About the book
A riveting, front-seat account of the innovation war between the U.S. and China that delivers a piercing diagnosis of how Washington has gotten technology competition wrong—and a plan for America to leapfrog its rivals.
Praise
“In a sweeping and inspiring study of a century of technological competition, Josh Zoffer argues the only hope for the US to regain the initiative is to leapfrog China, not to be a copycat. Based on the author’s high-flying experience in government and venture capital, Leapfrog also benefits from Zoffer’s keen understanding of the last time America leapfrogged the competition—starting nearly a century ago. We can do it again, says Zoffer.”
— Niall Ferguson, author of The Square and the Tower and Doom
“A highly persuasive road map for reigniting the moonshot engine that is critical to keeping America at the forefront of innovation. Leapfrog is a valuable manual detailing how Washington and Silicon Valley can collaborate to fund, build, and scale the technologies that will secure democratic values and ensure our competitive edge.”
— Eric Schmidt, KBE, former chairman and CEO of Google
“America’s relationship with technology is off track. On the left, big tech is demonized. On the right, there is too much impatience with the catalytic role that government should play. Josh Zoffer is too smart to be captured by either pole of this discussion. The leapfrog strategy that Zoffer proposes—an industrial policy that counters China’s willingness to invest in the potential platforms of the future—is a must read for both sides of the political spectrum.”
— Sebastian Mallaby, author of The Infinity Machine and The Power Law
“In Leapfrog, Josh Zoffer explains how America built its lead in technology—and what it will take to guarantee this lead for decades to come. Essential reading for understanding the technologies that will define the future.”
— Chris Miller, author of Chip War
“Josh Zoffer convincingly argues that no nation in 250 years has reversed its own deindustrialization—and that America must be the first. . . . A gripping read and a necessary intervention in an urgent debate.”
— Patrick McGee, author of Apple in China