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Peak  By  cover art

Peak

By: Robert Pool, Anders Ericsson
Narrated by: Geoffrey Beevers
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Publisher's summary

Mozart wasn't born with perfect pitch. Most athletes are not born with any natural advantage. Three world-class chess players were sisters whose success was planned by their parents before they were even born.

Anders Ericsson has spent 30 years studying the special ones - the geniuses, sports stars and musical prodigies. And his remarkable finding, revealed in Peak, is that their special abilities are acquired through training. The innate 'gift' of talent is a myth. Exceptional individuals are born with just one unique ability, shared by us all - the ability to develop our brains and bodies through our own efforts.

Anders Ericsson's research was the inspiration for the popular '10,000-hour rule', but, he tells us, this rule is only the beginning of the story. It's not just the hours that are important but how you use them. We all have the seeds of excellence within us - it's merely a question of how to make them grow.

With a bit of guidance, you'll be amazed at what the average person can achieve. The astonishing stories in Peak prove that potential is what you make it.

©2016 Anders Ericsson (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about Peak

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disappointing

This book is far too long for it's content. At some point it just gets kind of tedious to listen to as it tries too explain the same point as before in an almost identical way without using any kind of refreshing anecdotes. The book basically stresses two points. One: you are not born with skill or talent so anyone can gain equal expertise. Two: deliberate practice is the way to achieve it. Here deliberate practice is what is sounds like: practicing with the goal to improve with clear feedback. If you accept these two points there is little left to gain from reading this book.

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Haven't found the secrets yet.

What was most disappointing about Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool ’s story?

This book was sold as a scroll of truth - the secrets for how to do deliberate practice. I've gotten a couple of hours into it now, and all I can see are success stories. Stories claiming that deliberate practice works, and why deliberate practice is more impactful than you might think. This is fine and for the first 30-60 minutes I really enjoyed it. But I only enjoyed it because I thought they were a pretext for the wisdom to come. How do you set up a deliberate practice session?What are the experiences of a seasoned practitioner?What are the pitfalls? What are the areas that really gives a return on your investment of time, sweat and effort?But nothing so far.I'm returning the book. A huge disappointment from someone that probably had a lot of experience to share.

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3 people found this helpful

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Awesome

This is one of the books which gives hope that you still can improve even you are old.

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Life changing

I loved it. I've been applying deliberate practice without knowing it in some fields, and it definitely is the best definitive way to learn stuff. Now that I consciously know about it, I've started applying it with (already) great results.
This book has really the potential to change the lens through which you see the world and I've found it greatly motivating to say the least.
The narrator is also amazing and has made the whole experience very pleasurable.

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A life changing book

There are too many books out there to read in a lifetime. Everyone should find the time to read this book.

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Excellent subject matter, great book

This book is a must read for anyone interested in learning how to learn. Especially recommend this title for parents.

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Great insights and grand plans

Great narrator, science backed information and visions for the future. I recommend it to anyone wishing to better themselves and the ones around them.

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This book will give you an open mindset

Hard Work beats talent all the time. The best is the people that practiced the most. But the right way to deliberate practice. Everyone can become good at math, chess, code. Only your belief can stop you.

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Ey is a 9 of the most important 666 in the opener

High Performance is not the result of innate talent, but of deliberate practice.
Full of stories and evidence that makes this a wonderful listening experience 55 the most important . É um

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

It's an OK book

I already knew about this so I didn't get anything revolutionary or anything like that

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