Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Author Talk: Range by David Epstein

2023-03-13 10:00:00 2023-03-13 11:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Author Talk: Range by David Epstein What's the most effective path to success in any domain? It's not what you think. Join a conversation with New York Times bestselling author David Epstein as he chats about his book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. Virtual Program -

Monday, March 13
10:00am - 11:00am

What's the most effective path to success in any domain? It's not what you think. Join a conversation with New York Times bestselling author David Epstein as he chats about his book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.

Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. If you dabble or delay, you’ll never catch up to the people who got a head start. But a closer look at research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule.

David Epstein examined the world’s most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters, and scientists. He discovered that in most fields—especially those that are complex and unpredictable—generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. Generalists often find their path late, juggling many interests rather than focusing on one. They’re also more creative, agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see.

Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. Failing a test is the best way to learn. Frequent quitters end up with the most fulfilling careers. The most impactful inventors cross domains rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. As experts silo themselves further while computers master more of the skills once reserved for highly focused humans, people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives will increasingly thrive.

About the Author: David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World and of the New York Times bestseller The Sports Gene, both of which have been translated into more than 20 languages. His writing has been honored by an array of organizations, from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, to the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Center on Disability and Journalism, and has been included in the Best American Science and Nature Writing anthology. His story “Following the Trail of Broken Hearts,” on sudden cardiac death in athletes, was chosen as one of the top 100 stories of the last 100 years by Columbia Journalism alumni. He has master’s degrees in environmental science and journalism and lives in Washington, DC.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Books, Poetry, & Writing |

TAGS: | Virtual Program | Author Talk |

Virtual Program


Hours
Skip Open Hours widget
Mon, Oct 26 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Tue, Oct 27 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Wed, Oct 28 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Oct 29 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Oct 30 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 31 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Nov 01 7:00AM to 6:00PM

About the branch

This is a virtual location. No events are held at this address.

Upcoming events

Skip Upcoming events widget
Sat, Oct 31, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Join us to discuss Deacon King Kong by James McBride. When a church deacon, shocks his Brooklyn housing project by shooting the neighborhood drug dealer in broad daylight discover the connections that bind a struggling community together. 18 +
Register

Tue, Nov 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for a transformative virtual conversation with Indigenous Medicine Woman Asha Frost as she explores her groundbreaking book, You Are the Medicine: 13 Moons of Indigenous Wisdom, Ancestral Connection, and Animal Spirit Guidance
Register

Tue, Nov 03, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
The holidays are filled with fun & memories, but a person living with Alzheimer's may feel a sense of loss because of the changes they are experiencing. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed maintaining traditions providing care and a safety.
Register

Fri, Nov 06, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for a free training, designed to help you build essential digital skills. Whether you're just getting started or want to feel more confident with everyday tech, our friendly instructors will guide you step-by-step. Perfect for all beginners.
Register

Mon, Nov 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join our librarian and representative from Biblioboard and the Indie Author Project to learn more about how the Library can support your writing goals!
Register

Tue, Nov 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for an out-of-this-world virtual conversation with New York Times bestselling authors Kelly & Zach Weinersmith as they dive into their book, A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?
Register

Wed, Nov 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with veteran journalist Paul Vigna as we examine his provocative book, The Almightier in which he explores the question: how did money go from a tool of commerce into the dominant faith of modern society?
Register

Thu, Nov 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Join LA County Library and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) for a thought provoking conversation about the inspiration behind A Bill of Rights for Our Future.
Register

Fri, Nov 13, 9:00am - 11:00am
Join us for a free training, designed to help you build essential digital skills. Whether you're just getting started or want to feel more confident with everyday tech, our friendly instructors will guide you step-by-step. Perfect for all beginners.
Register

Thu, Nov 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Step into a world of celestial magic, political intrigue, & ancient prophecies with Rebecca Roanhorse as we dive deep into her acclaimed Between Earth and Sky trilogy.
Register