Synopses & Reviews
In an age wracked with devastating natural disasters, global economic meltdowns, and escalating political turmoil, Resilience uncovers the hidden interconnectedness of systemic failures—both natural and man-made—and shares paradigm-shifting lessons in recreating stability and sustainability in a volatile world. When the fallout of Hurricane Katrina led to staggering oil price hikes in the U.S., domestic farmers were encouraged to produce ethanol—a cheap byproduct of corn—as an alternative fuel. However, with the American export of grossly marked down crops, Mexican farmers were practically put out of business while locals faced a 400 percent increase in the cost of regionally grown corn for tortillas. A crisis was at hand—and this was just one of many to come.
Our planet, our economy, and our lives are in a constant state of intertwined upheaval, but instead of taking a doomsday approach to this seemingly inevitable wave of change, Andrew Zolli and Ann Marie Healy offer a powerful new lens through which to view the world. Using the emerging field of resilience research, they explain how we can combat the steady disruption of our ecosystems, businesses, and governments with better shock-absorbers.
Resilience is a pioneering book that first observes how catastrophes are resolved within a wide range of disciplines from finance and neuroscience to oceanography and social psychology. Through original reporting, the authors then apply these insights to larger questions: Why are some systems more adept at absorbing change while others completely unhinge? Since most systems are interdependent, how can one stave off the impact of crisis upon another?
Provocative and eye-opening, Resilience sheds light on the multifaceted nature of change and gives readers access to cutting-edge tools—developed by the leading thinkers of our time—to help us adapt to an ever-evolving world rather than fall prey to its unpredictability.
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and#8220;In an increasingly complex world, we can't avoid shocks--we can only build better shock absorbers. This is a brilliant exploration of how best to do that, told with compelling examples and stories.and#8221; andlt;Bandgt;and#8212;Chris Anderson, editor in chief of andlt;iandgt;Wired, andlt;/iandgt;bestsellingandlt;iandgt; andlt;/iandgt;author of andlt;iandgt;The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of Moreandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Free: The Future of a Radical Price andlt;/iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"From biological systems to communities to businesses,
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and#8220;Smart and sophisticated, this is a landmark work in a new field. If you are part of a system that wants to avoid collapse, read this book.and#8221; andlt;Bandgt;and#8212;David Eagleman, neuroscientist, author of andlt;Iandgt;Incognitoandlt;/Iandgt; andandlt;Iandgt; Why the Net Mattersandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;iandgt;"Resilienceandlt;/iandgt;
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"A whirlwind tour through an idea whose time has come. I suspect that the concepts in this book will define the next decade." andlt;Bandgt; and#8212;Jad Abumrad, host and creator of Radiolab and 2011 MacArthur Fellowandlt;/Bandgt;
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"Resilience is the most compelling book I've read in years about how to navigate the accelerating pace of change that characterizes our lives today.
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"When the next disruption strikes, some will fall--and some, following the lessons of this book, will rise."
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"Spending time with Andrew Zolli's mind--that is what you will experience when reading Resilience--provides an understanding of the deep structures that will govern success in the coming century." --Bruce Mau, cofounder and director of
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and#8220;Resilience is the most important key to healing a planet that faces the most dangerous of times. More important and far more essential that either sustainability or corporate responsibility. Andrew Zolli and Ann Marie Healyand#8217;s new book has arrived at a time when we need their insight and wisdom most. Understanding resilience is imperative for our very health and survival.and#8221; andlt;bandgt;and#8212;Jeffrey Hollender, cofounder of Seventh Generation and founder of Jeffrey Hollender Partnersandlt;/bandgt;andlt;bandgt;andlt;/bandgt;
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"Resilience is, quite simply, a terrific book--an important sequel to Clay Shirky's
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and#8220;From biological systems to communities to businesses, andlt;iandgt;Resilienceandlt;/iandgt; teaches us that being strong is not about doing one thing very well. Instead, it is about utilizing flexibility, redundancy, and variety. In this important and useful book, Zolli and Healy help us all understand the importance of planning for the future, even when it means giving up some short-term gains.and#8221; andlt;Bandgt;and#8212;Dan Ariely, James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics, Duke University, and author of andlt;Iandgt;Predictably Irrational, The Upsideandlt;/Iandgt; andlt;Iandgt;of Irrationality,andlt;/Iandgt; and andlt;Iandgt;The Honest Truth About Dishonestyandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;
