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The American Challenge

“The signs and instruments of power are no longer armed legions or raw materials or capital... The wealth we seek does not lie in the earth or in numbers of men or in machines, but in the human spirit. And particularly in the ability of men to think and to create.” — Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber in his international bestseller, The American Challenge.

The American Challenge was 50 years ahead of its time in its appraisal of Europe, industrialization, the global economy and digital future, and the sclerosis of French politics. The youth of the world can now rediscover this landmark book, and take measure of all that still remains to be accomplished to bring to fruition the dreams of post-war generation.

“The world we live in is very much the world Servan-Schreiber imagined,” Professor Paul Krugman writes in his preface to this ebook edition, further adding that “JJSS was an incredibly insightful prophet.”

With its radically new economic and political vision, The American Challenge was a bestseller when first published in 1967. Selling over 2 million copies in France and more than 10 million throughout the world, the book was translated and published in 16 languages and 26 countries.

This first ebook edition provides the original edition’s text in its entirety. Available from all major online retailers, it includes a new preface by New York Times op-ed contributor and Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Paul Krugman, acclaiming a book that “marked a whole generation.”

Praise for "The American Challenge":

“The American Challenge, was not only a game changer for European — American relations, it also provided a new and innovative conception of national competitiveness. The book was a true catalyst in the creation of the World Economic Forum.”- Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman, The World Economic Forum

“Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber first put forth his bold vision of accelerating American prosperity back in 1967. While this outcome seemed inevitable at the time, half a century later we have fallen far short of that future. The reissue of his landmark book serves as a clarion call for our stagnant civilization to find a way back to the optimistic future of the 1960s.” — Peter Thiel, Co-Founder of Paypal, Managing Partner of the Founders’ Fund

“Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber was a true humanist. He understood the importance of the sovereignty for the people in the wake of European colonialism, as well as the potential in federating resources in an increasingly multipolar world, exemplified by his support of the European integration. He also foresaw the possibilities and challenges of modern technology.” — Nicolas Berggruen, President, Berggruen Institute on Governance

“The American Challenge is an excellent, vigorous and modern book — that is to say, one free of many of the usual shortcomings and repetitiveness of commonplace thinking.” — Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, President of France, 1974-1981

“The American Challenge is at the top of the best seller lists. For a tome rich in statistics and dealing with the world of economic and corporate development, computers, satellites and the rivalries of industrial power blocs, this is an astonishing success. If Marx had done as well with “Das Kapital”, we might all be waving red flags and eating caviar.” — New York Times, May 19, 1968

About the Author:

Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber (1924 — 2006) was a WWII fighter pilot, the founder of the French newsweekly L’Express, author of several bestsellers, and deputy and President of the regional council of Lorraine.

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9780689705861
  • Genres
  • history, economics, technology, politics
  • Release date
  • 1979