Peak

Secrets from the New Science of Expertise

By: Anders Ericsson, Robert Pool

Narrated by: Geoffrey Beevers

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 thirty 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.

Critic reviews

Most “important” books aren’t much fun to read. Most fun books aren’t very important. But with Peak, Anders Ericsson (with great work from Robert Pool) has hit the daily double. After all, who among us doesn’t want to learn how to get better at life? A remarkable distillation of a remarkable lifetime of work (Stephen J. Dubner, bestselling author of FREAKONOMICS)

Offer[s] an optimistic anti-determinism that ought to influence how people educate children, manage employees and spend their time.

This book is a breakthrough, a lyrical, powerful, science-based narrative that actually shows us how to get better (much better) at the things we care about. (Seth Godin, author of LINCHPIN)

The science of excellence can be divided into two eras: before Ericsson and after Ericsson. His groundbreaking work, captured in this brilliantly useful book, provides us with a blueprint for achieving the most important and life-changing work a person can achieve: to become a little bit better each day. (Daniel Coyle, bestselling author of THE TALENT CODE)

Ericsson's research has revolutionized how we think about human achievement. He has found that what separates the best of us from the rest is not innate talent but simply the right kind of training and practice. If everyone would take the lessons of this book to heart, it could truly change the world. (Joshua Foer, bestselling author of MOONWALKING WITH EINSTEIN)

An invaluable exploration into the details of what makes the difference between simply going through the motions (for 10,000 hours!) and practising to reap significant improvement. A thought-provoking and extremely useful book. (Harriet Beveridge, author of WILL IT MAKE THE BOAT GO FASTER?)

His ultimate message is an uplifting, optimistic one and should be applauded. (Nick Rennison)

Invaluable. (David Didau)

The work of the academic psychologist Anders Ericsson has inspired half a dozen popular accounts of the relationship between talent and effort. This year, with the science writer Robert Pool, he produced a book of his own, Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise (Bodley Head), which may be the liveliest and clearest of the lot. (Leo Robson)

The clear style helps cast new light on a subject I thought I understood. I found his discussion of mental representations and the distinction between purposeful and deliberate practice especially illuminating

The best book.

Lets say that again: The best book ever.

Everyone should listen (or read) this book. Some of my all time favourites are Jared Diamond’s Collapse and Richard Dawkins’ Ancestor’s Tale. Peak is even better.

For anyone looking at learning how to learn

Recommended listening for those of us wanting to learn something new and how best to go about it.

Awesome

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

excellent

i loved the book, it's eye-opening, wonderfully narrated, full of valuable insights, practical and applicable, it talk about the most important skill - the skill od learning and aquiring expertise

Amazing all over

The narrator 5/5
The book 5/5
Really felt i learned a lot from this book.
Super exciting from start to end

Milestone

Throughly researched, well organized, and very convincing. K Anders Ericsson delivered a Milestone in Learning.

One of the most important books ever written

This book explains why talents are overrated and with deliberate practice, we can become an expert at anything. A life-changing book. Must-read for all.

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.

Awesome book

Would you consider the audio edition of Peak to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, so it's hard to say whether it's better or not.

What other book might you compare Peak to and why?

This can be compared to Outliers (though I haven't read that one yet). But I believe this is better than Malcolm Galdwell's book since it expands on the 10,000 hour rule

Which character – as performed by Geoffrey Beevers – was your favorite?

The narrator

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me really think about how I can improve myself or help my daughter become an expert!

Any additional comments?

Worth the listen. The narrator is great too. Loved it!

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.