{"id":52906,"date":"2021-11-01T02:30:05","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T06:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=52906"},"modified":"2021-11-08T12:31:46","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T16:31:46","slug":"range-david-epstein-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/range-david-epstein-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Range by David Epstein: Review, Context, & Approach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you thinking of reading Range <\/em>by David Epstein? Is the book really worth all the hype?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Epstein is a former writer for Sports Illustrated<\/em> who has built his career writing about the science behind athleticism. In Range<\/em>, Epstein makes the case for generalism: a broad competence in many areas rather than the extreme mastery of one. Not only does cultivating range free you to pursue more of your interests<\/a>, it entails professional advantages you could have never predicted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is our review of Range<\/em> by David Epstein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Review of Range<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Range <\/em>is a bold challenge to widely-held assumptions about success and human potential. Whether you want to become an Olympic sprinter, a neuroscientist, or a virtuoso musician, the traditional advice is the same: Start practicing as soon as you can and don\u2019t stop until you\u2019re the best in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, David Epstein argues that this narrow, highly specialized path is not as reliable as it\u2019s been made out to be. Instead, broad competence in a wide range of skills is the best way to get ahead of the competition<\/strong>. Counter to what you\u2019d expect, learning to do several things well makes you better at each one. Being a jack of all trades is often the way to become master of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, very few world-class professionals attain success in the way you\u2019d expect. Rarely have entrepreneurs, scientists, or even athletes trained from birth to do what they\u2019re doing. In this book, Epstein makes the case that starting late or switching fields is nothing to be ashamed of. No matter where you are in life, you have as good a chance as anyone to become one of the greats\u2014your unique history may even give you the upper hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

David Epstein first gained public recognition as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, <\/em>investigating current events in the world of sports <\/em>and frequently making use of his scientific background (an MS in environmental science).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After leaving Sports Illustrated<\/em>, Epstein worked as an investigative journalist for the Pulitzer-winning online news source ProPublica, delivered TED Talks such as \u201cAre athletes really getting faster, better, stronger?\u201d<\/a> that have collectively racked up more than 10 million views, and hosted a podcast called How To!<\/em><\/a> for online magazine Slate<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connect with David Epstein:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n