The sports gene
by David J. Epstein · first published 2013
53% recommend47% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Explores how genetics and environment shape athletic performance, mixing research with engaging stories about elite athletes; suits readers curious about talent versus practice in sport.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
This book explores the roles of both genetics and training in athletic success, arguing that both are equally necessary components of athletic achievement while considering such topics as race, gender, and genetic testing.We all knew a star athlete in high school. The one who made it look so easy. He was the starting quarterback and shortstop; she was the all-state point guard and high-jumper. Naturals. Or were they? The debate is as old as physical competition. Are stars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams genetic freaks put on Earth to dominate their respective sports? Or ar
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…Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin * The Actor’s Life: A survival guide by Jenna Fischer * The Interstellar Age: The Story of the NASA Men and Women Who Flew the Forty-Year Voyager Mission by Jim Bell * The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance by David Epstein * Uncommon People: The Rise and Fall of the Rock Stars 1955-1994 by David Hepworth * Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of…
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗…discussion of shame culture, its effects on people, and how to combat it - pretty good book about a topic that doesn't get raised often enough, even if I don't agree with everything the author says. The Sports Gene by David Epstein - how genetics may affect sport performance (and not only that); a bit of a counterpoint to Gladwell's Outliers - probably my favorite book this year. The Martian by Andy Weir - a guy…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗Read Sports Gene by David Epstein. He discusses a lot of the genetics vs. developing one's body specifically for a sport, with a large focus on distance running.
on “Roger Bannister has died” ↗…Why Things Are Better Than You Think - by Hans Rosling. Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, 1921-1933 - by Anne Applebaum. Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction by Phillip Tetlock. The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance by David Epstein.
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗A book that I thoroughly enjoyed, "The Sports Gene" by David Epstein, he goes into how being a workaholic has been shown to be a genetic trait. As someone who apparently doesn't have the gene, I look at people like Kobe and can just shake my head and…
on “John McAfee AMA” ↗"The Sports Gene" [1] is an excellent book on this topic backed up by not only research but entertaining stories as well. It has a section about Dan but also has stories about a world champion high jumper who dedicated…
on “An Average Guy Who Spent 6,000 Hours Trying to Be a Professional Golfer” ↗For anyone interested in the innate talent vs practice in sports I recommend the book 'The Sports Gene' (spoiler: genes play a huge role).
on “The 10,000 Hour Rule Is Not Real” ↗Currently working my way through all the Dean Koontz books. Also recently read the Sports Gene which was good.
on “Ask HN: What is HN reading?” ↗…than others?" questions could just come down to mix of inheriting that trait and/or living in an environment that fosters the development and growth that trait. There is an interesting book called "The Sports Gene" that has a section that talks about how someone bred sled dogs based on their "grit" characteristic and was able to be a successful dog sledder because of it. Also that book is also a great read about…
on “Why Do Some Poor Kids Thrive?” ↗If you want to explore that topic more, check out "The Sports Gene." Spoiler alert: it comes to a similar conclusion. It's one of the best books I've read though!
on “Stephen King: Can a Novelist Be Too Productive? (2015)” ↗…and professional sports where larger pools of participants has resulted in a higher frequency of genetic outliers gravitating towards the sport for which their body is best suited. David Epstein's "The Sports Gene" covers this topic with some depth. Many people are brilliant, talented, and have a strong desire to win but lack the physical aptitude to support that at elite levels of play.
on “Ways to maximize your cognitive potential” ↗…structure, certain hormone profile that favours some activites over others, etc. - we want to believe that genes don't play a role. Besides, the role of the genes can also be a second order effect. The book Sports Gene by David Eppstein tells a story of sled racing dogs that were bred for motivation to run (apparently it can be bred). Naturally dogs that like running also want to train more and become better at it.…
on “The Problems with Deliberate Practice (2020)” ↗One of the most interesting things I've read (or listened to) about expertise is a podcast interview with the author of The Sports Gene[0]. > So in my second chapter I sort of tell a story I call the 'Tale of Two High Jumpers,' in which I sort of profile two high jumpers, one named Stefan Holm, who over the course of 20 years--and by…
on “The Expert in a Year Challenge” ↗Not in professional sports, see http://www.amazon.com/Faster-Higher-Stronger-Generation-Supe... or http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Gene-Extraordinary-Athletic-Per... (similar ideas in both books)
on “How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? Talent (2014)” ↗David Epstein kind of makes this point in The Sports Gene. We think modern training and diets make us better athletes then our ancestors, but really much of the progress on world record times have come from better tracks and shoes.
on “Ultra marathon runner earns awards for both first place woman and overall winner” ↗