What do you think?
Rate this book
Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution
How did a small post-Soviet state become a digital and e-government powerhouse, producing world-leading tech companies and pioneering policies for remote residency?
Three decades after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Estonia is a nation transformed. Today, the country is known worldwide as a startup hub, boasting billion-dollar companies including Wise, Veriff and Bolt―but even more impressive are Tallinn’s pioneering efforts in e-government. With 99 per cent of government services digitalised and accessible online, citizens can vote via computer, or file their taxes online in minutes; and Estonia’s use of artificial intelligence to enhance and automate its offering to citizens long predates ChatGPT.
Drawing on his experience as a former official for the Republic of Estonia, Joel Burke offers unique insight into the country’s rapid rise as a tech and e-government powerhouse since the turn of the century. From the founding of Skype to the future of the e-state, he unveils the tactics and stories behind Estonia’s spectacular journey―after years of Soviet occupation and mismanagement to global tech leadership. For those hoping to learn from Estonia’s incredible journey, Burke offers insights into the government’s use of AI, its creation of a digital society, and its cultivation of a culture driving public-sector creativity and innovation. Rebooting a Nation is an informative and entertaining masterclass in Estonia’s modern history.
Three decades after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Estonia is a nation transformed. Today, the country is known worldwide as a startup hub, boasting billion-dollar companies including Wise, Veriff and Bolt―but even more impressive are Tallinn’s pioneering efforts in e-government. With 99 per cent of government services digitalised and accessible online, citizens can vote via computer, or file their taxes online in minutes; and Estonia’s use of artificial intelligence to enhance and automate its offering to citizens long predates ChatGPT.
Drawing on his experience as a former official for the Republic of Estonia, Joel Burke offers unique insight into the country’s rapid rise as a tech and e-government powerhouse since the turn of the century. From the founding of Skype to the future of the e-state, he unveils the tactics and stories behind Estonia’s spectacular journey―after years of Soviet occupation and mismanagement to global tech leadership. For those hoping to learn from Estonia’s incredible journey, Burke offers insights into the government’s use of AI, its creation of a digital society, and its cultivation of a culture driving public-sector creativity and innovation. Rebooting a Nation is an informative and entertaining masterclass in Estonia’s modern history.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2025
5 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 27, 2025
It began as a thoroughly interesting story, as we learn about the startups of Skype and TransferWise, before it slowly decends into what seems to be an academic paper.
It is well researched and written but mind-numbingly dull for the middle half.
Often repeats various points, which was a shame.
Could've been condensed into two-thirds of the length, not to mention 50 odd pages of references - why put them in print? Put a link at the end of the book for anyone willing to locate these articles.
It is well researched and written but mind-numbingly dull for the middle half.
Often repeats various points, which was a shame.
Could've been condensed into two-thirds of the length, not to mention 50 odd pages of references - why put them in print? Put a link at the end of the book for anyone willing to locate these articles.
July 1, 2025
Joel Burke has done a great service here by weaving together several important business and political topics into a highly readable and engaging book. Estonia is quite possibly the greatest post-Soviet success story and deserves to be analyzed, celebrated, and replicated wherever and whenever possible.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews