An inside account of one of the most innovative R&D ecosystems of the 20th century, from the man who was at the center of it all. Over a 60-year career in public affairs, Vannevar Bush--engineer, inventor, educator, and public face of government-funded science--sought to eliminate roadblocks to innovation in science and technology. In Pieces of the Action , a collection of memoir-essays, he reflects on his role in shaping the policies and organizations that powered American research and development in the mid-20th ...
Read More
An inside account of one of the most innovative R&D ecosystems of the 20th century, from the man who was at the center of it all. Over a 60-year career in public affairs, Vannevar Bush--engineer, inventor, educator, and public face of government-funded science--sought to eliminate roadblocks to innovation in science and technology. In Pieces of the Action , a collection of memoir-essays, he reflects on his role in shaping the policies and organizations that powered American research and development in the mid-20th century. As the architect and administrator of an R&D pipeline that efficiently coordinated the work of civilian scientists and the military during World War II, he was central to catalyzing the development of radar and the proximity fuze, the mass production of penicillin, and the initiation of the Manhattan Project. Pieces of the Action offers his hard-won lessons on how to operate and manage effectively within complex organizations, build bridges between people and disciplines, and drive ambitious, unprecedented programs to fruition. With wry humor, Bush also shares personal observations and anecdotes--pelting cows with apples, poking fun at servicemen who tried to keep his own invention secret from him--that offer a glimpse of the personality behind the accolades. Originally published in 1970, this updated edition includes 15 archival images from Bush's life and career and a foreword from entrepreneur and Idea Machines podcast host Ben Reinhardt that contextualizes the lessons Pieces of the Action can offer to contemporary readers: that change depends both on heroic individuals and effective organizations; that a leader's job is one of coordination; and that the path from idea to innovation is a long and winding one, inextricably bound to those involved--those enduring figures who have a piece of the action.
Read Less
Add this copy of Pieces of the Action to cart. $16.01, good condition, Sold by Bookmans rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tucson, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 2022 by Stripe Press.
Add this copy of Pieces of the Action to cart. $20.76, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2022 by Stripe Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 376 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Pieces of the Action to cart. $20.77, very good condition, Sold by Ebooksweb rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensalem, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2022 by Stripe Press.
Add this copy of Pieces of the Action to cart. $22.77, like new condition, Sold by Ebooksweb rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensalem, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2022 by Stripe Press.
Add this copy of Pieces of the Action to cart. $40.00, fair condition, Sold by Premium Classics rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chemung, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by William Morrow.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair in fair dust jacket. Former library copy with associated markings. COVER (no dust jacket)-stains; small dents/slight tears on edges, other moderate wear. PAGES-minor stains; rough edges (as manufactured), otherwise no tears; no text-markings, no notes. 300+ pgs.
Add this copy of Pieces of the Action to cart. $55.00, good condition, Sold by Harry Alter Books rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sylva, NC, UNITED STATES.
Add this copy of Pieces of the Action to cart. $75.00, very good condition, Sold by Southampton Sag Harbor Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southampton, NY, UNITED STATES, published by William Morrow.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. First Edition, First Printing. Not price-clipped ($8.95 price intact). Published by William Morrow, 1970. Octavo. Black cloth over yellow boards stamped in gold with orange endpapers. Book is very good. Sharp corners and spine straight. Binding tight and pages crisp. Pencil markings in margins throughout. Dust jacket is very good with shelf wear, edge wear, and small tears. A very good copy of this history of scientific advancement by former head of the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development. 366 pages. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions or if you would like a photo. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Southampton, New York.