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Publisher
A CFR Book. Twelve Books
Release Date
November 2009
Price
$26.99
320 pages
ISBN 978-0-446-54146-6
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Overview
Start-Up Nation addresses the trillion-dollar question: How is it that Israel--a country of 7.1 million people, only sixty years old, surrounded by enemies, in a constant state of war since its founding, with no natural resources--produces more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada, and the United Kingdom? Drawing on examples from the country's foremost inventors and investors, geopolitical experts Dan Senor and Saul Singer describe how Israel's adversity-driven culture fosters a unique combination of innovative and entrepreneurial intensity.
As the authors argue, Israel is not just a country but a comprehensive state of mind. Whereas Americans emphasize decorum and exhaustive preparation, Israelis put chutzpah first. "When an Israeli entrepreneur has a business idea, he will start it that week," one analyst put it. At the geopolitical level, Senor and Singer dig in deeper to show why Israel's policies on immigration, R&D, and military service have been key factors in the country's rise--providing insight into why Israel has more companies on the NASDAQ than those from all of Europe, Korea, Japan, Singapore, China, and India combined.
So much has been written about the Middle East, but surprisingly little is understood about the story and strategy behind Israel's economic growth. As Start-Up Nation shows, there are lessons in Israel's example that apply not only to other nations, but also to individuals seeking to build a thriving organization. As the U.S. economy seeks to reboot its can-do spirit, there's never been a better time to look at this remarkable and resilient nation for some impressive, surprising clues.
Visit www.startupnationbook.com for more.
"Vividly illustrates how Israel has developed a culture where authority not only can be challenged, but must be ... a compelling and satisfying work, filled with eye-opening revelations and shot through with rich examples, explanations, and analysis."
—Barron's
"Bracing."
—New Republic
A New York Times "Caucus" blog best seller.
A Washington Post best seller.
"This fine book ... shine[s] a spotlight on [Israel's] success."
—Wall Street Journal
"An eye-opening look at a side of Israel that most people never think about."
—The Week
"There is a great deal for America to learn from the very impressive Israeli entrepreneurial model—beginning with a culture of leadership and risk management. Start-Up Nation is a playbook for every CEO who wants to develop the next generation of corporate leaders."
—Tom Brokaw, special correspondent for NBC News, author of The Greatest Generation
"Senor and Singer's experience in government, in business, and in journalism—and especially on the ground in the Middle East—come to life in their illuminating, timely, and often surprising analysis."
—George Stephanopoulos, host of This Week, ABC News
"In the midst of the chaos of the Middle East, there's a remarkable story of innovation. Start-Up Nation is filled with inspiring insights into what's behind Israel's dynamic economy. It is a timely book and a much-needed celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit."
—Meg Whitman, former president and CEO of eBay
"Senor and Singer highlight some important lessons and sound instruction for countries struggling to enter the 21st century. An edifying, cogent report, as apolitical as reasonably possible, about homemade nation building."
—Kirkus Reviews
"The authors ground their analysis in case studies and interviews with some of Israel's most brilliant innovators to make this a rich and insightful read not just for business leaders and policymakers but for anyone curious about contemporary Israeli culture."
—Publishers Weekly
Daniel Senor, adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, has long been on the front lines of policy, politics, and business in the Middle East. As a senior foreign policy adviser to the U.S. government, he was one of the longest-serving civilian officials in Iraq, for which he was awarded the highest civilian honor by the Pentagon. He also served in Qatar, and has studied in Israel, where today he invests in a number of Israeli start-ups. In his business career, he has worked for global private equity firms—the Carlyle Group and Rosemont Capital, which he cofounded. Senor's analytical pieces are frequently published by the Wall Street
Journal; he has also written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Weekly Standard, and Time. In government and business, he has traveled extensively throughout the Arab world. Mr. Senor lives in New York City with his wife and two sons.
Saul Singer is a columnist and former editorial page editor at the Jerusalem Post and the author of Confronting Jihad: Israel's Struggle and the World after 9/11. He has written for the Wall Street Journal, Commentary, Moment, the New Leader, bitterlemons (an Israeli/Palestinian e-zine), and the Washington Post's international blog, PostGlobal. Before moving to Israel, he served as an adviser to the U.S. Congress. Mr. Singer lives in Jerusalem with his wife and three daughters.
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