Disrupters at the Gate

When Visionaries, Trailblazers, and Two Guys in a Garage Turn the World Upside Down

Published by Ideapress Publishing
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

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About The Book

Disruption comes without warning. By the time most people recognize it, it’s already too late.

Disrupters at the Gate highlights the huge, world-shifting change arriving from unexpected places that turns business models and human behavior upside down.

Jeffrey I. Cole and Harlan J. Lebo offer a definitive exploration of how disruption happens, why it so often comes from unexpected outsiders, and why even the most powerful organizations consistently fail to see it coming or refuse to understand and acknowledge it.

As digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and global crises accelerate the pace of change, Disrupters at the Gate provides business leaders, policymakers, and curious minds with a clear-eyed framework for understanding disruption – not as hype or theory, but as an enduring force that reshapes the world

Disrupters at the Gate takes the reader on a journey from the unlikely successes of “two guys in a garage” to the spectacular failures of once-dominant companies. The book uses real-life examples to introduce a powerful method to anticipate and prepare for disruption.

Drawing upon decades of experience, Disrupters at the Gate illuminates, among many topics:
  • From the moment Larry Page and Sergey Brin created Google, they expected the world’s most popular application to be disrupted. They just did not expect disruption to take 25 years – and when it came, they were not ready.
  • How the simple idea to ship and deliver cargo in the same container transformed the world economy.
  • Of the world’s 10 biggest companies in 1980, only two made the same list in 2000, and none in 2020. At the same time, technology grew from one in 1980 to eight of ten in 2020.
  • How COVID-19 became the first disruption ever that affected everyone, everywhere, all at once.
  • For 60 years, scientists have said that AI would have great potential – and that’s all. That view abruptly forever in November of 2022.
  • How the demise of coal-burning stoves led to the creation of one of the world’s most popular toys.
  • Why Xerox and Kodak should be bigger than Apple, Google, or Amazon – but aren’t, and why Rochester, New York, should have been the American capital of innovation.
  • How the recording industry had to stop forcing customers to pay for music they did not want.
  • Whose legendary product launches inspired Steve Jobs introduction of the iPhone and iPad?
  • How overweight visitors almost ruined Disneyland’s most popular attraction.
  • Why Uber had no business being in the transportation business.
  • How HBO and cable succeeded by discovering outer space.
  • Why longer lifespans may not be all good news.
  • How Sweden, in one moment, converted driving from the left side of the road to the right.
  • How a blunder that made perfect sense almost wrecked the world’s best-known product.


At no other point in history has disruption produced such a broad impact. Disruption shifts organizations, countries, and people’s lives – often with broad implications that can ripple through society. The impact of disruption can make companies and billionaires – or break them.

About The Authors

Jeffrey Cole is one of the world’s leading voices on media, technology, and the digital future, spending more than three decades tracking change and anticipating what comes next.

Cole founded the World Internet Project—the longest-running global study of online behavior, spanning 27 years in 35 countries—and now directs the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School. As a UCLA professor, Cole taught more than 35,000 students and twice received the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Cole has advised four U.S. presidential administrations, the FCC, Congress, and the Department of Defense, along with global government leaders. His industry clients include Microsoft, Sony, WPP, Time Warner, AT&T, CBS, NBC, ABC, HP, Ericsson, and Coca-Cola. He co-founded the Global Disruption Investment Fund, identifying companies poised to disrupt and be disrupted.

In 2022, Cole received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Americans who dedicate their lives to community and the world. 

Harlan J. Lebo is an award-winning journalist, historian, and author whose work has explored media, culture, and technological change for more than four decades. He has written extensively about the film and entertainment industries, journalism, and the evolution of media institutions.

A senior fellow at the Center for the Digital Future, Lebo is the author of several acclaimed nonfiction books and major studies on the impact of technology. His work is known for its depth of reporting, historical insight, and narrative clarity. In Disrupters at the Gate, he brings a historian’s perspective and a journalist’s eye to the stories of transformative change.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Ideapress Publishing (September 22, 2026)
  • Length: 463 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781646873296

Raves and Reviews

“No matter your business or profession, you may be disrupted. Read, enjoy, and painlessly learn from this vivid, valuable book.” —KEN AULETTA, Best-Selling Author and Media Columnist

Disrupters at the Gate is a masterwork. Nothing out there comes close to this kind of comprehensive portrait of disruption.” —EVERETTE E. DENNIS, Professor Emeritus, Northwestern University

“Disruption is something we have all faced. Disrupters at the Gate defines it, dissects it, and takes us through some of society’s most consequential examples. Great read!” —BARRY M. MEYER, Former Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. and Former Chair, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

