Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
It is hard for me to rate this book: lots of the book is just autobiographical and it is stuffed with anecdotes and little stories. I was missing a more hands-down-approach to his ideas and concepts and I wasn't so much interested in the details of his Tai-Chi tournaments (e.g.). At times the book is very boring and lengthy.
However, the few ideas he described had actually some inpact on me and made me think. It even made me interested in chess!
I would definitely recommend this book, but with a warning to keep reading through the dull parts.
However, the few ideas he described had actually some inpact on me and made me think. It even made me interested in chess!
I would definitely recommend this book, but with a warning to keep reading through the dull parts.
Waitzkin has a tremendous amount of focus and drive and he applies it to his interests with such rigor that he's managed to become a world champion in both chess and a martial art. He breaks down the things that have distracted him, the things that have helped him focus in even harder, and the ways he approaches problems such that mere mortals such as ourselves might learn from them. It was a pretty cool story and I think there are some pretty strong takeaways.
Loved the parts about learning...but totally bored by the chess or martial arts play-by-plays.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book after my wife’s book club picked it and I have to admit I found it quite disappointing.
I was hoping for a series of learning tips and tricks but for me the book was about 60% autobiography, 30% tai chi advert and 10% on the art of competition. I say competition rather than learning because many of the techniques discussed were focused on sports or games like chess. There was very little on workplace learning (which is what I’d hoped for).
The audiobook also has an hour long interview with Josh at the end which I have to admit, although interesting seriously annoyed me. The interviewer was typing and clicking through nearly the whole interview and I’m convinced at one point he opened a food wrapper or something. I’d have been irritated if someone had behaved like that on a phone call but on a professional interview for an audiobook!? I’m surprised Josh didn’t hang up on him!
Overall easy listening and quite good but unless you’re particularly interested in chess or push hands it could feel like a big investment for what you learn. I’d have preferred a thirty minute podcast rather than an eight hour listen...
I was hoping for a series of learning tips and tricks but for me the book was about 60% autobiography, 30% tai chi advert and 10% on the art of competition. I say competition rather than learning because many of the techniques discussed were focused on sports or games like chess. There was very little on workplace learning (which is what I’d hoped for).
The audiobook also has an hour long interview with Josh at the end which I have to admit, although interesting seriously annoyed me. The interviewer was typing and clicking through nearly the whole interview and I’m convinced at one point he opened a food wrapper or something. I’d have been irritated if someone had behaved like that on a phone call but on a professional interview for an audiobook!? I’m surprised Josh didn’t hang up on him!
Overall easy listening and quite good but unless you’re particularly interested in chess or push hands it could feel like a big investment for what you learn. I’d have preferred a thirty minute podcast rather than an eight hour listen...