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andlt;iandgt;and#8220;Resilienceandlt;/iandgt; is mandatory reading for people of all disciplines that will transform how you approach daily global events. Part complexity theory, part psychology, it is a pivotal book for today and a necessity to strategically plan for tomorrow." andlt;bandgt;and#8212;David Agus, MD, Professor of Medicine and Engineering, University of Southern California, and author of andlt;iandgt;The End of Illnessandlt;/iandgt;andlt;iandgt; andlt;/iandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;/bandgt;
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and#8220;andlt;iandgt;Resilience andlt;/iandgt;is the most compelling book Iand#8217;ve read in years about how to navigate the accelerating pace of change that characterizes our lives today. More than anything else it maps new territory for leaders whether they seek to impact business, science, national security, or social transformation. Making deeply original thinking both accessible and captivating, Andrew Zolli and Ann Marie Healy have produced a rare and necessary book. The minute I put it down I began rethinking everything I thought I knew about how to make a lasting difference in the world.and#8221; andlt;Bandgt;and#8212;Bill Shore, founder and CEO of the antihunger organization Share Our Strengthandlt;/Bandgt;
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"When the next disruption strikes, some will falland#8212;and some, following the lessons of this book, will rise." andlt;Bandgt;and#8212;andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Juan Enriquez, author of andlt;iandgt;As The Future Catches You andlt;/iandgt;and andlt;iandgt;Homo Evolutis andlt;/iandgt;and managing director of Excel Venture Managementandlt;/Bandgt;
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and#8220;Spending time with Andrew Zolliand#8217;s mindand#8212;that is what you will experience when reading andlt;iandgt;Resilienceandlt;/iandgt;and#8212;provides an understanding of the deep structures that will govern success in the coming century.and#8221; andlt;bandgt;and#8212;andlt;/bandgt;andlt;bandgt;Bruce Mau, cofounder and director of Massive Change Networkandlt;/bandgt;
Synopsis
IN THIS TIME OF TURBULENCE, scientists, economists, social innovators, corporate and civic leaders, and citizens alike are asking the same basic questions: What causes one system to break down and another to rebound? Are we merely subject to the whim of forces beyond our control? Or, in the face of constant disruption, can we build better shock absorbersand#8212;for ourselves, our communities, our economies, and for the planet as a whole? andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The answers to these vital questions are shaping a new field of inquiry, and a new agenda, focused on andlt;Iandgt;resilienceandlt;/Iandgt;: the ability of people, communities, and systems to maintain their core purpose and integrity amid unforeseen shocks and surprises. By encouraging adaptation, agility, and cooperation, this new approach can not only help us weather disruptions, but also bring us to a different way of being in and engaging with the world. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Reporting firsthand from the coral reefs of Palau to the back streets of Palestine, Andrew Zolli and Ann Marie Healy relate breakthrough scientific discoveries, pioneering social and ecological innovations, and important new approaches to constructing a more resilient world. Along the way, they share insights to bolster our own psychological resilience, foster greater stability within our communities, and establish leadership imperatives for more resilient organizations. Zolli and Healy show how this new concept of resilience is a powerful lens through which we can assess major issues afresh: from business planning to social development, from urban planning to national energy securityand#8212;circumstances that affect us all. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Provocative, optimistic, and eye-opening, andlt;Iandgt;Resilience andlt;/Iandgt;sheds light on why some systems, people, and communities fall apart in the face of disruption and, ultimately, how they can learn to bounce back.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Andrew Zolli andlt;/bandgt;directs the global innovation network PopTech and has served as a fellow of the National Geographic Society. His work and ideas have appeared in a wide array of media outlets, including PBS, andlt;iandgt;Theandlt;/iandgt; andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt;, National Public Radio, andlt;iandgt;Vanity Fair, Fast Companyandlt;/iandgt;, and many others. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.andlt;Bandgt;Ann Marie Healyandlt;/Bandgt; is a playwright, screenwriter, and journalist. Her work has been produced in the United States as well as internationally, and her plays, essays, and stories have been published through Smith andamp; Kraus, Samuel French, and andlt;iandgt;The Kenyon Reviewandlt;/iandgt;. She lives in the Hudson River Valley.