Two Book Reviews
First book review
By Professor Charles E. Hutchinson
Dean Emeritus, Thayer School of Engineering
Dartmouth College, NH, USA.
Published in Technology and Innovation, the Journal of the National Academy of Inventors, Vol. 17, p. 451, 2017
Excerpts from the first Book Review
"There is also a companion website that contains backup and additional material, which would be particularly useful if the reader chooses the self-study approach but would also be helpful in a classroom environment as well. The fundamental 'construct' the author uses is a Seven Phase process [see figure below]: Pre-Startup (Phases 1-3) followed by Execution (Phases 4-7). This construct works well with the author’s thesis that engineers’ and scientists’ (his primary audience) primary contributions to the complete process of innovation are in the area of the pre-startup.
"A particularly strong contribution the author makes is his attention to the importance of intellectual property, something often missing in the training of scientists, in particular. Not only does he do a good job of explaining the process of patenting, as well as the structure of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and their processes, he spends time outlining the opportunity for pro se applicants [without patent attorney services]. This is often left out of texts of this type. The author clearly has experience in this latter approach.
"On balance, I consider Professor Swamidass’s book should be considered by any instructor as a candidate for acceptance as either the text, or at least a reference, for a course focused on scientists and/ or engineers. That could be true for either graduate students or undergraduates based on the background of the instructor. "
Second Book Review
By Prof. Daniela Cristina Momete, Politehnica University of Bucharest, Romania
Published in International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship, Sept. 2018, Vol. 36 (6), pp. 734-737
Excerpts from the Second Book Review
"On balance, this is an easy to follow book which offers a good perspective on how a person interested in technological development should act to surmount all the hurdles and invites the readers to be more confident and to pursue on the road to a new business development.
"In the book preface, Swamidass states that the book is addressed to innovative engineers and scientists who desire to become income-producing businessman or potential investors. As such, the book meets the expectations, but may also be used by anyone interested in studying to better stimulate their own entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial abilities, potentially leading to business development in technology. I would recommend the book for instructors in entrepreneurship and their students as an important reference, as the book uncovers many of the multifaceted practical aspects of what it takes to become a first-time inventor and first-time business owner."
