DLD12 - Top Reads

Start-Up Nation

This years’ DLD edition in cooperation with the Hanser publishing house is Saul Singer’s “Start-up Nation.” The book addresses the question how Israel - a country of 7.1 million, only 60 years old, surrounded by enemies and with no natural resources - has more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Japan or the UK? With the savvy of foreign policy insiders, Dan Senor and Saul Singer examine the lessons that can be learnt from Israel’s adversity-driven culture, flat hierarchies and informality - all backed up by government policies focused on innovation. Saul Singer will share his insights at DLD12.

Super-Earths

The world is not enough for Dimitar Sasselov. The Harvard professor of astrophysics and founder of the "Origins of Life" initiative will present his new book "Life on Super-Earths" at DLD12. As a member of the Kepler mission, he discovered the planet Kepler 22b. It is about two and a half times the size of the Earth and lies within the habitable zone of its star. This discovery is a milestone for humanity. It proves that our earth is only one among many. The Bulgarian scientist opens the human frame of reference and understanding of our place in the cosmos - nothing less than a revolution.

End Of Illness

David Agus is a global leader and researching oncologist. In his upcoming book 'The End of Illness', he explores the possibility of living a long life with robust health. By doing this, he sheds a new picture on the concept of "health" and the human body. The personal physician of Steve Jobs, who treated his pancreatic cancer and - against all odds – prolonged his life for seven years, advocates a systemic and individual approach: the body is a complex that is very different from person to person. He breaks with orthodox ideas and urges that every individual must take care of his health.

Further DLD12 Books

Lisa Randall: Knocking on Heaven's Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World: How Physics Illuminates the Universe and Just Might Save the World (2011)