Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing is Still Key to America’s Future

A CALL TO ARMS FOR EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN AMERICA'S FUTURE If you trust what you hear in the news, America is in trouble. We've moved our manufacturing overseas. We've lost our competitive edge to China, Germany, Japan, and Brazil. We've entered our final days as an ecomonic leader. Don't believe it! This provocative book from a former deputy assistant secretary of commerce will explode the myths you’ve been fed by the media and reinforce your faith in American ingenuity. Author Ro Khanna takes you inside Washington's economic think tanks and onto the front lines of the most innovative companies in the nation. You'll discover: How small and large businesses are spurring innovation and growth Why the accepted wisdom about American manufacturing is wrong How America can stay ahead of lower-cost factories in China and Brazil Why manufacturing is so important to our national security and future How to keep the best jobs, companies, and opportunities here in America Despite everything you've heard about the economy, one fact remains: America continues to be a world leader in manufacturing. Some of the world's best products are still being made here. The world's greatest innovations are still being developed by Apple, Google, and countless others. This book will prove to you that smart companies are staying ahead of the curve--and you can, too. You'll learn how a fourth-generation business, the Globe Manufacturing Company, customized its firefighting suits to beat foreign competitors. You'll discover how Vitamix worked with clients like Starbucks to produce a superior coffee blender. And you'll hear behind-the-scenes stories from the American steel industry, aerospace companies, the defense technology sector, and other worldclass leaders. You'll also learn why companies like Solyndra fail--and what lessons we can take from them. This is more than a book. It is a wake-up call that will spark debate, shatter beliefs, and inspire action in every American who wants to succeed in the future. This is Entrepreneurial Nation. Praise for Entrepreneurial Nation "I have always believed that America remains the greatest superpower of innovation. Khanna is a leading thinker on how to make U.S. manufacturing more competitive across this country, whether it comes to making high-technology planes, cars, steel bars, fire suits, or even blenders. The unconventional ideas in this book chart the path America can take to lead the world for years to come." -- Elon Musk, CEO and Founder of Tesla and Space X "This captivating book adds to the growing discourse on the relevance of American ingenuity and our manufacturing heritage . . . It is a collection of captivating stories and real ideas on how to keep America competitive in the 21st Century." -- Ellen Kullman, Chair and CEO, DuPont, one of America's original Manufacturing companies "Entrepreneurial Nation is an excellent reminder of what makes American manufacturing great . . . It's an important read for anyone interested in impacting our manufacturing future." -- Paul Otellini, President and CEO, Intel Corporation "Khanna lays out a refreshing vision of innovation-based U.S. manufacturing leadership, not just competitiveness. Entrepreneurial Nation is based on the views and experiences of real manufacturers making real products in America. It prescribes a hefty dose of federal policy changes to empower privatesector innovation in manufacturing. This is a very important addition to a very important debate." -- Charles Vest, President Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and President of the National Academy of Engineering "Khanna led Commerce's domestic offices that implemented President Obama’s National Export Initiative. He was a key player in the policy debate in Washington, and he was in the trenches listening to the perspective of manufacturers across our country. It shows. His book provides a powerful vision of what American companies need to do to thrive and grow in the world market." -- Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Obama Administration , 2010–2011