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What It Takes: Southeast Asia
Nearly 5 years and over 200 recorded conversations with great narrators and luminaries from the region and the world, combined with almost 3 years spent at a widely-recognized nexus of innovation, academic excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Stanford University, led to a compelling conclusion: Southeast Asia has what it takes to be part of global consciousness—to have the capacity and disposition to think and act on issues of global significance such as energy transition, humanitarian crises, and social inequality. But we just haven't been focusing on the things that matter in the long run, and we don't have enough storytellers to convey this message.
This book aims to instill hope and test the boundaries of imagination for future storytellers from within this region while encouraging members of the global community to understand the future, more-interconnected Southeast Asia a little better. Drawing from the author's multidimensional experience across government, private sector, and academia, this work examines the region through interconnected dimensions: history, economics, education, sustainability, and the technological innovations that will shape its forward trajectory.
This book aims to instill hope and test the boundaries of imagination for future storytellers from within this region while encouraging members of the global community to understand the future, more-interconnected Southeast Asia a little better. Drawing from the author's multidimensional experience across government, private sector, and academia, this work examines the region through interconnected dimensions: history, economics, education, sustainability, and the technological innovations that will shape its forward trajectory.
276 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 8, 2025
There are a few things I really like about this book:
1. It connects ideas using real data and fairly acknowledges exceptions, for instance, pointing out that Singapore shouldn’t be included in most of comparisons because it operates on a completely different level, or excluding Vietnam when discussing countries with below average PISA scores. These nuances make Pak Gita’s arguments more reasonable and relatable.
2. The chapters are organized around themes that I personally agree with: money allocation, education, environmental sustainability, internet, AI, and forming foreign alliances.
3. The chapters are well-connected, especially around the theme of education. Pak Gita clearly emphasizes its importance. While all 6 topics are crucial, it feels like education is the foundation, as it always mentioned in each chapter. The underlying idea that I think Pak Gita completely believe is once people in the region are better educated, progress in other areas will naturally follow.
As Pak Gita mentions in the book, it doesn’t aim to provide a perfect or practical step-by-step guide for making Southeast Asia more relevant on the global stage. Nor should readers take his ideas passively. Instead, the book invites us to engage critically and reflect on how we, as individuals, can contribute to moving our country and region from the periphery to the core.
Hence, I think the book fulfills its purpose well. It may not be perfectly practical, but it’s thought provoking enough to challenge us to think about what we can do personally to help this region move forward.
1. It connects ideas using real data and fairly acknowledges exceptions, for instance, pointing out that Singapore shouldn’t be included in most of comparisons because it operates on a completely different level, or excluding Vietnam when discussing countries with below average PISA scores. These nuances make Pak Gita’s arguments more reasonable and relatable.
2. The chapters are organized around themes that I personally agree with: money allocation, education, environmental sustainability, internet, AI, and forming foreign alliances.
3. The chapters are well-connected, especially around the theme of education. Pak Gita clearly emphasizes its importance. While all 6 topics are crucial, it feels like education is the foundation, as it always mentioned in each chapter. The underlying idea that I think Pak Gita completely believe is once people in the region are better educated, progress in other areas will naturally follow.
As Pak Gita mentions in the book, it doesn’t aim to provide a perfect or practical step-by-step guide for making Southeast Asia more relevant on the global stage. Nor should readers take his ideas passively. Instead, the book invites us to engage critically and reflect on how we, as individuals, can contribute to moving our country and region from the periphery to the core.
Hence, I think the book fulfills its purpose well. It may not be perfectly practical, but it’s thought provoking enough to challenge us to think about what we can do personally to help this region move forward.
October 21, 2025
Buku ini termasuk buku yang membicarakan banyak topik dengan payung besar SEA sebagai sebuah region dan arah geraknya berdasarkan dari masa lalu, masa sekarang dan peluang masa depan. Sebuah buku yang cukup membantu untuk mereka yang ingin mulai belajar tentang region ini. Banyak hal yang dapat dipelajari terutama soal sejarah, pola kehidupan masyarakat dan ekonomi SEA yang dibicarakan secara ringan.
Adapun hal yang aku kurang cocok dengan buku ini adalah ketidakstabilan penentuan data dari negara yang ingin digunakan. Terkadang Singapura dan Brunei dimasukkan, terkadang juga tidak. Cherry-picking dari data sesuai dengan narasi yang dibacakan memang baik untuk menguatkan opini dari narasi yang ingin disampaikan, tapi menurutku cukup mengganggu untuk melihat secara jujur permasalahan yang lebih mendasar dari hal yang disampaikan. Buku ini tidak begitu membicarakan masalah mendasar dari kebijakan politik dan korupsi di masing-masing negara SEA. Kesulitan dari keberagaman etnisitas dan konflik horizontal yang kerap terjadi di SEA. Semoga buku ini akan keluar lanjutannya sehingga bisa lebih jujur dalam membedah SEA sebagai region. Semoga kedapannya Pak Gita mencoba mengupas kulit-kulit tiap daerah SEA dan menjadi pembelajaran bersama sebagai sesama negara SEA sehingga tidak jatuh di lubang yang sama ataupun menghindari lubang dari negara tetangga sesama SEA.
