Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Everyone Else Can Learn from the Innovation Capital of the World

When Piscione (Unfinished Business: A Democrat and a Republican Take on the 10 Most Important Issues Women Face), a former congressional and White House staffer, lobbyist, and political commentator, moved from Washington, D.C. to Silicon Valley, she experienced culture shock. Not only did she find the area welcoming, she discovered that Silicon Valley had a very distinct mindset characterized by networking, innovation, and an inimitable comfort with risk. She quickly assimilated, raising capital and launching three successful start-ups in six years. Piscione’s latest is less about how to get funding and succeed as an entrepreneur than it is about understanding how Silicon Valley ticks: the history of the area, including Stanford University’s profound influence on both technology and innovation, as well as profiles of industry leaders. The book succeeds in its mission to illustrate how Silicon Valley’s history and mindset have created an environment for success. Unfortunately, it is overly ambitious in its reach and toward the end borders on being a relocation guide, with several chapters discussing services like schools and restaurants, meeting places, and lifestyle. Nonetheless, Piscione offers a bird’s-eye view of one of the most exceptional economic ecosystems in the U.S., which is sure to interest entrepreneurs and leaders alike. Agent: Claudia Cross, Folio Literary Management. (Apr.)