Andrew Leigh is one of those people who make you feel a little small; when he’s not running marathons, looking after his family, or being the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, he’s writing books about the policy areas that he’s interested in. His PhD was on poverty and inequality, and his many books reflect that interest – he is always seeking to understand what policies can deliver the best outcomes for the most people and deliver a free and democratic society.

Leigh is basically an optimist, believing that we can solve society’s problems. Understanding the drivers of change can help us develop and support policies that have a positive impact; in his previous book, The Shortest History of Economics, he examined how economics has impacted the world and, in his new book, he turns his attention to innovation. Innovation has changed people’s lives, mostly for the better. How does innovation happen? How can we make it happen? How can we make it happen so that it benefits society? What happens when innovations go ‘rogue’?

Leigh’s mastery of his topic is impressive as he ranges across all types of human innovation. It’s a common myth that a lot of innovation is the result of one person’s ‘Eureka moment’. Leigh shows that the best innovation comes about through societies that encourage openness and collaboration. When people work together with good will, amazing things happen. With a lively and engaging narrative, the book is peppered with Eureka examples, as well as charming, corny jokes.