The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

The New York Times bestseller - with a new afterword about early specialization in youth sports - from the author of Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.

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?

In this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success and the so-called 10,000-hour rule, David Epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving it. Through on-the-ground reporting from below the equator and above the Arctic Circle, revealing conversations with leading scientists and Olympic champions, and interviews with athletes who have rare genetic mutations or physical traits, Epstein forces us to rethink the very nature of athleticism.

Author: David Epstein
Publisher: Portfolio
Published: 04/29/2014
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.50w x 1.10d
ISBN13: 9781617230127
ISBN10: 161723012X
BISAC Categories:
- Sports & Recreation | Sports Psychology
- Science | Life Sciences | Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Health & Fitness | Exercise | General

About the Author
David Epstein is an award-winning investigative reporter at ProPublica, and was previously a senior writer at Sports Illustrated. He earned All-East honors on Columbia University's varsity track squad, and has a master's degree in environmental science.