"One of the central questions of economics concerns why some countries are rich, why other countries are poor, and how poor countries can best be helped to become rich. Among the many authors of books on this subject, Bill Lewis has the big advantage that the governments of many major countries asked him and his colleagues to investigate their economies and to advise them. His comparative perspective, consistent framework, and crystal-clear writing make this book a compelling read. It is also a delightful and surprising read: for instance, you probably never guessed why Japan produces automobiles much more efficiently than it produces milk."
Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA and author of the Pulitzer-Prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel

"Despite its upbeat title, The Power of Productivity is a cautionary tale, a how-not-to thoughtfully assembled by an astute observer of business. As such, it's bound to be more useful for policymakers especially than any number of success stories."
Sylvia Nasar, Knight Professor of Business Journalism, Columbia University, and author of A Beautiful Mind

"Over the last decade, the McKinsey Global Institute has produced a series of penetrating and provocative reports on the sources of productivity and wealth differentials between countries. Bill Lewis was the prime driver of that work, and he has now brought the conclusions together. The Power of Productivity is full of insights, which emerge from patient, sector-by-sector analysis. Lewis’s central insight is that strong competition in product markets is as important for wealth creation as sound macroeconomic foundations, a flexible labour market, or top-class education. He opens a new, and difficult agenda for economic policy makers around the globe, and his book deserves a wide readership."
Howard Davies, Director, London School of Economics

"Bill Lewis has produced one of the best books I have ever read on the most important subject in economics: the forces behind and barriers to long-term economic growth. The work is based on original empirical research on the productivity of various sectors in a sample comprising the largest developed and emerging economies. The book uncovers many surprising facts and undermines much of conventional wisdom on economic growth. It contains powerfully argued policy recommendations and is written with exemplary clarity and in an engaging style. It should therefore be read by professional economists and policy makers but also by the general public."
Leszek Balcerowicz, President, National Bank of Poland

"Bill Lewis’s book aims to distill the lessons from a large body of original research on a question of enormous importance: what determines the performance, especially the productivity performance, of national economies and the industries within them? I was able to participate in much of the research, and I can report that I learned a lot about the sources of productivity in both the manufacturing and service sectors of modern economies. The obvious answers are only part of the story. Readers all around the world will see vital issues in a new light."
Robert M. Solow, winner of the 1987 Nobel Prize in Economics