The Genius in All of Us argues that talent - for piano playing, sprinting, designing computers, you name it - is not something coded in our genes and present from birth, but a process: a lifelong project. The genetic legacy for which we thank our parents is not what holds us back: it is our inability, so far, to tap into what we already have. IQ testing and widespread acceptance of 'innate' abilities have created an unnecessarily pessimistic view of humanity and much misdirected public policy, especially in education. Powerful, counter-intuitive, accessible and undoubtedly divisive, David Shenk's book carries a deeply revolutionary and optimistic message: we are not prisoners of our DNA, and we all have the potential for greatness. 'A deeply interesting and important book.' New York Times 'The Genius in All of Us has quietly blown my mind.' Salon.com 'Cogent and compelling...The Genius in All of Us will convince many readers that the conventional wisdom about talent is due to be overthrown. Shenk gets that revolution well underway.' The Week 'Shenk robustly disputes the popular belief that intelligence and talent are genetically predetermined, and methodically explains the thousands of hours of practice behind the 'genius' of a host of musical and athletic superstars (and those amazing London cabbies).' Freakanomics blog, New York Times 'The thinking man's Outliers.' New York magazine
