Start-Up Nation

The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle

By: Dan Senor, Saul Singer

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Start-Up Nation addresses the trillion-dollar question: How is it that Israel - a country of 7.1 million, only 60 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 UK?

With the savvy of foreign policy insiders, Senor and Singer examine the lessons of the country's adversity-driven culture, which flattens hierarchy and elevates informality - all backed up by government policies focused on innovation. In a world where economies as diverse as Ireland, Singapore, and Dubai have tried to re-create the "Israel effect", there are entrepreneurial lessons well worth noting. As America reboots its own economy and can-do spirit, there's never been a better time to look at this remarkable and resilient nation for some impressive, surprising clues.

©2009 Dan Senor and Saul Singer (P)2009 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"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)
"No one else, in my judgment, has written regularly about Israel in recent years with more clarity than Singer." (William Kristol, Editor, The Weekly Standard)

Very Interesting

What did you love best about Start-Up Nation?

The different aspects and unusual reasons why Israel became a Start-Up Nation

If you could give Start-Up Nation a new subtitle, what would it be?

The title fits perfectly

Any additional comments?

Great book, especially if you have a link to Israel.

Fascinating picture of the power of ideas

Anyone wanting to learn a bit of what's happening in the middle east and the dynamics involved should read this book.

Brilliant short Story about Israel's Start up

Where does Start-Up Nation rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top few

Which scene was your favorite?

The comparison with Dubai - Traditionally enemies but Dubai clears secretly eyes Israel's success as a start up nation. Some of the tactics are mimicked in dubai but CLEARLY, there is no comparison possible between Israel. Dubai's concept of expatriate workforce will not allow for the level of innovation that happens in Israel.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh and proud of Israel - its your attitude that determines your altitude

Lots of great information and ideas!

Personally, as an israeli, I’m familiar with most of the stories in this book, but to here them all together gave me the chance to think of it in a different ways. I see now why we didn’t have a choice but to become a startup nation. We had to develop faster than anyone else in order to survive a really tough reality. Altogether, when people make risks they make a difference. Thank you.

more than the sum of its parts

Senor and Singer do a great job weaving together the threads, that in combination, resulted in the rapid growth of Israel's technology based economy. Narration is solid.

Best book!!

One of my favorite one in this year !! You can see how people shape up their mindset to create new things for the world.

Fantastic Country

IF you need direction as a person,community, or country, this book lays it out plane and simple. Israel is running ahead of the rest of the world, because their people deeply understand the the fundamentals of life..

Beyond expectations!

This book goes way beyond the history of the tech startup culture and success of Israel and delves deep into its roots and history.

Great read

I knew they were different but I did not realize what makes them different the individual is so important they seem to have the ability to check their egos at the door and not be offended.

Producing innovation.

A view into how innovation happens when a society at all levels learns, teaches, learns again and continues to question in order to achieve.