"The Post-American World" by Fareed Zakaria is one of the many books which has come to examine the concept of what the 21st century will look like, including the place of America within this new global order. But what makes this book stand out above the re...st is that it is concise, well-written, and shows a profound intellectual depth sorely lacking in international commentary today. Instantly accessible, this book should be placed high on everyone's list, especially those who wish to have the best perspective on current affairs. The main lesson of Zakaria's book is that the Post-American World is not about the decline of America but the "rise of the rest" and the growth of international competition. He argues that the state of the world is not a consequence of the West or America's weaknesses but their strength and the compelling nature of their ideas. These idea undergird the international order and will not go away anytime soon. He examines two nations on the rise- India and China- and lays out their strengths and weaknesses, giving one a much more balanced picture of things in both countries that one typically finds on television or in the news. America, far and away the most powerful nation in the past one-hundred and forty years, will not lose its position of preeminence but will be entering a world in which it is more a "first among equals." He gives a realistic appraisal of America's overwhelming strengths and deep weaknesses (namely a paralyzed, short-sighted political system). Zakaria's greatest asset is his cool, level-head when examining his subject matter. Much of book tells the reader to reject their anxieties and incorrect idea about the state of the world and take a more nuanced and balanced approach. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to have a nuanced approach to international affairs.