Adapun hal yang aku kurang cocok dengan buku ini adalah ketidakstabilan penentuan data dari negara yang ingin digunakan. Terkadang Singapura dan Brunei dimasukkan, terkadang juga tidak. Cherry-picking dari data sesuai dengan narasi yang dibacakan memang baik untuk menguatkan opini dari narasi yang ingin disampaikan, tapi menurutku cukup mengganggu untuk melihat secara jujur permasalahan yang lebih mendasar dari hal yang disampaikan. Buku ini tidak begitu membicarakan masalah mendasar dari kebijakan politik dan korupsi di masing-masing negara SEA. Kesulitan dari keberagaman etnisitas dan konflik horizontal yang kerap terjadi di SEA. Semoga buku ini akan keluar lanjutannya sehingga bisa lebih jujur dalam membedah SEA sebagai region. Semoga kedapannya Pak Gita mencoba mengupas kulit-kulit tiap daerah SEA dan menjadi pembelajaran bersama sebagai sesama negara SEA sehingga tidak jatuh di lubang yang sama ataupun menghindari lubang dari negara tetangga sesama SEA.
February 7, 2026
A difficult book to finish for me. Almost dnf-ing mid way but managed to get through the final line. The positive and negative of this book has been how this book structured. It covered a wide range of topic (which is good) but at the same time provides too many data, which some of them are misleading / misrepresented.
Reading this book also feels like reading a business report / policy brief / academic journals, except it feels… unpolished. Found too many academic jargons, data-packed with misleading arguments (e.g., “asean being the most peaceful region though number of deaths”), and strong yet lost cause paragraphs (e.g., “economist have not found frameworks to reduce inequality” — which is a strong and misleading statement, there are some growing economics framework developed and currently in development to close inequality gaps)
I want to like this book so much. I feel this book could benefit more through grounded and engaging writing tone, less numbers but more compelling narrative. Nonetheless, still a good book, well-honed insights, just… reduce your expectation.
Reading this book also feels like reading a business report / policy brief / academic journals, except it feels… unpolished. Found too many academic jargons, data-packed with misleading arguments (e.g., “asean being the most peaceful region though number of deaths”), and strong yet lost cause paragraphs (e.g., “economist have not found frameworks to reduce inequality” — which is a strong and misleading statement, there are some growing economics framework developed and currently in development to close inequality gaps)
I want to like this book so much. I feel this book could benefit more through grounded and engaging writing tone, less numbers but more compelling narrative. Nonetheless, still a good book, well-honed insights, just… reduce your expectation.
January 16, 2026
What It Takes: Southeast Asia adalah buku yang mengajak pembaca melihat Asia Tenggara dari sudut pandang yang lebih percaya diri. Gita Wirjawan tidak hanya membahas potensi kawasan ini, tapi juga tantangan nyata yang harus dihadapi agar Asia Tenggara bisa punya suara yang lebih kuat di panggung global. Buku ini terasa reflektif, visioner dan relevan, terutama bagi pembaca yang tertarik pada isu pendidikan, kepemimpinan dan masa depan kawasan. Bukan bacaan ringan, tapi membuka cara berpikir baru tentang siapa kita dan ke mana Asia Tenggara seharusnya melangkah.
January 21, 2026
I’m usually pretty pessimistic about the state of things here. But reading this was a refreshing reality check. It treats Indonesia and SEA with the same objective lens you usually read about the US or Chinajust straight metrics without the usual nationalistic bias. It’s actually cool to see that despite how chaotic it feels on the ground, the numbers show we’re not doing that bad. We still exist, and we're actually resilient.
October 7, 2025
I've heard and understood Gita's key ideas to bring ASEAN to the next level many times in his Endgame podcast, but through reading this book made me deep dive more into his insights and arguments...
I hope ASEAN will become more important and stronger in coming years or decades in global stage, even though it aint easy tasks for sure considering current political instability that still in charge on most SEA countries...
I urge fellow SEA friends and scholars to read this book...
I hope ASEAN will become more important and stronger in coming years or decades in global stage, even though it aint easy tasks for sure considering current political instability that still in charge on most SEA countries...
I urge fellow SEA friends and scholars to read this book...
February 10, 2026
What It Takes: Southeast Asia, From the Periphery to the Core of Global Consciousness is an ambitious and timely attempt to articulate the challenges and opportunities facing Southeast Asia, a region vast in scale, rich in resources and diversity, yet too often treated as peripheral in global strategic and economic thinking.
Written by Gita Wirjawan, a seasoned banker, former trade and investment minister on two occasions, and long-time public intellectual, the book reflects a rare combination of policy experience, global exposure, and regional intimacy. Drawing on his Indonesian roots, US education (including Harvard), and years in government and finance, Pak Gita sets out on a grand journey to make the case for what Southeast Asia needs to move from the margins of global consciousness to its core.
The book ranges widely, yet with purpose. Gita grapples with development and education, the integration of AI and digital technologies for public good, and the difficult balancing act between energy transition, energy security, and affordability. He does so not in abstraction, but through a blend of storytelling and empirics, moving from untold historical episodes such as the Anglo-Dutch rivalry over Indonesia’s spice islands and the layered spread of religions across the region, to data-driven comparisons of Southeast Asia’s development trajectory against China, India, and OECD economies. His use of concrete metrics, including electrification rates, educational attainment, and related indicators, gives a striking and grounded sense of the region’s true development conditions and trajectory.
