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  • Range

  • How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
  • By: David Epstein
  • Narrated by: Will Damron
  • Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,500 ratings)

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Range cover art

Range

By: David Epstein
Narrated by: Will Damron
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Summary

'Fascinating . . . If you’re a generalist who has ever felt overshadowed by your specialist colleagues, this book is for you' Bill Gates

'A goldmine of surprising insights. Makes you smarter with every page' - James Clear, bestselling author of Atomic Habits

The instant Sunday Times Top Ten and New York Times bestseller
Shortlisted for the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award
A Financial Times Essential Reads

A powerful argument for how to succeed in any field: develop broad interests and skills while everyone around you is rushing to specialize.

From the ‘10,000 hours rule’ to the power of Tiger parenting, we have been taught that success in any field requires early specialization and many hours of deliberate practice. And, worse, that if you dabble or delay, you'll never catch up with those who got a head start.

This is completely wrong.

In this landmark book, David Epstein shows you that the way to succeed is by sampling widely, gaining a breadth of experiences, taking detours, experimenting relentlessly, juggling many interests – in other words, by developing range.

Studying the world's most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors and scientists, Epstein demonstrates why in most fields – especially those that are complex and unpredictable – generalists, not specialists are primed to excel. No matter what you do, where you are in life, whether you are a teacher, student, business analyst, parent, or job hunter, you will see the world differently after you've read Range. You'll understand better how we solve problems, how we learn and how we succeed. You'll see why failing a test is the best way to learn and why frequent quitters end up with the most fulfilling careers.

As experts silo themselves further while computers master more of the skills once reserved for highly focused humans, Range shows how people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives will increasingly thrive and why spreading your knowledge across multiple domains is the key to your success, and how to achieve it.

'I loved Range' Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author of Outliers and Talking To Strangers

'Urgent and important. . . an essential read for bosses, parents, coaches, and anyone who cares about improving performance.' Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of Drive

'So much crucial and revelatory information about performance, success, and education.' Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet

©2019 David Epstein (P)2019 Penguin Random House LLC

What listeners say about Range

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Fantastic - As a serial career changer, this has demolished my guilt and imposter syndrome that tends to accompany such a career

A tonic for those interested in everything not just something.

Thank you David Epstein - Genius and timely

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  • MK
  • 29-08-19

A must read for young Parents

In today's world of social pressure leading to overburden kids this book provides ample stories and reasons to lean back on to stay the course of Human sense to the little ones .

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Great book

Everyone should read this book. I believe it can change how we see education, business and self development.

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Great stories and some good tips.

Liked the stories found in this book. It gave good insights and thoughts for how to structure life and work. A little of a slow starter but it will get better!

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Persuasive Argument for Generalists

Detailed, and persuasive case for generalists, and how to exploit generalism. The narrator was brilliant.

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Life affirming!

Loved it, well written, well read! Not hard to get through. The Da Vinci code has nothing on this.

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fascinating unheard of stories to make a point

the stories used to make a point are drawn from throughout human history as well as science. Even if you are not interested in the point he is making, they will fascinate you. Strongly recommend this book.

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Thought provoking

Great deal of detail and anecdotes to back up hypothesis. Personally came away with a changed view on specialisation.

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The Wide World of Why to Wander

Epstein delivers a resonant and robust case for exploring the world as a Jack of All Trades rather than (it at least before) becoming a master of one.

This book will challenge you and release you from rigid overspecialised assumptions.

Tremendously fascinating.

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Breadth lays the foundations for depth

I’ve always felt that a broad range of experience was essential for a deep understanding and ability. From da Vinci to Federer, polymaths to GOATs, this book has reinforced that belief and gone way beyond in pursuing a wife and eclectic array of interests.

As a paramedic, and therefore generalist, I can’t tell you how strongly this book resonated with me.

Thank you David Epstein, a smashing and highly stimulating read.

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