests health care for all (p.372) when the flat world is diametrically opposed to this concept.
As if working with our state sponsored local diploma mill, Friedman wishes to place every citizen in a campus (p.374), as degrees for no jobs are being cranked out.
Yes, our beloved author has prophecized an era of collaboration (p.8) expedited by the beauty of outsourcing (p.14) when our professionals and grunts are replaced by cheaper labor that international poverty can readily produce. But, perhaps 90% of the foreign call centers are owned by Americans. (I do not mean Americans like you and me, but Americans who are really, really rich.)
Friedman holds the world no longer has borders and, presuming he is correct, and we are going with the flow, we are in a race to the lowest common denominator in which the top micro percentage gloms even more of the world's wealth, while those who work take it in the youknowwhat.
But, he does admit "...the world is changing in profound and unsettling ways (p.45)." The offshore worker is willing to put in twelve hours a day (p. 140), for peanuts I might add.
The May 25, 2009 cover of "Time" states "Throw away the briefcase" you're not going to the office. You can kiss your benefits goodbye too. And your boss won't look like your old one. There's no longer a ladder, and you may never get to retire." Welcome to the flat world.
In my own case, when I moved to this small burg thirty-five years ago, banks, schools, factories, offices were hiring bright young middle-class folks--so much so that it was a race for me just to locate an apartment.
There had been factories that produced nails, Christmas lights, pianos, foundry products, boilers, baskets, steel girders, toys,and even skate boards, among other things. Maybe the jobs were not highly paid, but they were available, they had medical insurance, and perhaps even a pitiful pension plan.
Then, President Reagan announced the One World Economy. I could not believe the President of the United States would push the gleeful race to the bottom, but it worked, taking away paying U.S. jobs and benefits, destroying unions, and it will get worse.
Our local business saint, who seemed to own a vault full of high denomination currency, lobbied hard to open the market to China declaring every single one of the kabillions of residents there would be our customer. Of course, you know the rest. Most of our shops are vacant and even condemned. Two years ago, there were two jobs available for our high school graduates: work in the prison or join the army. Now, the prison is not hiring. Luckily, we still have plenty of wars. College graduates apparently flee to undisclosed destinations.
The author seems to be the jolly sort of well-dressed individual who would be merrily playing the banjo as your pals with the cattle prods herd you off to the pig wagons (We do not have boxcars anymore.) to your final solution.
If you did not enjoy the book, you might enjoy "Flat Broke in the Free Market" by Jon Jeter or "Ronald Reagan: The man who sold the world and the betrayal of Main Street" by William Kelinknecht.