★★★★☆
“..a mind kept wide open will take something new from every experience.”
David Epstein, Range
From music to sports to medicine, our society glorifies those who ultra-specialize in a field and celebrates them as smarter or more talented than others. We tend to believe a wrist surgeon is better and more qualified to operate on our carpal tunnel than a general surgeon. Using data and the personal stories of musicians and athletes, such as Tiger Woods, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein tackles why this conventional wisdom isn’t necessarily true. In fact, the book argues our greatest strength as humans “is the exact opposite of narrow specialization. It is the ability to integrate broadly.”
I enjoyed this book and its wide-ranging examples and anecdotes. I particularly enjoyed the wisdom it offered about learning and the signs indicating whether or not we are learning. The book encourages readers to actively stay open to learning and keep trying new things, and emphasizes the benefits of self-discovery.
“Learning stuff [is] less important than learning about oneself. Exploration is not just a whimsical luxury of education; it is a central benefit,” Epstein states. As a lifelong learner, I appreciate these messages.
Range also reminds us it is normal to get discouraged when learning a new subject but that these feelings are actually a sign of progress. “Frustration is not a sign you are not learning, but ease is,” Epstein writes. I needed this message when I was struggling to learn new editing techniques and wondering if I was even capable of learning them. A professional landscape photographer friend shared this quote – and several others from the book with me – which led me to read the book in its entirety.
Overall, this was a fascinating read full of interesting nuggets and highlight-worthy passages. I recommend it for non-fiction readers who enjoy learning about how the human mind works.
Visit my Non-Fiction category to read more non-fiction book reviews.