Distinguished books to match speakers
Friday marks the opening of the seventh annual Distinguished Speakers
Lecture Series sponsored by the Newport Beach Public Library
Foundation at the Newport Beach Central Library.
This weekend’s guest speaker is Lori Wallach, director of Public
Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, a leader in the global citizen movement
for fair trade and investment policy.
If this important topic piques your interest, or if the discussion
that grows out of the event prompts you to read more, the library has
books that explore the different sides of this complex issue. It is a
topic that affects our community in many ways.
“George Soros on Globalization,” by the world-famous financial
guru, is a good place to start for a basic overview on the question
of standards in a world economy. Though he is in favor of
globalization, he addresses the questions raised by the opponents of
unchecked worldwide economic expansion and offers some solutions as
he summarizes the issues at hand.
“Global Backlash: Citizen Initiatives for a Just World Economy,”
compiled by Robin Broad, professor of international development at
American University, offers a compendium of more than 40 documents
that give focus to the anti-globalization movement. It highlights the
themes that underline their protest whether it is the environment,
fair trade, indigenous people or equality among nations.
For an enthusiastic response to globalization, turn to Thomas L.
Friedman’s near classic, “The Lexus and the Olive Tree.” The New York
Times foreign affairs columnist viewed the wonders of the Japanese
Lexus factory and wrote this engagingly written bestseller in the
spirit of optimism for a new world order.
Both “Spiritual Perspectives on Globalization: Making Sense of
Economic and Cultural Upheaval” by religion journalist Ira Rifkin,
and “The Kimchi Matters: Global Business and Local Politics in a
Crisis-Driven World” by Marvin Zonis, Dan Lefkovitz and Sam Wilkin,
focus on one particular aspect of the overall globalization
phenomenon. The first is an insightful look at how different
religious cultures around the world view globalization and its
potential effects on their communities. “The Kimchi Matters” deals
with the business aspects of globalization and how American
businesses affect and are affected by foreign communities. Naturally,
this message can be translated into other spheres of American
influence abroad.
If you prefer your information in a video format, there is the
award-winning DVD, “Commanding Heights.” The three-part film, based
on Daniel Yergin’s book of the same name, covers the topic through
interviews with leading economists and world leaders. The DVD also
provides an outstanding historical background to explain today’s
world economy, its gains, failures and hopes.
Tickets should still be available for the upcoming programs at the
Central Library. For more information, call toll free at
866-301-2411. To order tickets or to explore the materials discussed
above, go online at https://www.newport beachlibrary.org.
* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public
Library. This week’s column is by Sara Barnicle. All titles may be
reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at
https://www.newport beachlibrary.org. For more information on any of
the Central Library’s branch locations, call the Newport Beach Public
Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.
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