“Disruption doesn’t knock—by the time you hear it, it’s already inside. With this insightful book, you’ve been warned.” —LYNDA RESNICK, Vice Chair of The Wonderful Company, Philanthropist

Disrupters at the Gate offers a uniquely informed perspective on disruption that can guide the highest levels of executive leadership on the future of our industry.” —ANDY HOWARD, Co-President, Shamrock Capital

“A must-read. Every business is going to get disrupted; it isn’t a question of if—only when and how. This book prepares you to disrupt yourself before someone else does.” —IRWIN GOTLIEB, Founder, Group M and American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame

Disrupters at the Gate provides invaluable lessons for everyone on how not only to survive, but also thrive in this brave new world.” —GEOFFREY GARRETT, Dean, USC Marshall School of Business and Former Dean, the Wharton School

“The perfect book to help us understand the age we live in.” —HAROLD BROWN, Entertainment Attorney

“Disrupters at the Gate gives a master class on how we got here and where we might be going. A must-read for those of us who are trying to navigate the future.” —ANDY KAPLAN, Chairman, KC Global Media Entertainment and Former President, Sony Pictures Worldwide Networks

“An important read for all.” —DAVID SABLE, Vice-Chairman Stagwell Global and Former CEO, Young & Rubicam

Disrupters at the Gate explores the strength of innovation and bold thinking from individuals and exposes the weakness of big corporations protecting legacy businesses and quarterly earnings that ultimately leads to their diminished value or demise. I strongly suggest you read this book . . . build a garage and change the world. It can be done!” —STEVE MOSKO, Former Chairman, Sony Pictures Television

Disrupters at the Gate reminds us that no one is untouched by disruption, and will help you see how disruption impacts your life—seen and unseen. The read is fast, furious, and clever!” —ANGELA JERABEK, Executive Director, BARR Center 

“In an age where most everything is disrupted, this is an excellent guide.” —DON PASSMAN, Attorney and Best-Selling Author

Disrupters at the Gate is an unsentimental, rigorous, and deeply insightful guide to the ways technologies, cultures, and consumers collide, overturning not just industries, but entire world orders.” —RANDALL ROTHENBERG, CEO Emeritus, IAB and Author of WHERE THE SUCKERS MOON

“A penetrating analysis of disruption’s impact, a superb and entertaining account of the modern disrupters, and a valuable primer for any organization preparing for a successful future. The book is a terrific resource for everyone from big-time CEOs to small business owners.” —MICHAEL GILBERT, Author of THE DISPOSABLE MALE 

“As a physician, I was fascinated by Disrupters at the Gate. I learned a perspective I hadn’t previously appreciated, and the chapter on the disruption from weight-loss medications was excellent. I highly recommend this book.” —ANNE PETERS, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Disrupters at the Gate is essential reading for anyone steering into the future. It shows how disruption topples industries, rewrites culture, and ignites the next waves of invention. A very, very important read.” —TOM BERNARD, Co-CEO, Sony Pictures Classics

“This book puts a human face on disruption, showing how disrupters change our behavior for better or worse. No book has a clearer view of the future.” —BOB BOOKMAN, Literary Agent and Motion Picture Executive

“This book is a thought-provoking wake-up call for anyone looking to stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape. It is a must-have guide for understanding the successes and failures of disruption.” —ANN MARIE WILLIAMS-GRAY, Emmy Award-Winning Producer

Disrupters at the Gate is a must-read for anyone interested in innovation. It takes us on a journey through many of the most impactful innovations in history. Impactful and insightful, Disrupters at the Gate demonstrates how industry-defining transformations occur and what is necessary for the next great disruption. The book offers countless insights and ideas that you can use to innovate or become a disruptive force.” —KUMAR MEHTA, Author of THE INFORMATION BIOME 

“A fascinating snapshot of how outside-the-box thinkers can and have changed global generations to come.” —LESLIE MAYER, Executive Managing Director, Cushman and Wakefield Los Angeles

“Society has experienced many disruptive events from time immemorial, but lately disruptions are coming faster and with more severe consequences. Disrupters at the Gate articulates these society-changing events and gives us a peek at what’s likely to come. This vision of the future should be required reading for anyone concerned about that future and how to deal with it. Disrupters at the Gate is an important book.” —STANLEY GOLD, Investor and Former Chair, USC Board of Trustees

“This book is a rhapsody of words and pictures that inform, entertain, and inspire.” —DAVID A. KATZ, Founder of 1 for 1 Ventures and Former Head of Fox Sports Digital and CBS Digital

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