What stands out is not just the breadth of themes, but the underlying sensibility. The book refuses to romanticise the region’s diversity (though the story is beautiful), while offering a clear-eyed assessment of institutional gaps, policy trade-offs, and execution risks. Southeast Asia is treated neither as a passive recipient of global forces nor as an inevitable success story, but as a region with agency and options - provided it can invest in human capital, strengthen governance, and navigate technological and geopolitical disruption with discipline and pragmatism.
This is a serious and thoughtful attempt to narrate Southeast Asia’s future at a critical juncture. It is a must-read not only for policymakers and business leaders from the region, but also for global readers thinking about development, interdependence, and how the next phase of global growth will be shaped beyond familiar great-power lenses.
In a moment when Southeast Asia is increasingly consequential yet still insufficiently understood, What It Takes is a valuable and timely contribution.
Written by Gita Wirjawan, a seasoned banker, former trade and investment minister on two occasions, and long-time public intellectual, the book reflects a rare combination of policy experience, global exposure, and regional intimacy. Drawing on his Indonesian roots, US education (including Harvard), and years in government and finance, Pak Gita sets out on a grand journey to make the case for what Southeast Asia needs to move from the margins of global consciousness to its core.
The book ranges widely, yet with purpose. Gita grapples with development and education, the integration of AI and digital technologies for public good, and the difficult balancing act between energy transition, energy security, and affordability. He does so not in abstraction, but through a blend of storytelling and empirics, moving from untold historical episodes such as the Anglo-Dutch rivalry over Indonesia’s spice islands and the layered spread of religions across the region, to data-driven comparisons of Southeast Asia’s development trajectory against China, India, and OECD economies. His use of concrete metrics, including electrification rates, educational attainment, and related indicators, gives a striking and grounded sense of the region’s true development conditions and trajectory.
What stands out is not just the breadth of themes, but the underlying sensibility. The book refuses to romanticise the region’s diversity (though the story is beautiful), while offering a clear-eyed assessment of institutional gaps, policy trade-offs, and execution risks. Southeast Asia is treated neither as a passive recipient of global forces nor as an inevitable success story, but as a region with agency and options - provided it can invest in human capital, strengthen governance, and navigate technological and geopolitical disruption with discipline and pragmatism.
This is a serious and thoughtful attempt to narrate Southeast Asia’s future at a critical juncture. It is a must-read not only for policymakers and business leaders from the region, but also for global readers thinking about development, interdependence, and how the next phase of global growth will be shaped beyond familiar great-power lenses.
In a moment when Southeast Asia is increasingly consequential yet still insufficiently understood, What It Takes is a valuable and timely contribution.
January 14, 2026
Indonesia once carried a real sense of direction on the global stage, back when Bung Karno helped initiate the non aligned movement and brought Asia and Africa into a shared voice. But somewhere along the way, that mandate has slowly degraded. Today, Indonesia and Southeast Asia more broadly, too often feels like a spectator watching the U.S. and China rivalry, instead of stepping forward and fully owning the region’s potential: our resources, our relatively stable and peaceful environment, and the cultural strength that should give us confidence, not hesitation.
Reading Pak Gita’s What It Takes honestly brought me back that hunger we once had. It reminded me that Southeast Asia is not a “supporting actor” in the world economy, we’re a region with scale, leverage, and a future worth shaping. And what I appreciate most is that the book doesn’t stop at big ideas because it pushes toward practical and long term moves. Things like redefining the region by building stronger narrators through meritocracy, improving legal certainty so FDI can flow with more confidence into developing areas, and making an equal access to education for every child without exception. Those aren’t just nice statements. They’re the kind of structural foundations that actually change trajectories.
The part that stayed with me the most was the “world paradoxes” angle, especially the elitization of renewable energy, where sustainability becomes something only richer countries can afford, and the struggle to democratize ideas in a world where information is everywhere, yet idea still isn’t equally distributed. That tension feels real, and it’s exactly why this book was such a meaningful read for me.
Overall, this is genuinely a great work from Pak Gita. It felt like getting a clean synthesis of the Endgame conversations I’ve been listening to for the past five years. only now, packaged in a way that’s easier to reflect on and build from. We need more writing like this: a writing that disrupts and challenges the status quo!
Reading Pak Gita’s What It Takes honestly brought me back that hunger we once had. It reminded me that Southeast Asia is not a “supporting actor” in the world economy, we’re a region with scale, leverage, and a future worth shaping. And what I appreciate most is that the book doesn’t stop at big ideas because it pushes toward practical and long term moves. Things like redefining the region by building stronger narrators through meritocracy, improving legal certainty so FDI can flow with more confidence into developing areas, and making an equal access to education for every child without exception. Those aren’t just nice statements. They’re the kind of structural foundations that actually change trajectories.
The part that stayed with me the most was the “world paradoxes” angle, especially the elitization of renewable energy, where sustainability becomes something only richer countries can afford, and the struggle to democratize ideas in a world where information is everywhere, yet idea still isn’t equally distributed. That tension feels real, and it’s exactly why this book was such a meaningful read for me.
