Think Like a Rocket Scientist

Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life

By: Ozan Varol

Narrated by: Ozan Varol

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

One of Inc.com’s “Six Books You Need to Read in 2020 (According to Bill Gates, Satya Nadella, and Adam Grant)”

Adam Grant’s number one pick of his top 20 books of 2020

One of Six Groundbreaking Books of Spring 2020 (according to Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Dan Pink, and Adam Grant).

A former rocket scientist reveals the habits, ideas, and strategies that will empower you to turn the seemingly impossible into the possible.

Rocket science is often celebrated as the ultimate triumph of technology. But it's not. Rather, it's the apex of a certain thought process - a way to imagine the unimaginable and solve the unsolvable. It's the same thought process that enabled Neil Armstrong to take his giant leap for mankind, that allows spacecraft to travel millions of miles through outer space and land on a precise spot, and that brings us closer to colonizing other planets. 

Fortunately, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to think like one. 

In this accessible and practical book, Ozan Varol reveals nine simple strategies from rocket science that you can use to make your own giant leaps in work and life - whether it's landing your dream job, accelerating your business, learning a new skill, or creating the next breakthrough product. Today, thinking like a rocket scientist is a necessity. We all encounter complex and unfamiliar problems in our lives. Those who can tackle these problems - without clear guidelines and with the clock ticking - enjoy an extraordinary advantage. 

Think Like a Rocket Scientist will inspire you to take your own moonshot and enable you to achieve liftoff.

©2020 Ozan Varol (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"Thinking like a rocket scientist is not rocket science! Packed with witty writing, insightful advice, and invigorating stories, this must-read book will change the way you see the world--and empower you to change the world itself." (Susan Cain, New York Times best-selling author of Quiet)

"You're smarter than you think. Ozan Varol makes a compelling case for each of us to level up and to contribute at a level we've talked ourselves out of." (Seth Godin, New York Times best-selling author of This Is Marketing

"This is not just an engrossing read--it's bursting with practical insights. Ozan Varol's dazzling debut might change how you approach problems. Houston, this book has solutions." (Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the TED podcast WorkLife)

Incrementally new perspectives on rehashed themes

Not sure why I allowed myself to hope for expert insights from a non-expert "rocket scientist" relating "rocket science" to work and life. The book is just a rehash of many of the same buzz-worthy behavioral psychology / economics concepts told by so many authors these days. But it is told in such a way as to be somewhat awkward because of Varol's lack of expertise in rocket science.

Varol's perspective is somewhat unique, I'll give him that; and his delivery of the message was great. But I was hoping for more meat in the connections to "rocket science".

If you're new to these types of pop-psych books that seem to have flooded the market, then this is not a bad one to start from. Otherwise, look to other books by actual experts in the field of the main title.

Excellent Content Conveyed by Weak Performance

I don’t often write reviews even though I listen to a lot of audiobooks. However, the stark difference between the quality of the content and the weakness of the performance motivated me to inform others who are thinking of buying this book. For some reason, the narrator has the distracting habit of dropping his enunciation and volume at the end of sentences. Accordingly, I would lose the author’s intended message on numerous occasions. I really don’t understand how this was approved for publication, but I am not familiar with the quality control process.

Great book, terrible narration!

I love the book, unfortunately I could not listen to the narrator. Writers should write and let professional actors do the narration.

The book is perfect, poor audio quality on iPhone.

Author explains way of thinking which can be incorporated in any fields of life. Very nicely written/said and motivational, but ..

Poor audio quality
There is something wrong with the audio quality. There is “ssss” voice behind after every word. The same problem on desktop/iPhone. Pls fix the quality. The story itself is interesting.

On the other hand, when I hear it in my car, I do not recognize this audio quality issue.

3 ... 2 .... 1... Liftoff!!

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to think like one. In this new book, Ozan Varol provides a toolkit for making better decisions (and "giant leaps"!) even in the midst of a turbulent environment—like, you know, COVID-19.

What a timely book. I took lots of notes from the print version, and have now downloaded the audio to go back through it. After you do, you might be inspired to take your own moonshot.

Awesome

One of the best books I’ve listen to. It forces you to become better by seeing your flaws, and fixing them in a logical and humble, and sometimes difficult way. But the end result is better and worth it.

Great listen and come with a great support.

I highly recommend this book! Even if you don't follow up, it worth having the information rattling around in your head. Relatable, truthful, worth it!

Great book if you are brave enough for change

This book is potentially life changing for a person that questions various aspects in one's life. As you listen to the great references and experiences of the past, It easily enables you to think of your own experiences and help define the problems you've been thinking about as well as help your mind develop solutions to be better!

Great set of principles for improving your life.

There are a couple of principles that really hit home with me. I work in software development, so the “Fly as you test” principle and the idea of always treating yourself as second best are my favorites. Returning to first principles is awesome too, and I hope to see a place to apply it to my work very soon. Thank you for bringing these ideas together in a way us civilians can use for our benefit.

Top pick

Ozan, has a unique skill at presenting complex intriguing ideas through entertaining true stories. His abilities encourage me to want to hear more.