That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back, 2011, Thomas Friedman & Michael Mandelbaum.

This brand new book was recommended to me by a coaching colleague, Priscilla Binder. As our year winds down, I’ve been reading more of these books that address our country’s economic situation -because of the ripple effect on people’s lives and careers.

Friedman’s book is probably the best I’ve read. It’s not a quick read because there is so much there – it is filled with powerful insights backed up with a wealth of research and statistics – but you will walk away thinking and possibly shifting some of your own career plans for 2012.