The Sports Gene

Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

By: David Epstein

Narrated by: David Epstein

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

"In high school, I wondered whether the Jamaican Americans who made our track team so successful might carry some special speed gene from their tiny island. In college, I ran against Kenyans, and wondered whether endurance genes might have traveled with them from East Africa. At the same time, I began to notice that a training group on my team could consist of five men who run next to one another, stride for stride, day after day, and nonetheless turn out five entirely different runners. How could this be?"

We all knew a star athlete in high school. The one who made it look so easy. He was the starting quarterback and shortstop; she was the all-state point guard and high-jumper. Naturals. Or were they? The debate is as old as physical competition. Are stars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams genetic freaks put on Earth to dominate their respective sports? Or are they simply normal people who overcame their biological limits through sheer force of will and obsessive training?

The truth is far messier than a simple dichotomy between nature and nurture. In the decade since the sequencing of the human genome, researchers have slowly begun to uncover how the relationship between biological endowments and a competitor’s training environment affects athleticism. Sports scientists have gradually entered the era of modern genetic research. In this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success, Sports Illustrated senior writer David Epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving this great riddle.

©2013 David Epstein (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"Step by surprising step, David Epstein takes our hand, grips our mind, and leads us deeper and deeper into the fascinating jungle of sports and genetics... until we finally begin to see the miracle we've been watching in our stadiums and on our TV screens all our lives.” (Gary Smith, Sports Illustrated writer and four-time National Magazine Award winner)

Love it

Great book to listen to after listening to Outliers, listen to both and figure out what works for you in whatever it is you're going for.

Good

Excellent story. Interesting, well paced informative. Major fail on the voice accents, truly annoying especially if you have heard those individuals speak. But still highly recommend overall.

A thorough look at what makes an athlete.

I really enjoyed the content but wished that the narrator would stop using accents what quoting. Any accent that wasn't North American was cringe worthy.

Very thoroughly researched and well written

I loved listening to this break-down of athletes and their performances and what might be the reason they are so good. Is it personal drive, determination and work ethic or were they just born with ability. Actually the answer is yes...

Illuminating, Informative, Entertaining, Empowering

Epstein does a nice job balancing groundbreaking science with insight and intrigue. He keeps the humanity center stage throughout rather than drifting too far into beakers and vials. Highly recommend

Very exciting knowledge inside this book.

Narrator could have done without the accent impersonation, but great insightful and interesting book otherwise!

Wonderful book, BUT.

I loved this book so much. As an endurance runner and power lifter, it’s a gripping addition to the sports science library. BUT good lord! Who told Epstein to attempt accents? From his “girl voice” to his “every Australian is crocodile Dundee voice” it’s a truly awful performance at times. It doesn’t ruin the book, but Jesus god is it bad at times.

Fascinating book for a geriatrician to read

I found this book extremely interesting and thorough. As a practicing physician/geriatrician I frequently see the impact genetics has on longevity and other characteristics in my patients. I enjoyed reading about how much the science of genetics has evolved.

In two days listened to it. Wonderful

Loved it. Another point of view on athletic performance one that not a lot of people talk about. Really interesting and informative.

An amazing book.

An amazing book for all levels of athletes and coaches. I don't have a scientific background so sometimes got caught/lost trying to understand some of the in-depth studies. My suggestion is read it once cover to cover and then go back to the chapters that really caught your attention. For me it was the chapter on trainability. Enjoy. Trevor - HS middle distance T&F coach, Webster NY.