The Sports Gene

Provides a powerful and convincing analysis of how genes influence all our lives, especially the careers of elite sportsmen

The Times

A fascinating, thought-provoking look at the leading edge of sports performance, written by a guy who knows the territory. David, besides being a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, was a collegiate runner for Columbia University. More to the point, he’s a terrific researcher and a fine, thoughtful writer

Dan Coyle, author of The Talent Code

Full credit to David Epstein, a Sports Illustrated journalist with a serious and deep knowledge of genetics and sports science, for his terrific and unblinking new book, The Sports Gene, a timely corrective to the talent-denial industry

Ed Smith, New Statesman

Endlessly fascinating

John Harding, Daily Mail

Epstein’s book does not try to simplify the argument, but it does provide a welcome corrective to those who have deliberately underplayed the notion that genetic make-up is irrelevant

Mike Atherton, The Times

David Epstein's illuminating synthesis of the latest research into the nature v nurture debate as applied to sport

Simon Redfern, Independent

Provoking spirited debate about the merits of the 10,000 hour rule

Rick Broadbent, The Times

An important book on the relative roles of genes and environment—nature and nurture—in the building of a professional athlete ... bound to put the cat among the pigeons

Wall Street Journal

Captivating...fascinating...His answer to the questions “Nature or nurture?” is both. If that sounds like a hedge, it isn’t: instead, it’s a testament to the author’s close attention to nuance.

New York Times