Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise

"Peak" breaks down the commonalities between peak performers in their respective fields. Concepts such as deliberate practice and mental models are seemingly intuitive but this book defines them, outlines the nuances of each their components, and makes suggestions as to how to apply it within your own life.

The book highlights that those who reach the pinnacle of their fields is due to them practicing the most effectively and the longest hours. It changes the way you see people.

I enjoyed the read, particularly diving into the experiments done and their results.

Very insightful and detailed book on instances of deliberate practice. It deals with deliberate practice versus innate ability very well and is the best I've read.
Sometimes, some of the detail can be a little dragged out.
Id recommend this to anyone interested in improving themselves or others in sport, music, education etc.

This book provides many thorough examples of how to implement purposeful and deliberate practice. No matter what field, or endeavor you partake in, this book will ensure you're fully aware of how to improve!

Practicing makes you an expert in your field. But you must always adapt and innovate. Mindless repetition isn't helpful, so we must practice conciouslly, always addressing any issue and striving to improve. When we hear about an "innate", we don't hear the whole story of how they became what they are. Anybody can become an expert.

This pretty much sums up this.book, which is good information. I give it only three starts because it was way too repetitive. I wanted to put it down so many times. It drags too much every example. I hated reading it, way too boring.

Peak to learn. New educational paradigms called for individualized learning. Deliberate practice as a tool to acquire skills provides us with a much needed Tao of learning and education, particularly adept to millennial generation. The book is coherent, provocative and intriguing.

The research is excellent. I am slowly working through the material, because it is so insightful and fascinating.

The idea that your brain grows in certain region due to consistent, deliberate practice that is focused on improvement. I love the idea that long experience in an area can actually degrade over the horizon -- if you aren't engaged in improving in your domain experience.

I read with great pleasure the book while identifying in my personal history the things I learned in a not so perfect manner.during my life. This book already changed a little bit my daily routines and will be for sure of great benefit for my children. Thank you

Reading & Studying PEAK has changed my life!!! Highly recommend to any teacher who wants to be the best teacher possible -- also to any business owner or manager who wants to be the best business leader/manager possible . . . and to any Learners who want to be better learners in any field.

This book totally changed my understanding of what people can accomplish if they train optimally. These are the data that Malcolm Gladwell drew on when he coined his "10 thousand hour" rule, but the full story is far more nuanced than that simple phrase. Ericsson's work is revolutionary. "Peak" is one of the finest nonfiction books I have read.

I would prefer more analysis of what makes deliberate practice and discussing it in detail closer to the beginning in addition to the end. I think I would have learned even more from it. But, the book makes an excellent and articulate case.

I picked up this book after listening to a podcast interview with the author. I didn't expect it to completely inspire me and change my outlook on potential but that's exactly what it did. I will be putting deliberate practice into action and encourage everyone I know to read this book.

This book provides a fascinating perspective on human performance. The idea (with considerable scientific support) that excellence is largely a function of hard work and dedication to one's craft is an important message in a world that seems driven by instant gratification.

After discussing this book with others who haven't read it, it became apparent the the notion of the relative unimportance of innate talent in high achievers is quite counterintuitive, and can inspire strong reactions from those who insist they just cannot sing a note or are hopelessly unable to balance a checkbook. I believe this objection arises from the fact that most of our daily lives involve relatively low levels of performance, where innate talent is a discriminator. Most of us aren't really "world class" at anything, nor do we move in circles with others who are. Since, according to Ericsson's own characterization, innate talent *does* come into play at the more typical, relatively low levels of performance we experience in our daily lives, it is only natural that we tend to ascribe the ability to perform at the highest levels to that same mechanism. It may have helped to clarify and strengthen his thesis if this aspect of the topic had been addressed in the book. An enlightening read, despite this relatively minor observation.

The authors take us on a journey through creating mental representations by deliberate practice to achieve master performance on any field. Learning not by acquiring new concepts but by adquiring new skills. A must read for developing ourselves and for mentoring our kids.

Anders Ericsson is the leading expert on becoming an expert. In this popular (non-academic) book, he more accessibly publishes his findings for the first time. Also, a fun read! On my bookshelf next to Carol Dweck's Mindset.

Anyone who is looking to improve in a personal endeavor should read this. There may be a slow part or 2 in there when he shifts to area that may not be applicable to a particular person's situation, but overall it's a great read.

Tremendously helpful, rich in insights for education professionals. While funded on research and structured on a powerful theoretical model, I found myself reading it like a handbook, always jotting down great ideas, clear concepts and insightful stories.

What I liked--the lessons from this book, principally that deliberate practice is the best way to get good at almost anything, can be used by everyone. Also, the infamous "10-thousand-hour rule," oversimplified by Malcolm Gladwell, has finally been properly explained by the guy who did the research.
What I disliked--there could have been more details on how to set up deliberate practice. This might be just an introduction to the concept, which can provide a basis for further study.
Who should read it--anyone looking to improve or learn something better, or anyone involved in education.
Reason for rating--this book can truly lead to a revolution in education of all types.

Definitely an eye-opener on what it takes... Only problem is with the references at the end that completes the book at around 70% on Kindle. Suppose I know it's good because I was left wanting more??? :-)

I would always laugh and say, " i have no artistic talent... can't draw a stick." But after reading this book, I took an introductory watercolor class, and spent a lot of time practicing and remembering that I had no experience or training whatsoever. I'm certainly no professional, but believing that talent isn't totally genetic keeps me going and now I've even framed my first painting. So much of this book confirms my experience as a teacher and trainer of teachers as well.