The thing about Ridley's writing is that I kind of don't care what his stance is, I just enjoy his writing. He considers aspects of innovation that I've never even cared to stop and think about, and for that I think this is a worthwhile read. (He starts off a chapter saying that he makes a challenge of walking through the streets trying to smell sewerage, then starts on a waste-management innovation tangent. It's great. ) 

It does (as every non-fiction book does) have chunks of dense information, but I've learnt to better absorb it. There's only so much non-fiction writers can cut down on technical terms before their writing is infantalised anyway. 

I will say, be a cautious reader. He makes the bold (but substantiated!) point that patents slow innovation, among others. Like some other reviews mention, that may be biased. Still, Ridley's great at narration and historical exposition.