Great Again: Revitalizing America's Entrepreneurial Leadership [Hardcover]

Henry R. Nothhaft (Author), David Kline (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2011

The innovation engine that powered the U.S. economy to unmatched prosperity over the last century is now failing, threatening the way we work and live. As the nation spins its wheels--reeling from the job losses of the recession and seemingly unable to generate the breakthroughs needed to propel alternative energy, medicine, and other critical fields--Europe and especially Asia have begun to capture the leadership of crucial new technology sectors.

How can America revitalize its innovation leadership and kick-start the economy again?

In Great Again, veteran high-tech CEO Henry Nothhaft takes us inside the heart of America's innovation community to surface a new proposal for the job creation and economic growth we need. Bringing to life the human drama of the exhilarating, demanding and often frustrating startup environment, Nothhaft offers this complex world as the setting for a promising solution to the country's current standstill.

Nothhaft, with journalist David Kline, says a breakthrough can be achieved through a series of practical and achievable tax, regulatory and other reforms that would help strengthen entrepreneurial startup businesses--and offer the necessary fuel for an American resurgence. They key is to bolster the segment and lessen the startup's struggle against a perfect storm of "red tape" burdens. In fact, this entrepreneurial ecosystem may be the only force in society that can create revolutionary innovations that would lead to new industries and millions of new jobs--generating prosperity again for all citizens.

Great Again provides fresh research and original analysis to offer an entirely new lens for recovery. Filled with evocative stories and surprising evidence of the crucial role of the innovative force in society, the book presents an action plan that both entrepreneurs and policymakers can rally behind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The book is timely, with contemporary examples, yet the advice given is timeless.” “Nothhaft’s honesty, fair approach, and practicality are refreshing.” “Highly recommended.” - CHOICE magazine

“Seldom do we see such clearly articulated and forcefully substantiated arguments. Nothhaft's insight, passion, intelligence and practicality is to be admired. It's one of the most compelling and vital things I've read in quite a while . . .” - American Express Open Forum

“a clear-eyed, sober and well researched assessment of how we can bring innovation back into the economy, begin creating jobs and restore the middle class in this country.” - 800CEOREAD

“an essential read for innovators, business people, patent attorneys and anyone at all interested in a bright economic future for the United States” - IP Watchdog

“an eye-opening and important book” - Manufacturing and Technology News

“Great Again hits the bull’s-eye on how to kick-start job creation and rebuild middle-class prosperity in America. The book truly transcends the sterile left-versus-right divide with honesty, facts, and plain good sense. Here’s the solution we’ve been waiting for.” - Pat Choate, economist, policy analyst, and author, Saving Capitalism: Keeping America Strong

“When Hank Nothhaft says, ‘I am the son of a steelworker, and I did not work my whole life creating jobs and wealth just to spend my golden years in some Banana Republic of Silicon Valley,’ we hear a powerful voice speaking up for all Americans. Whether you’re on the left or the right, this book makes uncommonly good sense. Plus, it’s a terrific read.” - Eric Hippeau, CEO, the Huffington Post

“At a time of growing concern over where the jobs, jobs, and jobs will come from, Great Again reminds us of the central role of start-ups in job creation. It persuasively documents how our regulatory, tax, immigration, patent, and other government R&D policies have not only seriously impaired the growth of start-ups, but the whole job-creation process in America.” - Peter G. Peterson, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Chairman, Peter G. Peterson Foundation

“At last, a truly breakthrough book charting the only realistic course for American resurgence. Relying on facts instead of ideology, start-up CEO Henry Nothhaft and investigative journalist David Kline have done more for our country’s future in this short book than Congress has in years of hearings. The stories here are deeply moving, and I was frankly overwhelmed by the authors’ candor, sense of fairness, and basic good sense—qualities that have all but disappeared from American public discourse. If this book does not grab you by the throat, nothing will.” - Paul R. Michel, retired Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

“This is an important book. Great Again describes policy changes that will help keep America competitive, growing, and strong.” - Curt Carlson, CEO, SRI International (formerly the Stanford Research Institute)

