Starting From Scratch
A race against time and values when an innovative idea meets the brutal reality of execution.
Starting From Scratch is the third volume in Hans Peter Bech’s series about Henrik Bertelsen, exploring the pursuit of a good life in an era when globalisation, technology and growing prosperity open doors everywhere.
As he feels his way forward, Henrik must constantly balance tempting offers of money and business adventures with his moral principles, political convictions, family life and love of playing music.
Henrik Bertelsen has achieved success in Europe in record time with a groundbreaking Danish superprinter. But beneath the surface, disaster is brewing: technical faults, dissatisfied customers and finances on the brink of collapse.
While he is in Tokyo to open up new markets, an unexpected opportunity to save the company emerges. But an internal power struggle leaves him standing alone against stubborn management and hesitant owners. By the time he finally manages to push through his solution, time is running out.
In search of a lifeline, Henrik arrives in Beijing in June 1989, just as people take to the streets. A chance evening in Tiananmen Square sweeps him into the maelstrom of history.
As his company races against time, Henrik must choose: keep fighting or save himself.
A strikingly topical geopolitical business thriller with a global pulse and moral dilemmas.
Publication date: 18 March 2027
What readers say
Reviews of the Danish edition, translated into English.
An intense business novel with both brains and heart.
You can feel the pressure, both in the boardroom and in Tiananmen Square. Negotiations, power struggles and global events are convincingly woven together in a story about courage, doubt and consequences. An intense business novel with both brains and heart.
A compelling story.
Against the backdrop of the late 1980s, the story shows how culture, relationships and international business intertwine naturally. Sharp observations and a well-placed touch of humour make the reader pause, smile and reflect along the way. At the same time, the story offers inspiration for strengthening relationships and turning business challenges into new opportunities.
Who killed the promising venture?
In the third volume about Henrik Bertelsen, a promising business venture turns into an international crisis. From Japan to China, Henrik must navigate technical problems, pressure to grow and difficult choices.
A compelling geopolitical business thriller about ambition, responsibility and a project that goes completely off the rails.
Watch the author's introduction
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From a designer office to a wooden shed. From success to collapse. From Copenhagen to Beijing.
In Starting From Scratch, we follow Henrik Bertelsen as he leaves the security of a senior role at an American company in 1986 to stake everything on a Danish tech start-up. Success comes quickly, but so do the conflicts. Investors apply pressure, his marriage comes under strain, and technical faults threaten to bring everything down.
Watch the introduction to the third volume in the Henrik Bertelsen Saga.
Read the first chapter in Danish
Audiobook in Danish
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