Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success

For the first few dozen pages Matthew Syed's book about "the science of success" feels derivative, with numerous quotes from Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers and its rehashing of the other author's "ten-thousand hour practice" rule. Syed also goes on to advocate strongly for nurture as opposed to nature, poking holes in the notions of innate talent and child prodigies, arguments very similar to Gladwell's.Still, if one sticks with it, "Bounce" gains interest as it goes on: Syed points out that failure is not to be avoided, but is actually necessary for eventual success at a difficult endeavor; stretching one's boundaries and increasing one's abilities requires "purposeful practice," not just mechanical repetition of already learned skills. Along the way he also touches upon, in the chapter "Mysterious Sparks," Gladwell's "tipping point" concept, the placebo effect, superstition, and the (mistaken) idea that certain ethnic groups are innately superior in athletic ability. His discussion of "choking," anchored by a painfully self-revelatory description of his own worst choke as a champion table tennis player, is more succinct, and I think more useful, than Sian Beilock's entire recent book on the subject. The welter of topics that Syed touches upon makes for a rather scattered effect at times, as if the book were a collection of blog or journal articles welded together; yet his intelligence and his talent for choosing vivid examples makes "Bounce" a consistently entertaining and thought-provoking reading experience.

While the book is thoroughly entertaining and packed with fascinating facts, it requires a suspension of disbelief. By the end, Syed also gets overhis head, attempting to turn the undeniable black athletic talent based on a pernicious racial prejudice not supported by science. Blacks are successful in sports because a racist society denies their advancement in any other area, he states. Yet, even in the last chapter, he swings from Eastern Africa, where a small area seems to have an unusually large number of champion long-distance runners, to West Africa and Jamaica where the short distance and sprinter talent is noticeable. Oh, yes, there is a gene, but everybody has the same gene. So what now?I think he is going way overboard with the notion that genetics has nothing to do with any success; it is more of a lucky combination of thousands of hours of purposeful practice with a great coach, under the right circumstances, and a useful feedback loop. The nature argument is seemingly destroyed by the nurture argument. But, he seems to try too hard.For example, how many short champion swimmers are out there? How many tall jockeys? How many tall motorcycle racers? Just the genetic distribution of fast and slow-twitch muscle fibers have an immense impact on the type of success and athlete could achieve in different areas. Then there is the rich culture and advanced schooling of young Russian chess players. If anything, this symbolizes everything Syed advocates sans doping. Yet, the world champion is a Norwegian without any unique background or specific training like the Polgar sisters. Before him, it was an Indian player, also without any significant training infrastructure.So enjoy the read, but know that genetics still matters.

I can't tell you the impact this book has had on giving me perspective on my own development and training as a tennis player. It has allowed me to see that the process wasn't as random as I had thought; that the hard work; delay of gratification and attention to detail allowed me to see things that other tennis players didn't simply because I employed 'purposeful practice' at every and all moments I was involved in the sport.This book goes into great detail about how a work ethic, allows ANYONE the opportunity to succeed by dispelling so many myths on why players, musicians, athletes, people in all sorts of industry become successful.Just loved his analysis referring to countless studies and real life examples of Earl and Tiger Woods, Mozart and his father, David Beckham and his work ethic. the wonders of the Polgar Sisters in chess.And the one common thread that one and all had to success?Read the book and find out for yourself. You won't be disappointed. And you might even find out something about yourself in the process.A wonderful read by a columnist for The Times (London); commentator for the BBC; a graduate of Oxford University and a two-time Olympian.

Mr. Syed combines his experience as a professional sportsman and his journalistic flair to produce a wonderful read. In fact, I only regret not getting to it sooner!The book raises an interesting debate on nature v nurture, where recent recent scientific thinking seems to lean towards the former. However, if we assume that most of us will not end up being the Einstein or Williams of our profession, I think Mr. Syed raises a simple yet profound question: What is “deliberate practice” in your job?

"Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice" by Matthew Syed is a captivating journey into the world of achievement and excellence. This book has left an indelible mark on my perspective, reshaping the way I view success, practice, and the true potential within each of us.Syed's exploration of the concept that talent is not an innate gift, but rather a result of purposeful, deliberate practice, is nothing short of revolutionary. He takes us on an exhilarating ride through the stories of individuals who have scaled unimaginable heights, showcasing that even the most exceptional talents are honed through dedicated effort.What truly captivates is Syed's ability to demystify greatness, making it accessible to every reader. The book's pages brim with anecdotes, research, and insights that compel us to rethink our notions of achievement. It tears down the pedestal upon which we've placed the idea of natural talent, replacing it with a refreshing belief in the limitless potential that comes from consistent, focused practice.As I turned the pages, I felt a surge of motivation and empowerment. The tales of athletes, musicians, and individuals from various fields who've risen through determination resonated deeply. Syed's writing style, a blend of engaging storytelling and thought-provoking analysis, held my attention from start to finish."Bounce" is not just a book; it's a wake-up call to embrace our potential and shatter the self-imposed limits that have held us back. It encourages us to step onto the path of deliberate practice, unleashing our inner capacities and crafting our own journey towards excellence.In conclusion, "Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice" is a triumphant ode to human potential. Matthew Syed's words are a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where greatness is within our reach. If you're seeking a read that will both inspire and challenge you, this book is an absolute must-read.

This book talks about the now familiar 10000hour rule but gives it a timespan of 10 years. When you are in the right place with right opportunities and you can have 10000hours of focused practice as he calls it, you will be world class-athlete,scholar,musician whatever.. it’s more for parents to read understand and possibly try it with their kids.

Rapido en llegar. Excelente libro.

I currently find myself grinding for success and this is definitely a great book to read, one which will push up to dont stop working.

Ho trovato il libro avvincente, istruttivo ed utile. Penso che potrebbe essere un libro di testo nelle scuole e che la sua conoscenza potrebbe indurre molti giovani ad impegnarsi di più e meglio.