“At a time when its competitive position is under siege from emerging economic powers, America requires an insightful and compelling call to arms from an experienced messenger that refocuses our policy makers on what is really at stake in revitalizing innovation and nurturing start-ups. There is no one more qualified to be that messenger than Hank Nothhaft. This is a visionary book.” - Richard Hart, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank Technology Group

“At last we hear the true voice of start-up entrepreneurs—the men and women who create the jobs and breakthrough innovations that power American economic growth. Hank Nothhaft’s message in Great Again will be embraced by people coast to coast, no matter what their political persuasion is. Let’s hope the politicians are listening.” - Jeff Brody, Founding Partner, Redpoint Ventures

“Jobs, jobs, jobs—it’s all about jobs. For this reason, Great Again is an absolute must-read. Why? Because Hank Nothhaft has left the politics and ideology to the talking heads and laid out practical, honest, concrete, and sensible ideas for rebuilding our economic vitality, our middle class, and our democratic society.” - Kevin Rivette, author and IP strategist, 3LP Advisors

About the Author

Henry R. Nothhaft is a successful serial entrepreneur and advocate of smart innovation policies in Washington, D.C. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Marine Corps officer, he is the former CEO of Tessera, a technology-miniaturization firm. David Kline is a Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist who has also authored several highly regarded books on innovation policy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press (May 17, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1422158578
• ISBN-13: 978-1422158579
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #999,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rx for America April 18, 2011

By Gary Griffiths TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

Hank Nothhaft and David Kline knock it out of the park with "Great Again," a logical, practical and enjoyable description of what's wrong with America today, and the simple prescription for fixing it. If all business books were this well-written and informative, I'd be reading a lot less fiction. Once started, I could not put it down.

"Great Again" is an inspirational read: passionate, provocative, well-paced, and informative. Nothhaft makes it very clear that the answers are not difficult, and do not require trillions of dollars in government programs, stimulus, and bureaucracy. On the surface, America's economic woes may seem very complex, but "Great Again" cuts through the clutter, extracting gems easily understood by the casual reader. Yet the reader is likely to experience some frustration as well: today's political systems of lobbying and special interests will make real progress elusive - at least until we truly are in a crisis - at which point it may be too late. It is ironic that on one hand, the conscientious CEO wants to do the right thing for America by keeping manufacturing jobs here, even in the face of lucrative tax incentives and other benefits from China and other emerging economies. Meanwhile, politicians who refuse to address corporate tax rates are the same ones threatening to penalize businesses for moving jobs off-shore, while at the same time penning job killing legislation (like Sarbanes Oxley or the more recent Dodds-Frank consumer "protection" legislation). If we can't get a government that actually helps and encourages business growth and entrepreneurship (like China), we should at least get one that stays out of the way.

The use of anecdotes - like the author's childhood in steel town Sharon, PA., as the example of what the American dream used to mean, is effective. I found myself asking, "Yeah, how come my dad - also a blue collar manufacturing worker - was able to own and house and support my mom, my brother and me on one income?" And "Today, why does it take another few billion in borrowed money to fix a bridge?" Ditto for the extensive use of stories told in the words of experienced and successful entrepreneurs. By weaving the facts and figures into their stories and dialogue, there is no tedium - this makes for an entertaining read that will actually be read - this is not the kind of business book that goes straight from the bookstore to the bookshelf.

"Great Again" makes for a fascinating primer in the relationship between patents and jobs, as are the mechanics of the Patent Office. I had no idea the Patent Office is self-funded (and forgot it was established by the US Constitution!) My blood boils to learn that our insatiable Congress has withheld the income rightfully earned by the Patent Office - redirecting it to other federal programs. I'm a huge opponent of the "stimulus" plan, but having read "Great Again," I'd be an advocate to giving the Patent Office $1B - or more - of the yet un-squandered stimulus to increase the Patent Office's staffing of lawyers and engineers needed to break this million-patent log jam. THAT would be real stimulus.

