How Life Imitates Chess

Making the Right Moves, from the Board to the Boardroom

By: Garry Kasparov

Narrated by: Garry Kasparov, Adam Grupper

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

How Life Imitates Chess is a primer on how to think, make decisions, prepare strategies, and anticipate the future. Kasparov has distilled the lessons he learned over a lifetime as a chess grandmaster to cover the practical side - tactics, strategy, preparation, as well as the subtler, more human arts of using memory, intuition, and imagination. It's a remarkably honest audiobook in which Kasparov, one of the world's most celebrated and successful competitors, details both his blunders and his victories, always with the intent to enable readers to absorb his lessons and do better for themselves.

©2007, 2008 Garry Kasparov (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic Reviews

"A business manual by the champion-turned-activist [is] a no-brainer. The book is serious, readable, and offer[s] real insight...engaging...Kasparov fans will find much to enjoy." ( Publishers Weekly)
"It's clear from this enjoyable offering that the champion's gifts are not confined to the chessboard and those same qualities are now to be employed at making the planet a more livable place." ( Chess Life)

Pretty Good...

but there isn't anything terribly new here for this genre of "self-help" book. This book is more interesting when Kasparov is using specific chess games or matches to make points (which he does most often and enough to merit "four stars" in this genre) and least so when he falls into the typical jargon which merely makes obvious points: "one must always know the potential payoff of any significant risk..." etc. etc. If you are a chess fan and aren't entirely jaded by the self-help genre, this is worth the time...

Wisdom from Real Life Under Pressure

Would you consider the audio edition of How Life Imitates Chess to be better than the print version?

Yes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How Life Imitates Chess?

Every chapter is a heart felt introspective and authentic glimpse into Kasparov's world of chess. His encouragement to challenge ourselves, focus on growth, never backing away from the unknown, taking responsibility for ourselves, for change, is inspiring. I have tremendous respect for Kasparov. Not only did I learn of a new realm to the game of chess, I learned tactical maneuvers to the game of life.

What about Garry Kasparov and Adam Grupper ’s performance did you like?

Listening to this audio book felt like sitting with a mentor who has lived through the challenges he was advising me to confront. The credentials of this man are humbling. I am in awe of Kasparov.

Adam Grupper's narrative voice was perfectly matched to Kasparov's no nonsense approach to growth. His tone, pacing, and inflection felt authentic. The quality of the recording was superb. No back ground noise. I look forward to listening to this audio book again and again. There are so many gems of wisdom. A true gem of Audio books!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Real Fear is in your Mind. Face it, own it, and Grow from it!

Great for Chess lovers

it's a self devlopment book that analyzes the thought processes of chess and compares it to real life situations. If you love chess and its history you will love this book.

fantastic life lessons

Garry Kasparov has a lot of fantastic stories and life lessons to share in this book. It really gets you to think about how you can analyze your own story and apply his helpful thoughts. Even for being 14 years old, it is still widely relevant. The voice actor took me a couple of chapters to get used to, but after that it was smooth sailing and easy listening. I finished the book in almost one full sitting.

Great Book

This book will bring you appreciationto chess and life.
Take your business to the battle field.

where is kasparov's voice?

the book is good, but I was expecting to hear Kasparov's voice, as promissed by the display. I will ask for another book, since this fact is kind of disapointing

Much better than I expected

This book was much better than I expected. I must read if you are a fan of Gary Kasparov. it had more to do with chess psychology and strategy than I expected which was good for me. I loved the chess world anecdotes and application for daily life.

A beautiful balance of chess and life

An amazing narrator tells the story of Gary’s chess life in conjunction with how life imitates the board of 64 squares, and how strategy is involved in everything we do. I’ve listened to this audio presentation twice and have majorly enjoyed the content, as well as absorbed a deal of wise information. It’s not the best book for “new tactics” per-say, but rather recognizing key approaches to a successful life.

Access to the powerful mind of Gary Kasparov

Great book, I highly recommend. Of the sizable library of business books I've consumed, this is one of the best.

Great book i really loved it

I would read and listen to it over and over again until it resonates. recommend to all.