Transcript for author tackles controversial aspect of sports, genes and ethnicity were going to turn to a book that all parents with kids that play sport. Michael shermer, the wall street journal this is the book ive been waiting for since the early 1960s. Author of a new book about genetics destroys malcolm gladwells 10,000hour rule. Aug 08, 20 david epstein, senior writer for sports illustrated, addresses questions about nature and nurture in the context of athletic success in his compelling new book, the sports gene. Being born with talent was the traditional answer, but like so many traditions, it is under attack. David epstein, senior writer for sports illustrated, addresses questions about nature and nurture in the context of athletic success in his compelling new book, the sports gene. In his new book the sports gene, david epstein investigates the role genetics plays in forming elite athletes. A primary challenge when attempting to describe the influence of genetic factors on athletic performance is its multifactorial nature. And david epstein is the author of the sports gene. The sports gene, on the science of athletic performance, by david epstein donald thomas was bragging to his pals on the college track team about his dunking skills on the basketball. Aug, 20 the books title misleads, since he forcefully argues that no single known gene is sufficient to ensure athletic success. It contains a strongly reasoned argument about the impact of genetics on sport that does not pander to tired biases.
In general terms we find that nature and nurture interact at every step of the way in the development of an elite athlete, and that biology. Richard moore on an illuminating book that challenges the notion that in sport, practice matters more than innate talent. The sports gene is bound to put the cat among the pigeons in the blankslate crowd who think that we can all be equal as long as we equalize environmental inputs such as practice. The sports gene provides a wonderful background to a future in which emerging technologies will bring the natureversusnurture debate into even sharper focus science i cant remember a book that has fascinated, educatedand provokedme as much as the sports gene.
Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance by david epstein the sports gene is an enjoyable book that shares the latest of modern genetic research as it relates to elite athleticism. Sports illustrated senior writer david epstein says scientists are learning a lot more about the role of genetics in athletic performance. The sports gene the new york times bestseller david. David epstein discusses the findings in his book, the sports gene, on gma. The sports gene considers the root of athletic success the new. Midway through the 1985 race across america, the 3,000mile nonstop transcontinental bicycle race in which i rode as a competitor, diana nyad of abcs wide world of sports inquired what i. Inside the science of extraordinary sports performance, how i would publish my views on the book, as it relates to the work that i do in my own gym with my. Are stars like usain bolt, michael phelps, and serena williams genetic freaks put on earth to dominate their respective sports. The sports gene introduction, i discussed the opening pages of senior sports illustrated writer, david epstein, the sports gene. Epstein presented both sides of the debate in his readable and balanced book. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In his fascinating book the sports gene, david epstein a senior writer for sports illustrated and a former college runner comes to a compelling if not surprising conclusion. A pro softball team challenges a pro baseball team to a softball game.
The new york times bestseller with a new afterword about early specialization in youth sports. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance from the worlds largest community of readers. I learned a whole bunch of stuff from it, but here i will. The gene, by siddhartha mukherjee the new york times. Jul 26, 2014 the science behind the worlds greatest athletes. The title implies that there may be a sports gene whatever that combination of words might mean, but the book is serious reportage of the interaction of some kinds of inherited characteristics presumably expressions of genes and training that seems to. If you have enjoyed this summary of david epsteins the sports gene. The sports gene explores the science of success only a. The questions i have had my whole life playing sports are explored in a way that is engaging and witty. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance or just have a thought, please feel free to leave a comment below. The sports gene, written for top athletes and just plain weekend duffers one of whom tests the bounds of all things human to try to become a pro golfer, is a story told elegantly and with david epsteins indefatigable powers of investigation. This book will help you see a little about which sports you might be physiologically welladapted for. The title implies that there may be a sports gene whatever that combination of words might mean, but the book is serious reportage of the interaction of some kinds of inherited characteristics presumably expressions of genes and training that seems to take advantage of them. Why generalists triumph in a specialized world, and of the bestseller the sports gene.
The sports gene is an enjoyable book that shares the latest of modern genetic research as it relates to elite athleticism. Though the narrative at times is heavy on data and a bit science based, for the most part, the book is enjoyable and reads like a story. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance by epstein, david and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. For my money, the sports genes strengths are twofold.
This book is subtitled inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance. People with the gene type x, however, cannot produce this protein. The sports gene takes a look at the physiological traits that are beneficial in various sports, and at their hereditary background. The sports gene discusses sudden deaths in sports, which, alarming news stories aside, largely isnt unexplained.
Oct 26, 2017 brand new platform download all of my affirmations here. Aug 05, 20 close overlay buy featured book title the sports gene subtitle inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance author david epstein. When we look at the science, thoughas sports writer david epstein does in his new book the sports gene. The sports gene posted on april 26, 2014 by lee brooks 3 comments the broad truth is that nature and nurture are so interlaced in any realm of athletic performance that the answer is always. Midway through the 1985 race across america, the 3,000mile nonstop transcontinental bicycle race in which i rode as a competitor, diana nyad of abcs wide world of sports inquired what i might. Sports gene author destroys gladwells 10,000hour rule. His stories conjure up vivid images for the reader while tracing a pretty consistent narrative in a book that could easily otherwise be all over the place. In his first book, sports illustrated senior writer epstein makes no secret of his debt to malcolm gladwells outliers 2008, in which the author famously argued that success owes less to inherited ability i. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance by david epstein. The urgencyand the challengeof connecting sports, race. The sports gene is a nonfiction book written by david epstein, at the time a senior writer for sports illustrated, on the effects of genetics and sports training on. Hyperspecialization makes it harder for kids to find the sport that is best suited. May 15, 2016 the gene an intimate history by siddhartha mukherjee 592 pp. The new york times bestseller with a new afterword about early specialization in youth sports by the author of range.
