A review by keith_button
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein

5.0

This is one of the most inspiring books I have read in recent memory. The basic thesis, that well-roundedness is often times more advantageous than being a tunnel-visioned expert, can be applied to almost any discipline. This immediately made me think of one of my favorite hockey personalities, Jeff Marek, who encourages his sons to play lacrosse at a young age in addition to hockey. The idea being that lacrosse encourages beginner athletes to keep their focus on the playing field instead of on the ground. Beginner hockey players, however, all have a tendency to look down at the puck due to the inherent challenge of stick-handling. By devoting energy to a different sport, lacrosse/hockey players can actually develop better hockey habits better than the hockey "specialists".

I found the chapter "learning to drop your familiar tools" especially motivating. The concept of constantly questioning our standards can enable us to see flaws and areas of potential improvement that might otherwise be blindspots. I also love the concept of researching ideas from a contrarian perspective--avoid the trap of confirmation bias by seeking out sources that contradict your current viewpoint. I would recommend this book to anyone.