Overall, this is genuinely a great work from Pak Gita. It felt like getting a clean synthesis of the Endgame conversations I’ve been listening to for the past five years. only now, packaged in a way that’s easier to reflect on and build from. We need more writing like this: a writing that disrupts and challenges the status quo!
January 16, 2026
I would say that this book resembles Pak Gita’s hope for the nation. It covers interdisciplinary topics ranging from education, geopolitics, philosophy, economics, to leadership, yet they are tied together in a way that feels coherent and relevant. The Pulau Run story is one of the examples that resembles the kind of "What If’s” Indonesia has faced in the past. It highlights the amount of involvements and missed opportunities that shaped our trajectory as a nation, while also subtly reminding us that our current challenges are part of a much longer historical context.
On the other hand, the book brings forward the idea that Indonesia’s long-term progress cannot rely solely on natural resources or geopolitical luck. Education becomes the central prerequisite for innovation, productivity, and value creation, which then ties back to bigger issues such as capital circulation, low levels of foreign direct investment, and our limited participation in global supply chains.
In this context, the book also situates Indonesia within a rapidly changing global landscape where technological advancements are redefining how nations compete. Without strengthening education and innovation capacity, Indonesia may struggle to move beyond extractive industries and instead risk missing out on the next wave of economic transformation.
Overall, the book serves as a reminder of how severe and structural Indonesia’s challenges actually are, while at the same time opening up a broader discussion on what it would take to address them. It doesn’t offer easy solutions, nor does it dilute the complexity of the issues, but it encourages readers to think critically about education, governance, and long-term strategy.
On the other hand, the book brings forward the idea that Indonesia’s long-term progress cannot rely solely on natural resources or geopolitical luck. Education becomes the central prerequisite for innovation, productivity, and value creation, which then ties back to bigger issues such as capital circulation, low levels of foreign direct investment, and our limited participation in global supply chains.
In this context, the book also situates Indonesia within a rapidly changing global landscape where technological advancements are redefining how nations compete. Without strengthening education and innovation capacity, Indonesia may struggle to move beyond extractive industries and instead risk missing out on the next wave of economic transformation.
Overall, the book serves as a reminder of how severe and structural Indonesia’s challenges actually are, while at the same time opening up a broader discussion on what it would take to address them. It doesn’t offer easy solutions, nor does it dilute the complexity of the issues, but it encourages readers to think critically about education, governance, and long-term strategy.
January 22, 2026
What It Takes: Southeast Asia offers a thoughtful and well-grounded discussion on the opportunities and challenges faced by Southeast Asia in today’s global context. Rather than focusing only on economic growth, Gita Wirjawan invites readers to look deeper into the importance of leadership, human capital, education, and long-term vision as key drivers of regional progress.
Drawing from his experience in government, business, and education, the author explores various dimensions such as history, economic development, sustainability, and technology. One of the main ideas emphasized in the book is that Southeast Asia has significant potential due to its demographic size and resources, but this potential can only be realized through stronger investment in people, regional cooperation, and the ability to define its own development narrative.
A particularly interesting aspect of the book is its focus on narrative and identity. Wirjawan argues that Southeast Asia should not merely be seen as a market or production base, but as a region capable of contributing ideas, values, and innovation to the global stage. This perspective encourages young people to see themselves not only as beneficiaries of development, but also as active contributors and future leaders.
Overall, What It Takes: Southeast Asia is an insightful and motivating read, especially for students and young professionals who are interested in leadership, public policy, and regional development. The book provides a broader understanding of what meaningful and sustainable progress in Southeast Asia truly requires.
Drawing from his experience in government, business, and education, the author explores various dimensions such as history, economic development, sustainability, and technology. One of the main ideas emphasized in the book is that Southeast Asia has significant potential due to its demographic size and resources, but this potential can only be realized through stronger investment in people, regional cooperation, and the ability to define its own development narrative.
A particularly interesting aspect of the book is its focus on narrative and identity. Wirjawan argues that Southeast Asia should not merely be seen as a market or production base, but as a region capable of contributing ideas, values, and innovation to the global stage. This perspective encourages young people to see themselves not only as beneficiaries of development, but also as active contributors and future leaders.
Overall, What It Takes: Southeast Asia is an insightful and motivating read, especially for students and young professionals who are interested in leadership, public policy, and regional development. The book provides a broader understanding of what meaningful and sustainable progress in Southeast Asia truly requires.
January 13, 2026
Reading What It Takes: Southeast Asia feels like being invited into an honest dialogue about our own region, not from the lens of growth euphoria, but through a deeper reflection on leadership, institutional capacity, and the courage required to make long-term decisions. The book does not pretend to offer instant solutions. Its strength lies precisely in its candor in acknowledging that Southeast Asia is still in a phase of becoming, not yet fully arrived, but no longer at the starting line.
As someone working at the intersection of business and sustainability, I see this book as relevant not only as a leadership read, but as a strategic mirror for the region. Gita underscores that Southeast Asia’s competitiveness will not be determined solely by demographic dividends or GDP growth, but by the quality of leadership & building long-term institutional trust.
