Davis shows that the developed and developing world must now pursue 'sustainable development' requiring high levels of directed innovation. Industrial and commercial businesses of all kinds must bring about what amounts to a second industrial revolution.

John Davis left the Shell Group in 1974 after a long and distinguished career in research and marketing development. In the early seventies he was Chairman and Managing Director of Shell Composites Limited and IBE Limited. The author of four previous books, he has been a successful IT consultant and has been on the boards of a number of companies.