Editorial Reviews

Review
“A well-supported and smoothly written case on behalf of breadth and late
starts. . . . as David Epstein shows us, cultivating range prepares us for the
wickedly unanticipated.” —Wall Street Journal

“The storytelling is so dramatic, the wielding of data so deft and the lessons so
strikingly framed that it’s never less than a pleasure to read. . . . a wealth of
thought-provoking material.” —New York Times Book Review

“Range is a convincing, engaging survey of research and anecdotes that

confirm a thoughtful, collaborative world is also a better and more innovative
one.” —NPR

“For reasons I cannot explain, David Epstein manages to make me thoroughly

enjoy the experience of being told that everything I thought about something
was wrong. I loved Range.” —Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers and The
Tipping Point

“It’s a joy to spend hours in the company of a writer as gifted as David Epstein.
And the joy is all the greater when that writer shares so much crucial and
revelatory information about performance, success, and education.” — Susan
Cain, author of Quiet

“For too long, we’ve believed in a single path to excellence. Start early,
specialize soon, narrow your focus, aim for efficiency. But in this
groundbreaking book, David Epstein shows that in most domains, the way to
excel is something altogether different. Sample widely, gain a breadth of
experiences, take detours, and experiment relentlessly. Epstein is a deft writer,
equally nimble at telling a great story and unpacking complicated science.
And Range is an urgent and important book, an essential read for bosses,
parents, coaches, and anyone who cares about improving performance.” —
Daniel H. Pink, author of When, Drive, and A Whole New Mind

“In a world that’s increasingly obsessed with specialization, star science writer
David Epstein is here to convince you that the future may belong to
generalists. It’s a captivating read that will leave you questioning the next steps
in your career—and the way you raise your children.” —Adam Grant, author
 of Give and Take and Originals

“Range is a blueprint for a more thoughtful, collaborative world – and it’s also
really fun to read.” —NPR, Best Books of 2019

“I want to give Range to any kid who is being forced to take violin lessons—but
really wants to learn the drums; to any programmer who secretly dreams of
becoming a psychologist; to everyone who wants humans to thrive in an age of
robots. Range is full of surprises and hope, a 21st century survival guide.” —
Amanda Ripley, author of The Smartest Kids in the World.

“An assiduously researched and accessible argument for being a jack of all
trades.” —O Magazine, Best Nonfiction Books Coming in 2019

“Range elevates Epstein to one of the very best science writers at work today.
The scope of the book—and the implications—are breathtaking. I find myself
applying what I've learned to almost every aspect of my life.” —Sebastian
Junger, author of Tribe, War, and The Perfect Storm

“A goldmine of surprising insights. Makes you smarter with every page.” —

James Clear, New York Times best-selling author of Atomic Habits

“Range will force you to rethink the nature of learning, thinking, and being, and
reconsider what you thought you knew about optimal education and career
paths—and how and why the most successful people in the world do what they
do. It's one of the most thought-provoking and enlightening books I've read.” —
Maria Konnikova, author of Mastermind and The Confidence
Game, professional poker player

“A fresh, brisk look at creativity, learning, and the meaning of achievement.” —

Kirkus Reviews

“Brilliant, timely, and utterly impossible to put down. If you care about
improving skill, innovation, and performance, you need to read this book. ” —
Daniel Coyle, author of The Culture Code and The Talent Code

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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, DC.