I also took away a message that felt deeply personal: Southeast Asia’s global competitiveness cannot be built with a follower’s mindset. For too long, the region has been comfortable positioning itself merely as a market, a production base, or a policy laboratory for others. This book implicitly challenges readers : particularly young leaders & entrepreneurs to have the courage to build a strong regional conviction.
As someone working at the intersection of business and sustainability, I see this book as relevant not only as a leadership read, but as a strategic mirror for the region. Gita underscores that Southeast Asia’s competitiveness will not be determined solely by demographic dividends or GDP growth, but by the quality of leadership & building long-term institutional trust.
I also took away a message that felt deeply personal: Southeast Asia’s global competitiveness cannot be built with a follower’s mindset. For too long, the region has been comfortable positioning itself merely as a market, a production base, or a policy laboratory for others. This book implicitly challenges readers : particularly young leaders & entrepreneurs to have the courage to build a strong regional conviction.
October 29, 2025
In a world saturated with think-pieces and policy papers, Gita Wirjawan’s What It Takes: Southeast Asi/i> is a thunderclap. It is a manifesto, and Southeast Asia has been in desperate need of one. Wirjawan, with his formidable acumen as a former cabinet minister and investment banker, does not simply analyse the region's potential; he sounds a bold, uncompromising clarion call for its ascent.
The central, galvanising thesis is the urgent need for SEA to shift from the periphery to the core of global consciousness. Wirjawan masterfully dismantles the outdated narrative of the region as merely a collection of emerging markets or a strategic chessboard for superpowers. Instead, he posits Southeast Asia as an indispensable, coherent force in its own right – a demographic and economic dynamo whose time has come.
What makes this work so vital is its synthesis of granular economic insight with a grand, almost philosophical, vision. He tackles the hard questions: the imperative of digital sovereignty, the non-negotiable demand for quality education, and the intricate dance between geopolitical giants. The prose is confident, direct and refreshingly free of diplomatic hedging.
The central, galvanising thesis is the urgent need for SEA to shift from the periphery to the core of global consciousness. Wirjawan masterfully dismantles the outdated narrative of the region as merely a collection of emerging markets or a strategic chessboard for superpowers. Instead, he posits Southeast Asia as an indispensable, coherent force in its own right – a demographic and economic dynamo whose time has come.
What makes this work so vital is its synthesis of granular economic insight with a grand, almost philosophical, vision. He tackles the hard questions: the imperative of digital sovereignty, the non-negotiable demand for quality education, and the intricate dance between geopolitical giants. The prose is confident, direct and refreshingly free of diplomatic hedging.
January 6, 2026
Reading What It Takes: Southeast Asia by Gita Wirjawan felt surprisingly eye‑opening. I don’t usually dive into books about politics or economics, but this one made me realize how much Southeast Asia is stepping into the global spotlight. It talks about the region’s huge population, growing economy, and the challenges it faces with things like inequality and energy transitions. What stood out is how little the world seems to talk about Southeast Asia’s role, even though it’s clearly becoming more important.
From a casual reader’s perspective, this book does have a lot of heavy data and very academic english words that I rarely read. To understand one page it took me 2 times reading to truly understand it. As an avid watcher of his Endgame Podcast as well I can see that this book mixes Pak Gita’s own experiences with insights from conversations he’s had with different guests and many great public figure.
I came away with a new appreciation for how much potential the region has, and honestly, it made me see Southeast Asia in a different light. It’s not just about culture and travel—it’s about shaping the future in ways I hadn’t really thought about before.
From a casual reader’s perspective, this book does have a lot of heavy data and very academic english words that I rarely read. To understand one page it took me 2 times reading to truly understand it. As an avid watcher of his Endgame Podcast as well I can see that this book mixes Pak Gita’s own experiences with insights from conversations he’s had with different guests and many great public figure.
I came away with a new appreciation for how much potential the region has, and honestly, it made me see Southeast Asia in a different light. It’s not just about culture and travel—it’s about shaping the future in ways I hadn’t really thought about before.
January 23, 2026
As a public administration student, I'm finding What It Takes: Southeast Asia to be a compelling analysis of the structural gaps holding our region back. Wirjawan's argument about bridging the divide between power and talent resonates deeply (too often); those with authority lack expertise, and vice versa. His reframing of bureaucratic efficiency as a competitive advantage is particularly striking; regulatory friction isn't just inconvenient, it's a tax on national growth. The emphasis on closing the "cognitive gap" through STEM investment and technical capacity-building challenges conventional development thinking in important ways.
I'm still working through the book, but what I've read so far provides a rigorous, data-driven framework that goes beyond typical governance platitudes. For anyone interested in public policy, regional development, or how Southeast Asia can operationalize its potential, this is essential reading. The ideas here complement and deepen the conversations Pak Gita explores on the Endgame podcast.
I'm still working through the book, but what I've read so far provides a rigorous, data-driven framework that goes beyond typical governance platitudes. For anyone interested in public policy, regional development, or how Southeast Asia can operationalize its potential, this is essential reading. The ideas here complement and deepen the conversations Pak Gita explores on the Endgame podcast.
