A must-read for anyone interested in how a small country menaced by larger neighbours through the ages has emerged as a model of modernity, efficiency and social progress. It is a miracle of modern nation-building described with infectious enthusiasm, insight and humour. Allen himself is also a model of the modern diplomat: unstuffy, keen to learn everything about a country he grew to love, and keener still to encourage others to learn too. A delightful and uplifting book. -- Nick Clegg, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and former deputy prime minister (201015) Ross Allen is one of Britains brightest young diplomats. He illuminates what makes Estonia tick: a country on the cutting edge of technological innovation and on the frontline of the new cold war with Russia. Though small, Estonia has an outsize international footprint, and Allen takes us behind the scenes on how it got hereand what lies ahead. -- George Parker, Political Editor, Financial Times During his five years in Estonia, Ross Allen has received visits from half the cabinet of three different governments. Partly for geopolitical reasons, but ministers and shadow ministers also go to Estonia to learn from all the things they do so well, like childcare and digital infrastructure. In Ross Allen, theyve been lucky to find the perfect tour guide, and now the rest of us have his book. Allen is everything you could hope for in an ambassador: highly intelligent, charming and entertaining company. But the rarer quality that underpins all these is his almost childlike enthusiasm for life, which shines through every page of this book. There is so much we can learn from Estonia. Were lucky we can learn it through the prism of Ross Allen. -- Tom Peck, parliamentary sketch-writer, The Times As an ambassador fluent in the language, Ross Allen reveals how Estonia leads the world in innovation, education, love of nature and security. Discover its culture, resilience, and digital future; a model from which we can all learn. -- Charles Clarke, former UK home secretary and education secretary How can a country of 1.3 million punch above its weight? With the most unicorns per capita and a digital state admired by more than 150 countries. Drawing on five years of working, living and singing in Estonia, Ross Allen explains Estonias remarkable success. -- Taavet Hinrikus, Director of Strategy and first employee at Skype; Wise founder; serial investor; and co-founder of Jhvi Coding School
