The Sports Gene

The truth about performance beyond the 10,000-hour theory. Are champions born or made? In The Sports Gene, investigative journalist David Epstein unpacks the decades-long debate about nature versus nurture in human performance. Drawing on genetics, physiology and psychology, Epstein explores how elite athletes push the limits of body and mind - from the DNA variations that enhance endurance to the training cultures that mould world-class performers. Blending science with gripping storytelling, he reveals that success in sport is far more complex than talent or practice alone. An essential read for fans of Outliers , Range , and anyone fascinated by how and why humans excel. ‘A wonderful book. Thoughtful… fascinating’ Malcolm Gladwell ‘Terrific and unblinking... a timely corrective to the talent-denial industry’ Ed Smith, New Statesman ‘Endlessly fascinating’ Daily Mail ‘Captivating, fascinating’ New York Times