Monday, Jun 24, 2019 7:00 PM

Location:
Manuel's Tavern
602 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30307

David Epstein, science writer and author of the New York Times bestseller "The Sports Gene," turns decades of self-help advice on its head in his new book "Range." Epstein marshals a mountain of scientific research to argue that the most impactful inventors, athletes, artists, musicians and more are the ones who cross domains, rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. With cutting-edge research distilled into captivating prose, "Range" will change how you think about your career, your education, your hobbies, and the way you parent.

The author will appear in conversation with New York Times Magazine writer Matthew Shaer.

About the Book

What’s the most effective path to success in any domain? It’s not what you think.

Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. If you dabble or delay, you’ll never catch up to the people who got a head start. But a closer look at research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule.

David Epstein examined the world’s most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters and scientists. He discovered that in most fields—especially those that are complex and unpredictable—generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. Generalists often find their path late, and they juggle many interests rather than focusing on one. They’re also more creative, more agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see.

Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. Failing a test is the best way to learn. Frequent quitters end up with the most fulfilling careers. The most impactful inventors cross domains rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. As experts silo themselves further while computers master more of the skills once reserved for highly focused humans, people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives will increasingly thrive.

About the Author

David Epstein is the author of the New York Times bestseller "The Sports Gene." He has master’s degrees in environmental science and journalism and has worked as an investigative reporter for ProPublica and a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. He lives in Washington, D.C.