a book
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
David J. Epstein · 2019 · 352 pages
The #1 New York Times bestseller that has all America talking: as seen/heard on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, Morning Joe, CBS This Morning, The Bill Simmons Podcast, Rich Roll, and more.
“The most important business—and parenting—book of the year.” —Forbes
“Urgent and important. . . an essential read for bosses, parents, coaches, and anyone who cares about improving performance.” —Daniel H. Pink
Shortlisted for the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award
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.
“The most important business—and parenting—book of the year.” —Forbes
“Urgent and important. . . an essential read for bosses, parents, coaches, and anyone who cares about improving performance.” —Daniel H. Pink
Shortlisted for the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award
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.
recommended by 39 people
sourced from public statements
Bill Gates
“I started following Epstein’s work after watching his fantastic 2014 TED talk on sports performance. In this fascinating book, he argues that although the world seems to demand more and more specialization—in your career, for example—what we actually need is more people “who start broad and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives while they progress.” His examples run from Roger Federer to Charles Darwin to Cold War-era experts on Soviet affairs. I think his ideas even help explain some of Microsoft’s success, because we hired people who had real breadth within their field and across domains. If you’re a generalist who has ever felt overshadowed by your specialist colleagues, this book is for you.”↗
Vinod Khosla
“Discovers that in most fields , generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. Every high school and college student should read it.”↗
Ryan Holiday
“The most recommended book of the year that makes a convincing case for the benefits of generalization and experimentation early in one's career and life.”↗
Patrick Bet-David
“@AdeshraNikunj Excellent book. He made a great argument on how different people in by taking different approaches.”↗
James Clear
“"Looking for a book that makes you smarter with every page? @DavidEpstein's new book, Range, is out today. It's smart, scientifically-backed, and a fantastic complement to Atomic Habits. (His first book, The Sports Gene, was also top notch.) Grab it: https://t.co/ZFeiTpbBJ2"”↗
Peter Attia
“"Awesome discussion with David Epstein (TW: davidepstein) today discussing his two very cool books: Range and The Sports Gene. In case you’re wondering… Topo Chico was consumed (just not captured in picture!) https://t.co/uFUHQ0AoRv"”↗
Austin Kleon
“This is a contemporary classic. Ryan Holiday sold it to me as a parenting book in disguise, a call to give kids the space and time to stretch out and try a lot of different things before they specialize. (The book was written before David became a father, but the afterword for the paperback edition was written after.)”↗
Kunal Shah
“"After a mental block of not being able to read a book properly for 2 years, got started on this one after several recommendations and now can’t stop reading."”↗
Kelly Vaughn
“@isvictoriousss @DavidEpstein REALLY good book!”↗
J Wolfgang Goerlich
“@wendynather @Bosefina I read Range back in March while on vacation. Excellent book, filled with relevant stories, that spoke to value of generalists in connecting the dots. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, would recommend.”↗
Scott Kupor
“Great line from the new book (Range) by @DavidEpstein: "Compare yourself to yourself yesterday, not to younger people who aren't you."”↗
Bob Sutton
“I am re-reading @DavidEpstein's wonderful book "Range" and was reminded of Karl Weick's argument that "Generalists should be the the upbeat, positive people in the profession while specialists should be their grouchy, negative counterparts." Here's Karl's complete quote”↗
Ben Falk
“One of the best books I’ve read in a while: Range by @DavidEpstein. It’s the kind of book that actually changes how you think about the world.”↗
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