The Next American Economy: Blueprint for a Real Recovery

by William J. Holstein

At a time when debate is raging about how to create jobs and revive the American economy, veteran business writer William J. Holstein argues that the best way for us to recover our economic footing is to do what Americans do best-innovate and create new industries. Contrary to the perception that the American economy has run out of inspiration and new ideas, Holstein uses compelling case studies to celebrate the innovation and business success being experienced in many industries, from technology and energy to retraining and exporting, across the country, from Boston to Orlando, Pittsburgh to San Diego.
In the face of economic powerhouses such as Japan and China that are pursuing conscious national strategies, Holstein argues that Americans must find new avenues of cooperation among universities, business, and government to create the kind of sustainable growth we need. Replete with fresh insights into how Americans can create a real economic recovery, The Next American Economy is essential reading for business leaders, politicians, strategists, and anyone who cares about our future.

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2011

Reviews

[Gordon Kwok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed the book and it presents interesting examples of how a successful 21st economy ought to look. Having spent a number of years reading policy, I am further convinced that for most of the world’s problems, we have subject matter experts with plausible ideas on how to solve or manage the problem. The bigger issue is often politics and how to get it passed. However, this is still a great book and was a quick read.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely has really good intentions, and it held my interest all the way until the last 20 or so pages when it started to repeat itself. Actually what I think he was doing was re-iterating his points, but the book is short enough that it's not strictly necessary.

I really liked all the case studies the author used, and how he explained the way many of those ideas of things going right/wrong can be applied to the economy as a whole. It's a nice blend of positive things that are occurring, the fact we could have many more positive things occur pretty easily, and then some things that aren't going so well and how to improve them.

Very quick read, I highly recommend it to all people studying public policy, economics, environmental science, etc. I think they'd find it to be very interesting.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This offering by Holstein in its specifics makes it a breath of fresh air next to the vague rhetoric around 'job creation.' Once he explains the synergistic effect of tech ecosystems you will be looking in your small town or village for signs of these incubators of innovation.

And, apparently it is now become evident that China is not the bargain location for manufacturing it was in the early 1990's until about 2003. I get the sense this book is just an installment on the economic transformation that has turned a small corner in this country. It does this in part by showing how tech clusters ease the mentality and process of culture essential towards bringing skilled manufacturing back 'home' in the coming decades, and thus bringing the skilled toward it,

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holstein provides several examples of how companies, cities and regions have made decisions that have lead to economic gain. His positive perspective is refreshing in an cultural environment that tends to focus on the negatives of the economy. The book is broken into three parts, the first two focusing on case studies and the last part containing Holstein's blueprint for recovery. Part 3 is a bit to opinionated for my liking, but he does a good enough job grounding his opinions in facts and examples.

I would recommend this book to anybody interested in economic development.

[Ben Pushka · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but the title is highly misleading. The first 2/3 is talking about success stories, and when he gets to his "blueprint" he is extremely vague,"it should encourage...." "it will cost a little bit of money". Then he talks about creating "nonpolitical commissions" as a way to make decisions. However inherently by creating these commissions, it automatically makes them political.

Finally I did not like the way he structered the book. I would have intermingled the "blueprint" with the success stories. If I could have given this book zero stars I would; for being vague.

[Ross Emmett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing really new here. At one point I might have agreed with him: clusters of industrial strength, with universities at their core, with state gov'ts attuned to enhancing the clusters in their state, and a federal gov't that focused on "big picture" issues like federal funding of basic science.

And yet, really, this is just a sophisticated version of picking winners.

Disappointing, even though the author makes it sound so convincing.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating look into new ideas in our country; if you are interested in cutting edge ideas and how they are influencing business and the economy, this is a case-based review of what is out there right now. Interesting to think about what will stimulate the economy more than what the US invested in in the past.

[Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cogent analysis of America's economic situation. I especially appreciated the case studies which clearly articulate what is working and why. The author's blueprint flows quite logically and persuasively. Highly recommended.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting series of case studies of technology clusters in the US that lead to an in depth analysis of how to reinvent the American economy for the globalized market. The analysis was pretty compelling even though he predicted Tesla would not have lasted this long.

[Lashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

This book is very detailed. The word usage is awesome. It puts the mind in a place where an economy can be understood in a nation. Great book!