David Epstein The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

Last updated: October 13, 2023

David Epstein The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance
Show Contents

We looked at the top Sports Books and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Sports Book you should buy.

Overall Take

David Epstein's "The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance" is a different type of sports book. It takes a scientific look at what makes talented athletes good at what they do. Epstein uses studies and reports to back up his findings, revealing how much of a role that nature plays in athletic talent. The author does a good job at weaving science in with his own analysis and anecdotes.

In our analysis of 33 expert reviews, the David Epstein The Sports Gene placed 2nd when we looked at the top 8 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The debate is as old as physical competition. Are stars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams genetic freaks put on Earth to dominate their respective sports? Or are they simply normal people who overcame their biological limits through sheer force of will and obsessive training? In this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success and the so-called 10,000-hour rule, David Epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving it. Through on-the-ground reporting from below the equator and above the Arctic Circle, revealing conversations with leading scientists and Olympic champions, and interviews with athletes who have rare genetic mutations or physical traits, Epstein forces us to rethink the very nature of athleticism.

Expert Reviews


What experts liked

As a former competitive runner and current Sports Illustrated senior writer, Epstein is well equipped to explain the complexities of the “sports gene” search. Time and time again, his deeply researched and nuanced investigations of the genetics underlying the athleticism of different races, genders and individuals reinforce a comforting, commonsense conclusion: excelling at sports isn't just a matter of natural talent or nurtured practice—it's both.
Many researchers and writers are reluctant to tackle genetic issues because they fear the quicksand of racial and ethnic stereotyping. To his credit, Epstein does not flinch. He reviews the best scientific studies and reports that, on average, black athletes run faster and jump higher than white ones.
Readers may feel overwhelmed at Epstein’s avalanche of genetic and physiological studies, but few will put down this deliciously contrarian exploration of great athletic feats.
This engaging and illuminating work is a pleasure to read. The anecdotes are amazing and humanize the scientific questions and issues raised by the role of genes in sport. Epstein does a great job of reporting the science without getting too technical, but without dumbing it down or sensationalizing it.
In this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success and the so-called 10,000-hour rule, David Epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving it. Epstein forces us to rethink the very nature of athleticism.

What experts didn't like

I have only one complaint: The narrative slows down when the author shows off what he knows about the arcane details of genetic science.
View our Sports Book buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

More to explore