Ryan, founder of Ascend Communication (which he sold to Lucent for $25 billion), now spends his time offering guidance to entrepreneurs, particularly recent college graduates intent on launching businesses. Ryan won't invite just anyone to his Montana ranch for strategy sessions: his selection criteria include a solid business plan, a working prototype and clear ideas for the direction of the business. Ryan's upbeat approach and practical advice will be welcome in today's Internet-crazed economy. With extensive online and broadcast publicity, this book should easily find its audience.

With $2.5 million in venture capital, Rob Ryan founded a tech company that sold for $22 billion 10 years later. He now operates a "boot camp" in rural Montana for wannabes from promising start-ups interested in following in his footsteps. In Entrepreneur America, he shares personal experiences along with lessons learned from his mentoring program of the same name. Chapters titled with Silicon Valley slang (like "Do the Dogs Like the Dog Food?" and "Sucking the Air out of the Room") help readers assess their readiness to meet with venture capitalists, determine whether consumers really need what they're offering, examine core competencies and market position, measure how the product or service matches the intended audience, and compile a winning business plan. Two additional chapters focus on "how to become number one and stay number one" by managing and hiring effectively, dealing with directors, and handling other responsibilities that become critical once an idea gets off the ground. Ryan shows how some of the 50-plus concepts that passed through his program proceeded afterwards, and includes exercises and other tools for those hoping to replicate their victories and avoid their mistakes. The result should prove practical and inspiring for anyone shaping a new business in today's increasingly demanding environment.