November 6, 2025
What It Takes offers a broad exploration of themes that will feel familiar to anyone who has followed Gita Wirjawan’s Endgame podcast. The book revisits many of the same topics, such as regional dynamics, Southeast Asia’s economic prospects, the importance of education, and democratizing ideas, which makes the narrative insightful. However, at times, the topics feel repetitive at some parts of the book. It leans heavily on the same conceptual foundations—regional integration, talent development, and institutional reform—without always offering deeper or newer insights.
That said, several sections still stand out. I strongly resonate with the book’s advocacy for investing in strong education systems, fostering good governance, and democratizing access to knowledge and ideas. The framing of Southeast Asia’s competitive potential, especially in a world shifting away from Western centrality, is relevant and offers a helpful macro lens.
That said, several sections still stand out. I strongly resonate with the book’s advocacy for investing in strong education systems, fostering good governance, and democratizing access to knowledge and ideas. The framing of Southeast Asia’s competitive potential, especially in a world shifting away from Western centrality, is relevant and offers a helpful macro lens.
January 16, 2026
Meskipun belum membaca bukunya secara utuh, diskusi yang saya simak mengenai What It Takes karya Gita Wirjawan ini memberikan perspektif baru yang sangat relevan bagi pengembangan diri. Buku ini tampaknya bukan sekadar analisis geopolitik ataupun ekonomi saja, melainkan ajakan bagi setiap individu di Asia Tenggara untuk merombak mentalitas 'pinggiran' menjadi mentalitas 'inti' (core).
Kuncinya terletak pada peningkatan kapasitas diri dalam mengelola risiko dan memperkuat literasi, sehingga kita mampu melihat peluang di tengah ketidakpastian dunia. Namun, kepercayaan diri saja tidak cukup tanpa fondasi yang kuat. Poin krusial yang diangkat adalah bagaimana potensi besar ini harus ditumbuhkembangkan secara nyata melalui perbaikan kualitas pendidikan. Ketimpangan ilmu adalah musuh utama kemajuan, dan buku ini sepertinya menjadi pengingat keras bahwa untuk mengubah nasib kawasan, kita harus mulai dengan meningkatkan kapasitas diri dan intelektualitas kita masing-masing.
Kuncinya terletak pada peningkatan kapasitas diri dalam mengelola risiko dan memperkuat literasi, sehingga kita mampu melihat peluang di tengah ketidakpastian dunia. Namun, kepercayaan diri saja tidak cukup tanpa fondasi yang kuat. Poin krusial yang diangkat adalah bagaimana potensi besar ini harus ditumbuhkembangkan secara nyata melalui perbaikan kualitas pendidikan. Ketimpangan ilmu adalah musuh utama kemajuan, dan buku ini sepertinya menjadi pengingat keras bahwa untuk mengubah nasib kawasan, kita harus mulai dengan meningkatkan kapasitas diri dan intelektualitas kita masing-masing.
January 16, 2026
This book discusses Towards the Core of Global Awareness, discussing the process of modernization and the position of Southeast Asia, which is home to around 700 million people in the international landscape. Gita Wirjawan raised various challenges that this region still faces, ranging from low GDP per capita, inequality in education, to sustainability issues, while emphasizing Southeast Asia's strategic advantages amidst the dynamics of a multipolar world.
By combining a realistic attitude and high hopes, this book was born from a series of dialogues with academics, practitioners and global figures. Through this book, future leaders are invited to rethink the direction of Southeast Asia's development while opening up the great opportunities it has on the world stage.
Contains a lot of learning
The argument is easy to understand
Divided into several themes
Chapters are interrelated
Credibility of information
Recommended by Experts.
By combining a realistic attitude and high hopes, this book was born from a series of dialogues with academics, practitioners and global figures. Through this book, future leaders are invited to rethink the direction of Southeast Asia's development while opening up the great opportunities it has on the world stage.
Contains a lot of learning
The argument is easy to understand
Divided into several themes
Chapters are interrelated
Credibility of information
Recommended by Experts.
January 21, 2026
I haven’t read this book yet, but even its premise already resonates deeply with me. *What It Takes: Southeast Asia* speaks to a question I’ve long been curious about: why a region—and especially countries like Indonesia, rich in resources, people, and potential—still seems left behind on the global stage, while places like Singapore surge ahead. What excites me most is Gita Wirjawan’s emphasis on long-term thinking, storytelling, and education as key drivers of progress. As someone who believes in the power of narratives and currently works in the education sector, I’m especially curious about what kind of education Southeast Asia truly needs—not one based on memorization and fear, but one that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and the courage to explore our best selves. This book feels like an invitation to imagine Southeast Asia, and Indonesia, as a more confident and meaningful global actor—and that’s a conversation I’m eager to engage with.
January 21, 2026
What It Takes: Southeast Asia" by Gita Wirjawan is more than just a book—it's an insightful journey into the heart of one of the world's most dynamic regions. Written with clarity and authority by someone who has not only studied but also actively shaped policy and investment landscapes, this book stands out as an essential read for students, professionals, and anyone curious about Southeast Asia’s evolving role in the global arena.
Wirjawan masterfully blends economic analysis, geopolitical context, and personal narrative to paint a holistic picture of the opportunities and challenges facing ASEAN nations. What I found particularly compelling was his ability to distill complex topics—like regional integration, digital transformation, and sustainable development—into accessible and engaging prose. His firsthand experiences in government and finance add a layer of authenticity and depth that is rare in similar works.
