Hey folks!
We are well into May now and well into David Epstein’s Range!
We hope you’re enjoying it so far! Don’t stress though if you haven’t yet started or aren’t very far through it, there is still plenty of time left in the month. Between being quite ill and piloting fighter jets, Tristan’s barely turned a page yet (slacker).
Having said that, the first few chapters of Range are truly living up to their potential. Any book that kicks off with stories about super stars like Serena Williams, Tiger Woods or Roger Federer, you know is going to be excellent.
Below we’ve shared a few insights from the Bad Ass community as well as key idea’s introduced in the first few chapters. And, if you’re hungry for more, we’ve shared some incredible additional resources from our author, David Epstein!
We also have a dedicated Range chat taking place over on our Discord channel.
AND! don’t forget to register for our end of month book club call on 29th May at 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST / 09:00 PST).
We’d love to see you all there! (BYO snacks soz)
﹅ Key highlights from Range so far…
Here are a few of the key actionable take aways from the first four chapters.
1. Specialisation isn’t always the winning formula
Epstein opens the book with the story of Tiger Woods and Roger Federer to highlight two very different paths to success. While Tiger specialised early, Federer tried many sports before focusing on tennis.
The core message: sampling a range of experiences can help people find a better fit and develop broader skills. In many careers, this generalist path leads to long-term success, especially when compared to early specialisation.
2. Kind vs. wicked learning environments
The book distinguishes between “kind” environments (like golf or chess) and “wicked” ones (like medicine or business). In kind environments, rules are clear and feedback is quick. Specialists do well here.
But wicked environments are messy, with unclear rules and delayed feedback. Generalists tend to perform better because they can adapt, think laterally, and handle complexity.
3. Breadth leads to better thinking
Generalists often succeed by drawing on knowledge from many areas. This helps them make connections, reframe problems, and come up with creative solutions.
Rather than being a disadvantage, broad experience gives them a flexible mindset. It prepares them for a world where innovation and adaptability matter more than narrow expertise.
What are your first impressions of Range?
● Additional resources
Here are some great resources that Epstein has put out it to the world if you’re thirsty for more!
Book: The Sports Gene - In this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success and the so-called 10,000-hour rule, David Epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving it. Through on-the-ground reporting from below the equator and above the Arctic Circle, revealing conversations with leading scientists and Olympic champions, and interviews with athletes who have rare genetic mutations or physical traits, Epstein forces us to rethink the very nature of athleticism.
Substack Newsletter: Range Widely - Range Widely is a weekly newsletter that spans science, art, self-improvement, and sometimes all three together. Some posts will help you interpret science in the headlines; others will feature a Q&A with David Epstein himself.
TED Talk: Why specializing early doesn't always mean career success - A head start doesn't always ... well, help you get ahead. With examples from sports, technology and economics, journalist David Epstein shares how specialising in a particular skill too early in life may undermine your long-term development, and explains the benefits of a "sampling period" where you try new things and focus on building a range of skills. Learn how this broader, counterintuitive mindset (and more forgiving timeline) could lead to a more fulfilling life, personally and professionally.
► Join the conversation
What Bad Ass Bookshelf members are saying
We’re building an incredible community over on our Bad Ass Bookshelf Discord channel where over 110 of you have joined in the fun (it’s free BTW).
Here are some of the chats we’ve been having:
Some excellent book recommendations - for both fiction and non-fiction
How we’re getting on with reading this month’s book, Range
Introductions from a diverse set of non-fiction book-fans like ourselves!
This week’s burning question
Do you carve out time to explore topics beyond your main area of expertise? If so, what have you discovered from doing that?
Let us know by dropping a reply to this email - or better yet - heading over to share these thoughts with the rest of the Bad Assess on Discord!
♦︎ Next book club call
We're so excited to host our next Bad Ass Bookshelf bookclub call to discuss Range at the end of May! Call details below:
Date: 29th May
Time: 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST / 09:00 PST)
Register for the call here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YK_qnF7RSTOV7P5i0FvHcw
Cannot wait to see you all there!
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