Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Doubleday Books (2010), Epub, 320 pages
Description
DNA does not make us who we are. Journalist David Shenk debunks the long-standing notion of genetic "giftedness," and presents new scientific research showing how greatness is in the reach of every individual. Integrating cutting-edge research from a wide swath of disciplines, Shenk maintains the problem isn't our inadequate genetic assets, but our inability, so far, to tap into what we already have. IQ testing and widespread acceptance of "innate" abilities have created an unnecessarily pessimistic view--and fostered much misdirected public education policy. The truth is much more exciting: our individual destinies are a product of the complex interplay between genes and outside stimuli--a dynamic that we, as people and as parents, can influence.… (more)
Media reviews
User reviews
LibraryThing member dgmlrhodes
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads. Thank you to the author and publisher for this wonderful book.
This book is revolutionary in it's thinking and is similar in nature to the Malcolm Gladwell books. The book discusses nature and IQ versus good old fashioned hard
This book is revolutionary in it's thinking and is similar in nature to the Malcolm Gladwell books. The book discusses nature and IQ versus good old fashioned hard
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work and focus. Being a firm believer in this philosophy, it is wonderful to see real evidence proving it. This is a quick read and will change the way you think! I recommend this book for those with an interest in the genetics versus hard work Show Less
LibraryThing member aevaughn
A quick, great read to inspire us all to aim high and work hard to achieve our goals. Also, contains advice on how to achieve goals, raise children, etc. In addition, it's full of useful facts like: true masters(i.e. geniuses, e.g. Mozart, Beethoven, Yo-Yo Ma, Einstein, Fenyman, Ted Williams, etc.)
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of any craft or skill require a minimum of 10,000 hrs of intense study/practice within 10 years. Show Less
LibraryThing member bartbq
This book parallel's Gladwell's Outliers, which I read a few months ago, but without being as engaging. It has several good points and does go into more depth in some areas. I particularly liked the discussion of culture as a factor in people developing to their fullest, and also making the point
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that what it takes to be truly great (while more attainable than you think) might not be worth it to most people. What drags the book down is that the author spends too much of the book telling us how geneticists and sociologists have been getting it wrong for the last couple of hundred years. That may be an unfair criticism considering the subtitle of the book should have made it clear to me that was his intent from the beginning, but I think I would have enjoyed the book more if he had simply presented his viewpoint without getting into that argument. Show Less
LibraryThing member nmele
An interesting review of the science of achievement, but somehow Shenk did not satisfy me--maybe because I have a read a lot in this area, but still a good read. I am puzzling over the ratio of text to notes, since there are more pages of notes than of the text. Kind of interesting way to write a
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book. Some of the notes are about what you would expect, just sourcing things he says or quotes in the text, but others offer more information or tell stories. Kind of a non-fiction "Pale Fire" about the science of achievement, perhaps. Show Less
LibraryThing member lindap69
another testament to the impact of practice and desire
LibraryThing member vguy
Clear informative argument for the "perspiration" view of talent. Though where the talent in my immediate family comes from remains a mystery. None of us are of the "Practice makes perfect" persuasion.
LibraryThing member LaPhenix
Clear and thorough. The information was fascinating and never did I feel bored or inundated with data. I appreciated that the author presented data that was contrary to his findings and explained his doubts professionally.
LibraryThing member starkravingmad
Will make you re-think what you can accomplish
LibraryThing member snotbottom
Thank you, thank you, thank you... I've long believed that genetics only plays a small part in defining who we are or what we are capable of. Thank you David Shenk for showing us the researcj that backs that up that belief and doing so in such a way that makes it easy to understand while not
I really like the manner the information is presented and then the flow that Shenk takes as he steps through the different areas that all play a part of defining who we are, or who we could be.
This was a First-Reads selection
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diminishing the real science and research that has been done. I really like the manner the information is presented and then the flow that Shenk takes as he steps through the different areas that all play a part of defining who we are, or who we could be.
This was a First-Reads selection
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Awards
Bristol Festival of Ideas Book Prize (Nominee — 2011)
Language
Physical description
320 p.; 9.34 inches
Local notes
Shenk argues that it is fantasy that effortless, gifted genius is born and not made. He marshals evidence to show that genetic factors do not trump environmental factors but rather work in concert with them. He notes that we can train ourselves to be successful with hard work, even if we are born with only average genetic talent. Ambition, persistence, and self-discipline are not just products of genes, but can be shaped by nurture and environment.
Standard fare, nothing new - the concept is better covered in books like Outliers or magazine articles.
Standard fare, nothing new - the concept is better covered in books like Outliers or magazine articles.
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