Inside the science of extraordinary sports performance, how i would publish my views on the book, as it relates to the work that i do in my own gym with my clients. That is what makes the sports gene such a worthy read. Available on kindle ebook and can be read on any device with the free. The sports gene became a new york times best seller and was nominated for the 2014 penespn award for literary sports writing. This genetic baseline physiology is the topic of david epsteins the sports gene. The sports gene and millions of other books are available for instant access. In the neverending quest to settle the debate of nature versus nature, david epstein takes the readers on a journey into sports. It just works out that way in the sports gene, a book born of an article in sports illustrated and inspired by the quest to understand the sudden death of a high school teammate, as epstein examines the complicated relationship between genetics and culture in sports a modern twist on the ageold nature versus nurture debate one dna test. I cant remember a book that has fascinated, educatedand provokedme as much as the sports gene. Endlessly fascinating john harding daily mail full credit to david epstein, a sports illustrated journalist with a serious and deep knowledge of genetics and sports science, for his terrific and unblinking new book, the sports gene, a timely corrective to the talentdenial industry ed smith new statesman a fascinating, thought. This book is an exploration of many of the factors that influence the performance of topflight athletes. The sports gene summary by david epstein four minute books.
In this episode i talk with david epstein, author of the sports gene. The publisher has supplied this book in encrypted form, which means that you need to install free software in order to unlock and read it. But away from the science, its just a must read for sports fans. This piece was adapted from david epsteins new book the sports gene. The sports gene is a nonfiction book written by david epstein, at the time a senior writer for sports illustrated, on the effects of genetics and sports training on human athleticism. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performancewe find that the story is much more complicated than this. Epstein has written a new book called the sports gene about the role of genetics in sports. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance is an intriguing book for anyone interested in the performance of the.
His research took him all over the world and he shares some of his discoveries with. Jan 01, 2009 finally, the possible application of gene therapy in athletes, gene doping and genetic testing of athletes are discussed. They have a deficiency in this protein, and are likely to display slightly lower muscle strength and poorer sprint performance, in comparison. The sport s g ene i s a nonfiction book written by david epstein, at the time a senior write r for s ports illustrated, on the effects of genet ics and sports training on human athleticism.
The earlier book includes stories about his own patients mukherjee was then an oncologist at massachusetts general hospital, now he is a staff physician at. I have had a long interest in mostly all sports, have participated in many, and refereed basketball for many years. Through investigative journalism, epstein takes the reader through his experiences regarding what makes the difference between an amateur and a proathlete. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance is a 20 nonfiction book by david epstein that investigates the role of genetics in athletics. Every sport has unique physical requirements and these requirements can be dramatically different between sports. The sports gene considers the root of athletic success. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance, in agreement with current, an imprint of penguin random house. The book is highly recommended to exercise scientists, sports clinicians, human geneticists, athletes, coaches and to all those interested in the relatively new area of genetic research within the fields of exercise science. It also examines why people in certain parts of the world have evolved in their particular way, and how this is beneficial in the realm of certain sports. In the sports gene, david epstein examines the role that biology plays in separating weekend warriors from elite athletes. Since then, countless dreamers have run with the idea.
We talk about the role that genetics play in athleticism. Epstein has changed forever the way we measure elite athletes and their achievements. The sports gene by david epstein 338 pages, 20 a summary introduction in search of sports genes imagine the genome all 23,000 or so regions of dna that contain genes as a 23,000page recipe book that resides at the centre of every human cell and provides direct instructions or genes for building proteins. The book details the many physical differences between men and women, including testosterone, which, when you add them all up, explain why unisex sport is. The sports gene inside the science of extraordinary. The book starts out with a fascinating, attentiongetting description of a challenge softball game. The urgencyand the challengeof connecting sports, race, and genetics.
Sports illustrated senior writer david epstein sought to tackle this question in his recent book, the sports gene. There have been 10 sudden deaths of division i college football players since 1974 caused by sickle cell trait. Why generalists triumph in a specialized world and the sports gene is composed by david epstein. While the books purpose is to push back against the widespread denial that genes matter, mr. The science behind the worlds greatest athletes mother jones. Superbabys story is one among a number of tales of athletic irregularity in the sports gene, a new book by david epstein, who holds a masters in environmental science but now covers the. Aug 26, 20 that is what makes the sports gene such a worthy read. Do elite athletes have innate gifts or can they be produced. Pink, bestselling author of when and drive its a joy to spend hours in the company of a writer as gifted as david epstein. Aug 07, 20 david epstein discusses the findings in his book, the sports gene, on gma. The new york times bestseller with a new afterword about early specialization in youth sports from the author of range.
In his new book, the sports gene, he looks at whether big. David epstein, who has written a new book called the sports gene, searches for answers about athletic ability and our genes. Aug 21, 20 the book is also available as an audio file from audible. The sports genebydavid epstein338 pages, 20 a summary introduction in search of sports genes imagine the genome all 23,000 or so regions of dna that contain genes as a 23,000page recipe book that resides at the centre of every human cell and provides direct instructions or genes for building proteins. The second sports gene is the gene ace, which contains the blueprint for the ace enzyme. This book will help you see a little about which sports you might be physiologically welladapted for, along with how much you can improve. Talent, practice and the truth about success by epstein, david isbn.
The sports gene the body sphere abc radio national. Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance. He has masters degrees in environmental science and journalism and has worked as an investigative reporter for propublica and a senior writer for sports illustrated. The sports gene range is an urgent and important book, an essential read for bosses, parents, coaches, and anyone who cares about improving performance.
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