Secrets of Silicon Valley Paperback – July 1, 2014

Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Everyone Else Can Learn from the Innovation Capital of the World From "Why You Should Care About Silicon Valley" (first chapter) to " A Population of Highly Motivated People", on through "The Lifestyle", this author does a good job of explaining just what she promises: What everyone else can learn from the innovation capital of the world. The Silicon Valley is touted as a "mecca of innovation", and Piscione uses both history and anecdotes to describe why this area is so unique. Other cities and towns, of course, are trying to replicate that uniqueness, but the real thing is a combination of appreciation (and funding) of "big dreams", plus a tolerance of odd ideas, along with an ever-present love for contraptions. The population in the Bay Area is known for being "techhie"to begin with, so if anyplace is going to gain this type of reputation, why not there? There is money in that area also, so funding is available for various tecchie "contraptions".Read it for yourself. I think you'll enjoy it if you have any attachment to your computer/cell phone or tablet.  Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Everyone Else Can Learn from the Innovation Capital of the World

Ms. Piscione, formerly of the Washinginton National Capitol Area, has provided the American citizen with just why the California Bay Area is the world's mecca for innovation and ideas that change the way people live and why much of the United States needs to replicate to some degree the intellectual and passionate culture that area has established.A book valuable for those interested in comparing how a culture that caters to inspiring human imagination and ingenuity relates to our current political dysfunction: of how the free flow of ideas allows for advancement compared to ideas held as commodities and as private property that must not be let loose---as one finds in politics today.Highly recommended.

It is very insightful for me as a foreign Entrepreneur in SV how this place is conceived by an american author and to coincide with Deborah how I see this place too.I think something missing in the book is highlighting the importance for the "imitators" of Silicon Valley to be connected with this region.After reading it I was plenty convinced that it is a waste of time trying to replicate SV. It is easier, cheaper and more efective connecting with the Innovation Capital of the World.A great book, really useful for the current work that I'm doing.

No doubt, it is the best book that I read in this year. A key book for entrepreneurs that dream to be like the best, managers that want to create innovations in their companies and teams, politicians who look for ways to create cities that tranform the world,and of course lovers of a good book.A woman (Deborah Perry) with knowledge and experience in politics write about innovation, entrepreneurship and the ecosystem of the Silicon Valley, the "city" that is changing our way of acting, networking and create business. Awesome book.What happens in the Silicon Valley? Can it be replicated? Why are so much innovation there? So many start-ups? so much money? This book answers those questions and so many more.

Atrocious book. For someone with any background on the bay area, the ideas brought up here are obvious. I hoped the book would give some insight into the sociological aspects that make Silicon Valley, but instead the book just focuses on the outcomes which are well known. Many of the summaries of local businesses and big corporations look like they come from a travel guide, or are pasted from PR material from the companies own websites. As the book progresses it feels like the author's writing gets sloppy. Grammar mistakes and nonsensical sentences become a regular occurrence.Towards the end of the book, the author makes an personal anecdote to a local preschool. She first informs the reader that the school has a great reputation. She then proceeds to mention one of the instructors informed the author that the author's son (who attends the preschool) is gifted, as a form of verifying the preschool's reputation while also touting her own child's abilities. I didn't buy this book to learn about the author's child's talents, and the story doesn't help to explain why the school is so great.Unfortunately, as has been pointed out by other reviewers, there seem to be a majority of reviews for this book which give a 5-start rating with absolutely no justification. I wish I had not wasted my time or money on this book.

I buy my books at Amazon and sell them at The Smallest Bookstore In The World (we carry one book at a time, don't want crush Amazon) at Buck's of Woodside. I just ordered 80 books because this one will outsell The Internet BubbleI've read all the books about The Valley. This one is by far the best and not just because of the couple of flattering pages about me. It is a solid work with insights into our 100 past right up to today. If there is one book you should read about our little Valley of Surprises it is Deborah Perry Piscione's new book.

This was a really interesting book. I grew up in the Bay Area and I found out a lot interesting things that happened pretty much right under my nose that I never knew about.It was interesting to read about Sand Hill Rd and the VC's.Thanks for the great book!

Great book, fantastic read. Don't let all the 1 star scare you all. I live in Silicon Valley and find this book insightful.I am quite disappointed on some 1 stars, they rated her based on her political party affiliation. That is unfortunate, I thought us liberals should be open minded and give credit where it is due. Isn't this what America is all about?

The content of this book is the same you find in the weekend section of any business magazine. Except for the first chapter which is all about the author herself.