The Sports Gene

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance | David Epstein

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Just finished this fascinating and very engaging “book about sports” for the #ReadHarder2017 challenge. So many interesting stories from a variety of sports, with ample science embedded in each. I‘ve officially found my father‘s Christmas present 😉

Pass on the audio though. I don‘t know WHY this reader kept trying to imitate accents for which he was so poorly equipped 🤦🏽‍♀️

lauralovesbooks1 I'm not a sports reader typically, but my son read it and recommended it to me. I found it fascinating with a lot of relevance to non-sports life. 6y

cocomass @lauralovesbooks1 yes! I loved all the case studies and appreciated Epstein‘s voice. 6y

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Nuwanda

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance | David Epstein

For my Book Bingo summer reading at my local library, I am supposed to read a sports book. Here is the problem: I HATE SPORTS. Any ideas for a sports-related book that isn't lists of players and statistics for games I don't care about? I don't mind some Olympic sports like gymnastics, figure skating, and so on. Any suggestions, fellow Littens?

swishandflick I'm not a sports person either but this book is fantastic!

The Art of Fielding: A Novel

L_auren ^seconded 7y

Cinfhen Although I didn't particularly like the book, it has tons of good reviews and it's an easy quick read about competitive gymnastics

You Will Know Me: A Novel

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Cinfhen I highly recommend

Beartown: A Novel

CouronneDhiver Have any of the American Olympic gymnasts written a book yet? 🤸🏽‍♀️ 7y

Nuwanda @swishandflick I have read The Art of Fielding! It was really good for a non-sports person! @Cinfhen, I have You Will Know Me, and I believe Beartown is at the library. Good suggestions, all of you! Thanks! 7y

Nuwanda @CouronneDhiver I will check that out. I think some have. Ooh, maybe there is one about the Magnificent Seven from the '90s! 7y

Notafraidofwords Would this count. It's about horse racing.

The Sport of Kings

8little_paws Here's one I liked

Against Football: One Fan's Reluctant Manifesto

Nuwanda @Notafraidofwords Yes, horse racing would count! Thanks! @8little_paws That is certainly an intriguing title! Thanks! 7y

manifestsanity

The Throwback Special: A Novel

Nuwanda Thanks, @manifestsanity! 7y

Dragon A fun read from my past

The Iowa Baseball Confederacy

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Karen.reads

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance | David Epstein

Reading this for work so I can write blogs about genetics and fitness. But, fun fact! I recently took a fitness DNA test and it told me that I have the "sprinter gene" that makes me capable of "explosive bursts of power." ? So maybe I will actually start running. Like more than 2 or 3 times a year. ?

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Sarahsbookshelves

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance | David Epstein

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(Audio) The ultimate guide to the nature vs. nurture debate as it pertains to sports. Full of fascinating info about the body and gene research...in addition to how genes impact athletic performance. Also great info on how certain body types and gene make-ups should train for optimal performance. Plus - did you know Yao Ming was "bred" by the Chinese sports federation from two of the country's tallest basketball players?! No lie.

kerry I sat next to an MLB sports med doctor on a plane once who recommended this book... Glad to hear you liked it! I trust your opinion more than a stranger on a plane ;-) 7y

Sarahsbookshelves @kerry Very cool! It has a big section on MLB. I first heard about it on a Bill Simmons podcast - with Malcolm Gladwell as his guest. And, weirdly, Simmons has never steered me wrong with book recs. I think you'd enjoy it - also huge sections on distance vs. sprint running. 7y

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