Wirjawan masterfully blends economic analysis, geopolitical context, and personal narrative to paint a holistic picture of the opportunities and challenges facing ASEAN nations. What I found particularly compelling was his ability to distill complex topics—like regional integration, digital transformation, and sustainable development—into accessible and engaging prose. His firsthand experiences in government and finance add a layer of authenticity and depth that is rare in similar works.
January 23, 2026
As someone working with e-commerce data across Southeast Asia, this book really resonated with me. Gita Wirjawan doesn't do the usual "Asia is the future" hype—instead, he gives you honest, data-backed insights on why a region with 700 million people still gets overlooked globally. His points about the massive education gap hit home hard because we're constantly struggling to find qualified data engineers and analysts, and his take on digital sovereignty made me realize how much of our e-commerce infrastructure is actually controlled by external players (mostly Chinese and Singaporean companies). The stat about only 0.26% of global books being about SEA explains so much about why market research and consumer behavior data is so hard to find for anything outside Singapore or Thailand. Sure, it's heavy on diagnosis and lighter on solutions, but if you work in tech, e-commerce, or just want to understand the region's economic reality beyond the hype, this is essential reading.
January 23, 2026
Gita Wirjawan’s What It Takes: Southeast Asia is a compelling exploration of the region’s untapped potential, blending sharp analysis with visionary optimism. Drawing from years of conversations with global thinkers and his own academic immersion at Stanford, Wirjawan argues that Southeast Asia possesses the capacity to shape global consciousness but must invest more deeply in education, governance, infrastructure, and innovation. The book highlights critical challenges—such as the need for stronger STEM education and better storytelling from within the region—while also instilling hope that Southeast Asia can rise as a major force in addressing issues like energy transition, inequality, and humanitarian crises. Written with clarity and conviction, it serves as both a wake-up call and an inspiring roadmap for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and young leaders eager to redefine the region’s narrative on the world stage.
January 10, 2026
From my POV, Mr Gita thoughfully shows how Southeast Asia can build its own narrative by learning from the past while engaging woth todays uncertainty. What struck me most is the emphasis on education. The challenge is how to look deeper, connecting ideas, and turning uncertainty into opportunity. How aspects like policy, economic development, climate change, internet through AI development become several keys for southeast asian to take concern.
I see that , the biggest takeway is how educated society can navigate complex forces, make decisions, and shape a regional narrative. This book is a booster for reflection, it shows that the real value isn't knowing every fact, but in developing the mindset to understand, connect and act. Overall, its an insightfull narration, guide to forces the takeways to go for.
I see that , the biggest takeway is how educated society can navigate complex forces, make decisions, and shape a regional narrative. This book is a booster for reflection, it shows that the real value isn't knowing every fact, but in developing the mindset to understand, connect and act. Overall, its an insightfull narration, guide to forces the takeways to go for.
January 14, 2026
An essential and inspiring read for anyone looking to understand or build a business in Southeast Asia.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how the author weaves together data, history, and cross-country experience without falling into narrow nationalism. Indonesia is not always placed at the center of the narrative, but rather as part of a broader Southeast Asian ecosystem. This approach makes the book feel mature, balanced, and globally relevant.
Pros:
Rich with real and inspiring case studies
Offers a nuanced view of each country’s culture and economy
Forward-looking and practical
Cons:
The wide scope makes some topics feel brief
Some data may become outdated over time
Overall, What It Takes: Southeast Asia is a thoughtful and insightful read that encourages readers to see the region not just as a market, but as a future global player.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how the author weaves together data, history, and cross-country experience without falling into narrow nationalism. Indonesia is not always placed at the center of the narrative, but rather as part of a broader Southeast Asian ecosystem. This approach makes the book feel mature, balanced, and globally relevant.
Pros:
Rich with real and inspiring case studies
Offers a nuanced view of each country’s culture and economy
Forward-looking and practical
Cons:
The wide scope makes some topics feel brief
Some data may become outdated over time
Overall, What It Takes: Southeast Asia is a thoughtful and insightful read that encourages readers to see the region not just as a market, but as a future global player.
January 14, 2026
What It Takes: Southeast Asia is a thought-provoking reflection on the region’s untapped potential and its path toward global relevance. Drawing from his experience across government, business, and education, Gita Wirjawan argues that Southeast Asia’s biggest challenge is not lack of resources, but lack of a shared vision and strong narrative
The book explores key themes such as education, economic resilience, sustainability, and geopolitics, emphasizing that human capital and mindset are the true drivers of long-term growth. Rather than offering technical policy prescriptions, Wirjawan challenges readers to rethink how Southeast Asia defines success and tells its story to the world
Concise, reflective, and aspirational, this book is ideal for leaders, students, and anyone interested in Southeast Asia’s future
The book explores key themes such as education, economic resilience, sustainability, and geopolitics, emphasizing that human capital and mindset are the true drivers of long-term growth. Rather than offering technical policy prescriptions, Wirjawan challenges readers to rethink how Southeast Asia defines success and tells its story to the world
Concise, reflective, and aspirational, this book is ideal for leaders, students, and anyone interested in Southeast Asia’s future
January 14, 2026
I was genuinely excited to hear about the release of this book last year. Although I have not had the opportunity to read it directly due to financial limitations, I have been exposed to its ideas through youtube and several podcasts featuring the author.
