Competing for the future : how digital innovations are changing the world /

Kressel and Lento (both, industry) offer a mixture of autobiography, a celebration of technology, an introductory textbook to electronics and corporate values, and a brief history of the digital revolution from a corporate perspective. There are nine chapters divided into three sections: part 1 is the "how" of electronic devices, part 2 highlights the role of individualism and corporations in innovation, and part 3 is devoted to globalization and the digital world. After an ode to Edison, David Sarnoff's leadership at RCA is used to illustrate the importance of having a visionary in the corporate lab. The promise of international technological innovation is lauded, particularly for China and India, with occasional cautionary notes alluding to a dark side to the digital revolution. How venture capital supports innovation and helps bring products to market is discussed. The book concludes by acknowledging the radical changes to the world economic map brought about by changes in industry and national economies in response to the electronic revolution. There are 12 appendixes, more than 80 figures, and 16 tables. There is no bibliography; every chapter has footnotes citing mainly periodicals and Internet sources. Summing Up: Recommended. Two-year technical program students. W. K. Bauchspies Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus