Invention cover art

Invention

A Life

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Invention

By: James Dyson
Narrated by: James Dyson
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About this listen

 Dyson has become a byword for great design, brilliant invention and global success. Now, James Dyson, the entrepreneur who made it all happen, tells his remarkable and inspirational story in Invention: A Life of Learning through Failure.

'By continually challenging ourselves, investing in the future and experimenting, we can continue to make the future. We must never stop. Never, for one second become comfortable.' James Dyson

In this spirited autobiography, James Dyson interweaves his own life story with a wider exploration of the importance of invention. On the way, the reader encounters challenging and inspirational characters, radical inventions, adventurous engineering, cultural fads, political gamesmanship, legal battles and much else besides.

Invention: A Life of Learning through Failure is a 21st century call to arms: creative invention through the research, design and manufacture of technologies and products empowers not only employees and employers, but the economy at large, while the very acts of imagining, shaping and making things enriches our lives. James Dyson sees people as producers as well as consumers, the inventing and making of things part of a natural instinct. Invention is a lifelong commitment. It has been James Dyson’s life.

©2021 James Dyson. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, UK Business History & Culture Innovations Professionals & Academics Technology Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

'I left [this book] enlightened about engineering and design, and impressed by Dyson's dogged, trailblazing spirit.' (Oliver Shah)
‘The ferociously creative entrepreneur who emerges in these pages revels in practical experiment and learns from failure… Dyson’s struggles against the advice of experts and in the teeth of endless commercial and technical challenges haven’t lost their power to fascinate… Those who persist with Invention despite its flaws will be rewarded.’ (Marc Sidwell)
'Stories of consumer products and gadgets drive Mr Dyson's narrative forward, but parallel...[he] tells a story of the struggles of entrepreneurship. A final thread...is his passionate case for more and better engineering and science education in British schools' (Henry Petroski)
All stars
Most relevant  
So very glad to read this. Hearing the perspective of such an important leader, first hand. It’s pure gold.

Ps: Next time you do an audio book James, do get in touch. We’d do a better job than editors of this one. Or your money back!

An interesting business life, well told

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what an incredible achievement and story. well written easy to listen to and inspiring!! well done 👍

wow!

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I couldn't put it down, have recommended to all my close friends. especially interesting to understand james tenacity and dedication to bringing a quality product to make

fascinating autobiography

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I now quite respect JD, as an owner of a multi-national manufacturing company myself, I could relate to his toils. Excellent admission to genre. Thank you for producing it Mr Dyson.

Not as good as Shoe Dog, but excellent nonetheless.

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I felt this book took a good while to get going, but once James got into talks out the inventions the book came to life.
Am glad I perceived through the first few chapters, as really enjoyed the last half of the book,
Very interesting

Slow burner but great once it gets going

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I always prefer an audiobook which has been read by the author and James Dyson's delivery is wonderfully calm and precise. His values and design principles are inspiring and his is a path I wish more would follow.

I was especially interested in his experience dealing with attitudes to manufacturing in different countries and sadly can only agree with his view of the short-sighted and ill-educated attitude of government and the civil service in the UK.

Wonderfully inspiring

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Beautifully narrated, a business book interwoven with personal trials and tribulations. The arc of the book is astounding. A must read.

A brilliant and fascinating narrative of perseverance, creativity, business and success.

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A quintessential perfectionist. Proud to have such an individual represent Britain on a global scale. If you’ve read Steve Jobs’ biography (which I also highly recommend), you will also love and appreciate this. Very well written, and yes some sentences are repeated in this version of the audiobook, but very minor and just needs post-production editing refinements.
A great read overall!

Brilliantly written and truly inspiring.

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The journey of a remarkable determined inventor. Real struggle that inventors face and thr grit to push on regardless. Incredible contribution to education providing the best model for debt free study I've ever heard of.

Grounding, honest and a truly inspirational tale

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in awe of James Dyson. His belief in his ideas, the hotspur to put everything on the line to deliver yet another world beating product. His dismay at the UK Government attitude to engineering (amongst other failings like education, planning, sleeze) and how he powered through it and untrustworthy business partners who thought they could run roughshod over the little guy. truly inspirational and a salutary lesson.

illuminating

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