The Art of Learning

An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance

By: Josh Waitzkin

Narrated by: Josh Waitzkin

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Josh Waitzkin knows what it means to be at the top of his game. A public figure since winning his first National Chess Championship at the age of nine, Waitzkin was catapulted into a media whirlwind as a teenager when his father's book Searching for Bobby Fischer was made into a major motion picture. After dominating the scholastic chess world for ten years, Waitzkin expanded his horizons, taking on the martial art Tai Chi Chuan and ultimately earning the title of World Champion. How was he able to reach the pinnacle of two disciplines that on the surface seem so different? "I've come to realize that what I am best at is not Tai Chi, and it is not chess," he says. "What I am best at is the art of learning."

The Art of Learning takes listeners through Waitzkin's unique journey to excellence. He explains in clear detail how a well-thought-out, principled approach to learning is what separates success from failure. Waitzkin believes that achievement, even at the championship level, is a function of a lifestyle that fuels a creative, resilient growth process. Rather than focusing on climactic wins, Waitzkin reveals the inner workings of his everyday method, from systematically triggering intuitive breakthroughs, to honing techniques into states of remarkable potency, to mastering the art of performance psychology.

In stories ranging from his early years taking on chess hustlers as a seven year old in New York City's Washington Square Park, to dealing with the pressures of having a film made about his life, to International Chess Championships in India, Hungary, and Brazil, to gripping battles against powerhouse fighters in Taiwan in the Push Hands World Championships, The Art of Learning encapsulates an extraordinary competitor's life lessons in a pause-resisting narrative.

©2007 Josh Waitzkin LLC (P)2014 Tim Ferriss

Exciting , informative , great stories, even spiritual quality with general life advice

It's hard to find a story as fun and exciting as this one . I have enjoyed the authors chess tutoring in Chessmaster because his passion for chess comes out in his teaching . In five minutes of listening , I was hooked . One of my favorite things I love about this audio , is that it's not just a story of someone's life but rather a teaching of the lessons in life and the multiple dimensions that can be learned by increasing ones skill of observation and feedback to work on one's weaknesses as well as strengthening one's strengths.

Listen to the sample of this audio and see if this audioresonates for you.

My highest recommendation and congratulations to Josh for a job well done and becoming a best-selling author , champion push hands , and Chessmaster .

I look forward to his next audio as long as he reads it , I'll buy it .

Great book on human potential

Gets you in the mind of a top performer in a story taht blends his wisdom and love for life and sports

Key to success in life

Josh has really figured out how to be excellent at anything that he sets his mind to. This is an excellent skill for those that wish to excel. I loved hearing his testimonial, however I wish that he would have referenced throughout how others can apply the same principles to other careers and skills. I'm not asking for a laundry list, but a more definitive course of action and emphasizing some key philosophies would have been been nice.

Loved it! But do not expect a checklist of advice

Would you listen to The Art of Learning again? Why?

I would definetely listen to the book again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Art of Learning?

The narration was flawless. From the memoirs of being a chess player and then a Tai Chi champion.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from The Art of Learning?

Incremental learning is a way of living.

Any additional comments?

The book inspires anyone to take a deep dive into chess and martial arts, specially Tai Chi. It talks about the power of learning and how it is done in incremental stages, up until you can become the best in the world.

Loved it!

I loved this book! The Tim Ferris podcast episode at the end was awesome also!

brilliant

One of the best books I ever read / listened to. If you want to be a high performer, you have to read this book.

literally my favourite book

One of the best books if achieving optimal performance is what you're looking for. My man literally goes into such details about his life and is so nig brained about the topics he talks about and is so eye opening.

Best Book I've Listened to on Audible

Loved it. It spoke to me on so many levels. His way with words and his understanding of his own success is remarkable and inspiring.

Interesting concepts and ideas...

While I enjoyed the book and its concepts and ideas, the story didn't quite get there for me.

Waitzkin gave a great read.

One of best books on learning

Loved the way Josh Waitzkin tells his life experiences on learning and moving forward in life. Telling it from his own experience, the content is elaborate, simple, and priceless when it comes to the value of proper learning, focus, passion, and meditation in life.