The Sports Gene

A wonderful book. Thoughtful... fascinating. -- Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers
Provides a powerful and convincing analysis of how genes influence all our lives, especially the careers of elite sportsmen * The Times *
A fascinating, thought-provoking look at the leading edge of sports performance, written by a guy who knows the territory. David, besides being a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, was a collegiate runner for Columbia University. More to the point, he’s a terrific researcher and a fine, thoughtful writer -- Dan Coyle, author of The Talent Code
Full credit to David Epstein, a Sports Illustrated journalist with a serious and deep knowledge of genetics and sports science, for his terrific and unblinking new book, The Sports Gene, a timely corrective to the talent-denial industry -- Ed Smith * New Statesman *
Endlessly fascinating -- John Harding * Daily Mail *
Epstein’s book does not try to simplify the argument, but it does provide a welcome corrective to those who have deliberately underplayed the notion that genetic make-up is irrelevant -- Mike Atherton * The Times *
David Epstein's illuminating synthesis of the latest research into the nature v nurture debate as applied to sport -- Simon Redfern * Independent *
Provoking spirited debate about the merits of the 10,000 hour rule -- Rick Broadbent * The Times *
An important book on the relative roles of genes and environment—nature and nurture—in the building of a professional athlete ... bound to put the cat among the pigeons * Wall Street Journal *
Captivating...fascinating...His answer to the questions “Nature or nurture?” is both. If that sounds like a hedge, it isn’t: instead, it’s a testament to the author’s close attention to nuance. * New York Times *