READ THIS BOOK! In the past three years I have read over 300
books, the Sports Gene is one of the best books I have read in that time. David
Epstein not only nails the science but he tells compelling stores that bring
the science to life. He takes the complexities of genetics and makes it
comprehensible and applicable to the development of athletic performance. To me
the clear message is that it is not about nature or nature but it is how we can
best nurture nature. It raises many questions and offers some answers. In many
ways this reminded me of one of my favorite books “The Sweet Spot in Time” by
John Jerome written in 1980. At that time Jerome took the emerging field of
sport science and made the concepts comprehensible by telling good stores,
Epstein does the same. He offers great food for thought. It certainly puts the
10,000 hours “rule” in context and debunks some of the misapplied concepts in
Gladwell’s book “The Outliers.” This book is so good
that I have read it twice. This is a must read for coaches, parents, anyone
interested in the why’s of sport performance.
