According to conventional wisdom, innovation is best left to the dynamic entrepreneurs of the private sector, and government should get out of the way. But what if all this was wrong? What if, from Silicon Valley to medical breakthroughs, the public sector has been the boldest and most valuable risk-taker of all?

'A brilliant book' Martin Wolf, Financial Times

'One of the most incisive economic books in years' Jeff Madrick, New York Review of Books

'Mazzucato is right to argue that the state has played a central role in producing game-changing breakthroughs' Economist

'Read her book. It will challenge your thinking' Forbes