"Great Again" fills a void that has been the missing element of "the lost decade" - leadership - the kind of leadership that realizes expanding the size of the pie through innovation and private investment provides greater prosperity for all. As heated debates about job creation and federal budgets in Washington DC rage, the message of "Great Again" is as timely as it is urgent. While the "flat-earthers" like Freidman are getting the ink, there is a frightening dearth of informed, instructive, and actionable content like this available. As clueless politicians begin to realize they've followed the Freidmans and Krugmans down a bottomless sinkhole, "Great Again" just may be the formula we need to prevent America from becoming a Banana Republic. Bravo!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Returning America to its Number One Economic Position June 20, 2011

By Bryan Carey TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Repairing the U.S. economy is at the forefront of political talk these days. Everyone seems to have his/her own solution to the problems that beset us, and these solutions can include anything from additional stimulus money to greater and more widely distributed tax cuts. Most of the proposed resolutions to economic issues involve direct transfers of cash, but some feel the solution to America's woes lies elsewhere and one of them is author and entrepreneur Henry Nothhaft. He feels that America needs a renewed interest in innovation, easier and more efficient patent approval, more manufacturing jobs, and increases in research and development if the nation expects to pull out of its present slump and regain its position as an economic world leader.

There isn't much talk among political pundits and candidates of office about the importance of entrepreneurship and the problems that excess regulation have heaped on those who innovate, but Great Again is convinced that innovation is key and the author openly shares his vision for a more prosperous America in the pages of this book. The book devotes a good deal of its space to the subject of innovation with the author emphasizing how important innovation is to the creation of jobs and the ongoing sustainability of the economy. Nothhaft has a great deal of experience in this area and he relies on that experience, along with statistics on innovation, patent issuing, and the like, to back his points. Not only is the United States lagging on these areas, the U.S. government has also become less involved in its support of innovation, research, development, etc. The book accurately points out how nations like China are aggressively supporting innovation and business growth through tax abatements and direct support. The United States once had generous policies as well, but they are long gone and Great Again points out how this seeming indifference is causing the United States to fall behind the world's emerging and industrialized economies.

Manufacturing job losses have been a reality for decades and this is another area where the author has strong beliefs. The book stresses that businesses and governments must do what they can to keep these high- paying jobs in the United States. This argument is one that has been made by many other authors and political leaders in the past, but it is still just as relevant today, if not more so. There are some who feel that an economy can grow and thrive if it is strictly service- oriented, but the author feels strongly otherwise and he cites many statistics to back his beliefs. He feels that government officials and business leaders are both responsible for the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs to other countries but that the trend could be reversed with the right effort on both sides.

Great Again is presented in a no- nonsense style with writing that seems a little academic at times and a little personal at other times. The book combines economics and politics with the author taking a firm stand in favor of the economic stimulants described above. You can sense that the author is disgusted with the bickerings in Washington and cannot understand why the two parties are unable to come to an understanding; a compromise in these essential economic realities that would ultimately benefit everyone. Political ideology seems to have captured the moment, with few politicians actually proposing anything of real substance that would benefit the economy.

The United States was once the world leader in manufacturing, job growth, and living standards and Great Again is a book dedicated to recapturing these times of prosperity. The book doesn't provide answers to some of the important questions critics are bound to ask but its advice is still good and it could have a profound impact if we would adopt some of its proposals. Innovation is the key to long- term economic growth and with more emphasis in this area, the U.S economy could finally get back on track and Americans could enjoy a renewed sense of prosperity and purpose.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Great Again! April 18, 2011

By Troy J. Apparicio

Format:Kindle Edition

Great Again is an incredible book that provides in-depth insights into the dilemmas faced within America. Every cable news network says we are at a juncture in our history and discusses the difficulties related to jobs, budgets, and the overall future of America.

Hank Nothhaft and David Kline are able to not only offer solutions to help get through such difficulties, but also provide context relative to how America got to where it is as a country today. This eloquently written easy read really hits home. Having lived and worked in the Silicon Valley and the Detroit metro area, I have physically seen many of the broad concepts discussed in this book.

Stories like "Could Apple be built today?" and the patent version of David and Goliath, "Cappy Capstran vs. BigCo," really get you thinking about the state of VC and what it takes to get a business started today, as well as the state of the USPTO. With compelling third party narratives around entrepreneurship, venture capital, manufacturing, and innovation, backed through research, statistics, and Mr. Nothhaft's personal chronicles, I am sure this is one book that will get you thinking and discussing how America can be Great Again!

* I have provided research for this book, however the preceding review reflects my personal opinion

- Troy J. Apparicio