bookph1le's review against another edition

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5.0

Very thought-provoking and interesting. It made me think a lot about how I approach things as a parent, but it also made me look at my attitude about my own life and successes and it helped shape new thoughts about both areas.

queen_perfection's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

shareen17's review against another edition

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4.0

This book balances a great deal of current research in education and learning with real life examples. There are a lot of nonfiction books where after reading a book review or two, I don't feel like I need to read the actual book as all the main points have already been covered. That's not the case here. This book is pretty dense with information. I wish it could have done more in answering some of the difficult problems of how we help children acquire character skills they need, but the author is probably limited by the current research.

cpweiden's review against another edition

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5.0

Yes. Yes. Yes. To this book.

katelucien's review against another edition

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5.0

Compelling and exceptionally well-written.

newdayvow's review against another edition

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4.0

Interesting, thought provoking, and engaging

lanica's review against another edition

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4.0

If you are a teacher, read this book.

We read it as a school and discussed it in small groups at the end of every staff meeting. Eye opening discussions and great team-building. I've also heard him speak, which is very informative. Search his TED talks and you tube...it's worth it.

I'm not saying I agree with every aspect of it, nor that he is an absolute authority on the subject of education. I'm saying there are some great conversations that can be had around the ideas he brings up in this book.

cindyjac's review against another edition

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5.0

This well researched, engaging book should be required reading for every educator. I know I will immediately apply what I've learned; it connects beautifully with the ideas of Carol Dweck regarding mindset. My favorite quote: "....not just their intelligence and their character but their very destinies were malleable."

sarahanne8382's review against another edition

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5.0

What a great conversation starter! Tough covers case studies and larger groups of research on what it takes for people to succeed in various aspects of life. Most of this ends up focusing on the education system and how those in extreme poverty are have an especially hard time succeeding.

I could go on about my take on the story Tough tells, but I think that's just proof of how engaging the whole thing is.

spitzig's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm reading this because I have a one-year old. This book is about much older kids.

This book had an interesting premise. It seemed to spend a lot of time proving the thesis. I'd have liked more expansion on the idea.