The Genius of GeniusMarch 11, 2010 Aaron Eyler(Edison, NJ) 13 out of 17 found this review helpful
The following review is also available on my education blog at: [...]
On March 9th a book will be released that all educators should purchase so that they may be offered a glimpse into modern beliefs and research on genetics, IQ, and talent. The Genius in All of Us by David Shenk (@dshenk) does a nice job of explaining some very complex genetic theory in terms that anyone can understand. In addition, he offers information that should push us to think critically with regards to developing kids' cognitive abilities and pushing them to new heights.
One of my favorite points of the book is when he is discusses achievers vs. nonachievers with regards to their process. Here is an excerpt:
"Rather, nonachievers seem to be missing something in their process- one or more aspects of style of intensity of practice, or technique, or mindset, or response to failure."
He goes on to discuss deliberate practice and how it can make or break the success of an individual over time. It is this type of rational thinking and logic that will have any educator considering the implications that his knowledge and information can have on each of our classrooms.
Those that have an affinity for Malcolm Gladwell (10,000 hours discussed on page 57) or Daniel Pink (motivation is a theme throughout the book) will find Shenk's work to be a great addition to their knowledge and theories albeit more science-based.
I found Shenk's work to be the type of book that forces the reader to stop, think, and ponder every couple of pages. As an educator, there are too many circumstances to consider where his findings are relevant and will urge us to revisit what we do on an everyday basis in our classes.
Upon completing the "meat" of the text, the reader has the opportunity to read through the Sources, Notes, Clarifications, and Amplifications. Much of the information in this section is dense, but the beauty is that it affords the opportunity to investigate different parts of the text that are of particular interest to the reader.
As an educator, I am always curious about new research that will help me in understanding my students' minds and how to maximize their potential. Shenk's book will have you walking away feeling confident and reassured that none of our kids are destined to a life of mediocrity or servitude based on some heretical trait. All students can achieve greatness if we aid them in uncapping their potential.
If you are interested in more of Shenk's work, he maintains a blog that also has posts allotted for comments on individual chapters. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Please feel free to read and leave comments here if there are any specific aspects you would like to discuss. If you put comments on Shenk's blog, please let me know as I would love to join the conversation.
Inspired, informative, transformationalMarch 11, 2010 Michael B. Strong(New York City) 7 out of 12 found this review helpful
From the delightful and myth-busting opening pages about Ted Williams (spoiler alert: He wasn't talented. He worked harder than anyone else!), the only baseball player in history to bat .400, through the completely fascinating (and yes, accessible) explanation of how researchers and scientists now understand the relationship between genes and talent (intellectual and athletic, among other types), Shenk tells a profoundly optimistic story. The bottom line is that all people can do better by working harder, which is a message that is both morally and politically and socially appealing. It's also -- and this is Shenk's main point -- scientifically demonstrable.
It's similar to but better than Malcolm Gladwell, I think, because it is a topic that speaks to literally everyone, but in this book there is a richer and more sustained engagement with the science, and it is likely to be more influential -- for parents and kids and policy makers and teachers and philanthropists, for instance. It is a really important message that has the potential to change how we think about what it means to be human and to strive. He's a great story teller and in a way this is the self-help book to end all self-help books. If you do your homework, practice practice practice, you really do get to Carnegie Hall. Most of us just...don't work that hard.
One of the most enlightening books you will findMarch 11, 2010 Siva Vaidhyanathan(Charlottesville, VA) 7 out of 15 found this review helpful
This book is so clearly written and expertly organized that you will be thrilled with the sheer amount of information you have imbibed by the end of it. That said, it's brief and to the point. It makes a clear argument: all that noise about how talent and intelligence is innate and fixed is bunk. Real scientists have known for decades that genes do not simply "determine" complex traits, and that the real story of of our development is how genes get turned on and off ("expressed") due to environmental cues.
After this book gets the attention it deserves, every future "nature vs. nurture" story you read will seem like a comedic Mark Twain novel, which, actually, it is. If you want that sort of simplicity, enjoy The Prince and the Pauper or Puddin'head Wilson. Those are great stories.
But if you want to know the truth and learn the science, read David Shenk's The Genius in All of Us. You will not regret it.
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