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)

GOOD READ

insightful and inspiring 👏
The narration was pretty good. I am looking at having another go at the book again in about two months this time at a scholastic level. There is a lot to unpack

Excellent!

Riveting and inspiring! Really enjoyed this book and the storytelling offered here. Another great work by Dan Senor

A bit dated...

The lead example is a company now bankrupt but this does not detract. The narrator had such poor command of Hebrew and Yiddish that is was painfully distracting. He could not even get the names correct.

Is it Chutzpah or Davka

Is the success of Israel's business startups a case of Chutzpah (Yiddish for audacity, brazen nerve, courage, effrontery, incredible 'guts,' mettle, presumption topped off with a little (or large) touch of arrogance) or Davka (Yiddish for despite everything or 'Just because you want me to disappear from the face of the earth, I will not').

The authors of Startup Nation argue the case of chutzpah quite strongly, and they are right. The people of Israel have had to "make do" in a land with few natural resources, surrounded by hostile nations. Due, in part to this, they have become the "go to" place for emerging technologies the computer, science, ecology, medicine, and a host of other fields.

But these successes are as much due to Davka (often defined as despite everything or Just because you want me to disappear from the face of the earth - I will not - emphasis on the last three words) - the insistence on surviving whatever is thrown at them and turning lemons (or the fruit of trees growing in salt water) into lemonade.

While the general media from around the world is not reporting the successes of Israeli technology to impact their nations, in many ways people the world daily touch products of the Israeli minds.

Good insights

There were some good examples, quotes and insights on why Israel very much is in the forefront of innovation, technology as compared to the rest of the world. After about 3/4th of the way, it very down on it's ability to sound exciting and basically took a bit of an effort to listen through about 1 hour. Overall good, would recommend. Is there anything better out there ?

We owe so much to Isreal

So many of the technologies we use is from here. So much of what the book talked about is not known or spoken about. New was to think outside the box.

Excellent content and narrative

I loved this book. Well written and excellent narrative. I highly recommend it for any one seeking to see their nation develop.

Excellent read--great insight into Israel

Very worthwhile, Really glad we read this before visiting Israel--provided a greater appreciation for the people, their accomplishments, their personality. stories were inspiring. My only complaint was that this ties things up in a nice bow and the story of this country and people is much more complex and prickly.

Excellent book! Although a little bit outdated

excellent book. The idea is clear, but it needs a new edition to have the facts updated

Great book

I loved this book. I was wandering what is the startup mindset and this book helped me to understand that.