Through these discussions, the book has opened my perspective on how vast the potential of Southeast Asia truly is. At the same time, it highlights a critical challenge the need for stronger human capital development to fully realize that potential. This insight has made me increasingly curious about how such potential can be transformed into real, impactful actions that contribute to sustainable growth and a better future for Southeast Asia.
Can't wait to read this book, may i got the opportunity to read this book.
Through these discussions, the book has opened my perspective on how vast the potential of Southeast Asia truly is. At the same time, it highlights a critical challenge the need for stronger human capital development to fully realize that potential. This insight has made me increasingly curious about how such potential can be transformed into real, impactful actions that contribute to sustainable growth and a better future for Southeast Asia.
Can't wait to read this book, may i got the opportunity to read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2026
Gita Wirjawan’s What It Takes: Southeast Asia offers a compelling and visionary exploration of the region's immense potential and the systemic hurdles it must overcome to achieve global prominence. Through a collection of insightful dialogues and personal reflections, Wirjawan masterfully blends economic analysis with cultural nuance, urging Southeast Asian leaders and youth to embrace "intellectual curiosity" and "meritocratic governance." The book serves as both a strategic roadmap for regional integration and a call to action for fostering human capital, making it an essential read for anyone looking to understand the complex dynamics of the ASEAN landscape through the lens of one of its most articulate reformers.
January 22, 2026
I’m still one chapter away from finishing it (intentionally reading this at a slower pace because I don’t want it to be over yet), but I already know this is a 5-star read for me. And as someone who lowkey fangirls Pak Gita, reading this felt like sitting across from him while he calmly tells you the truth about how the world actually works, backed by data, but never in a boring way, just clear thinking, real context, and data used the right way to explain, not to intimidate. The tone feels like a conversation, not a lecture.
Caught myself underlining so many parts, not because they sounded smart, but because they made sense. The kind of sense that makes you pause and rethink things. This book doesn’t try to impress you. It just tells the truth, patiently and thoughtfully.
Caught myself underlining so many parts, not because they sounded smart, but because they made sense. The kind of sense that makes you pause and rethink things. This book doesn’t try to impress you. It just tells the truth, patiently and thoughtfully.
January 23, 2026
Tidak seperti kebanyakan buku yang hanya mengambil satu disiplin ilmu, "Pak Gita" dengan sangat piawai mengkombinasikan berbagai disiplin ilmu. Mulai dari sejarah suatu bangsa, perekonomian dalam sebuah negara, dan sejauh mana teknologi yang digunakannya.
Menggunakan case Asia Tenggara yang alih-alih memihak salah satu kubu, justru Asia Tenggara dapat menjadi menjadi Interlock antara China dan Amerika Serikat ditengah ketidakpastian.
Asia Tenggara kepada negara barat menjadi tempat untuk mencari "fulus" sedangkan kepada China untuk mencari "teknologi".
Buku ini menomorsatukan meritokrasi sebagai fondasi utama dalam kemajuan suatu negara.
Selain itu, investasi terhadap Guru itu dirasa sangat penting. Karena agar bangsa kita menjadi "storyteller".
Menggunakan case Asia Tenggara yang alih-alih memihak salah satu kubu, justru Asia Tenggara dapat menjadi menjadi Interlock antara China dan Amerika Serikat ditengah ketidakpastian.
Asia Tenggara kepada negara barat menjadi tempat untuk mencari "fulus" sedangkan kepada China untuk mencari "teknologi".
Buku ini menomorsatukan meritokrasi sebagai fondasi utama dalam kemajuan suatu negara.
Selain itu, investasi terhadap Guru itu dirasa sangat penting. Karena agar bangsa kita menjadi "storyteller".
January 14, 2026
Reading this book made me reflect on the importance of education quality as the foundation of Indonesia’s progress. Beyond that, it raises awareness of the need for a shared strategy so that Southeast Asia does not remain on the periphery, but can stand on equal footing with communities of developed nations. Provocative, challenging, and highly relevant.
The book also presents a wide range of data from Southeast Asian countries, which felt quite dense to me and required multiple readings to fully grasp. Nevertheless, this is precisely its strength—it serves as a strong catalyst for discussion and a meaningful opener to broader perspectives on the region’s potential and challenges ahead.
The book also presents a wide range of data from Southeast Asian countries, which felt quite dense to me and required multiple readings to fully grasp. Nevertheless, this is precisely its strength—it serves as a strong catalyst for discussion and a meaningful opener to broader perspectives on the region’s potential and challenges ahead.
January 16, 2026
Although I have not yet finished reading the book, I would say that it is an easy and accessible read for those who have recently developed an interest in the dynamics of Southeast Asia. The book does an excellent job of highlighting the uniqueness and authenticity of ASEAN countries, especially in contrast to the West. It offers a well-rounded perspective, beginning with history as the foundation, reflecting on current challenges, and exploring future potential that has yet to be unlocked. As part of the ASEAN youth, the book brings a sense of fresh hope while also grounding expectations about the future of Southeast Asia.
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