Who Would Like This Book:
Josh Waitzkin's 'The Art of Learning' is a unique blend of sports memoir and performance psychology, drawing from his experience as a chess prodigy and world champion in Tai Chi Push Hands. The book shines with deep personal insights into how mastery is a process, not just a set of techniques. Waitzkin offers a refreshingly honest look at competition, resilience, and how to turn setbacks into growth. It’s particularly engaging for fans of chess, martial arts, or anyone interested in high-level performance, self-improvement, and personal stories of transformation. Educators and coaches will also find inspiration in his teaching philosophies and emphasis on learning from mistakes.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers might be disappointed if they're looking for a straightforward 'how-to' guide on learning, as the book leans heavily on personal narrative rather than concrete, actionable steps. Those who prefer evidence-based or research-backed strategies may find the book's abstract principles and focus on intuition less satisfying. Likewise, if you’re not interested in the inner workings of chess or martial arts, parts of the book might feel overly detailed or niche. The touch of spirituality and Eastern philosophy might not resonate with everyone, either.
About:
Josh Waitzkin's 'Art of Learning' is a multifaceted autobiography that delves into his journey from being a chess prodigy to mastering Tai Chi. The book intertwines accounts of his experiences in both fields, providing insights into his strategies, mindset, and approach to learning. Through detailed discussions of chess matches and martial arts competitions, Waitzkin explores the connection between seemingly disparate pursuits and emphasizes the importance of depth over breadth in mastering skills. The writing style is sentimental and vibrant, with Waitzkin sharing his personal experiences and theories of excellence influenced by Eastern philosophies, making the book a compelling narrative on peak performance and learning.
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From The Publisher:
In his riveting new book, The Art of Learning, Waitzkin tells his remarkable story of personal achievement and shares the principles of learning and performance that have propelled him to the top-twice.
Josh Waitzkin knows what it means to be at the top of his game. A public figure since winning his first National Chess Championship at the age of nine, Waitzkin was catapulted into a media whirlwind as a teenager when his father's book Searching for Bobby Fischer was made into a major motion picture. After dominating the scholastic chess world for ten years, Waitzkin expanded his horizons, taking on the martial art Tai Chi Chuan and ultimately earning the title of World Champion. How was he able to reach the pinnacle of two disciplines that on the surface seem so different? "I've come to realize that what I am best at is not Tai Chi, and it is not chess," he says. "What I am best at is the art of learning."
With a narrative that combines heart-stopping martial arts wars and tense chess face-offs with life lessons that speak to all of us, The Art of Learning takes readers through Waitzkin's unique journey to excellence. He explains in clear detail how a well-thought-out, principled approach to learning is what separates success from failure. Waitzkin believes that achievement, even at the championship level, is a function of a lifestyle that fuels a creative, resilient growth process. Rather than focusing on climactic wins, Waitzkin reveals the inner workings of his everyday method, from systematically triggering intuitive breakthroughs, to honing techniques into states of remarkable potency, to mastering the art of performance psychology.
Through his own example, Waitzkin explains how to embrace defeat and make mistakes work for you. Does your opponent make you angry? Waitzkin describes how to channel emotions into creative fuel. As he explains it, obstacles are not obstacles but challenges to overcome, to spur the growth process by turning weaknesses into strengths. He illustrates the exact routines that he has used in all of his competitions, whether mental or physical, so that you too can achieve your peak performance zone in any competitive or professional circumstance.
In stories ranging from his early years taking on chess hustlers as a seven year old in New York City's Washington Square Park, to dealing with the pressures of having a film made about his life, to International Chess Championships in India, Hungary, and Brazil, to gripping battles against powerhouse fighters in Taiwan in the Push Hands World Championships, The Art of Learning encapsulates an extraordinary competitor's life lessons in a page-turning narrative.
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Art of Learning?
About the Author:
Josh Waitzkin, an eight-time National Chess Champion in his youth, was the subject of the book and movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. At eighteen, he published his first book, Josh Waitzkin's Attacking Chess. Since the age of twenty, he has developed and been spokesperson for Chessmaster, the largest computer chess program in the world. Now a martial arts champion, he holds a combined twenty-one National Championship titles in addition to several World Championship titles. When not traveling the country giving seminars and keynote presentations, he lives and trains in New York City. He can be reached at www.joshwaitzkin.com. For more information about Chessmaster visit www.ubi.com.
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