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Beginners: The Curious Power of Lifelong Learning

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Beginners: The Curious Power of Lifelong Learning

By: Tom Vanderbilt
Narrated by: Tom Vanderbilt
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About this listen

Discover why learning is good for us and how to develop a 'Beginner's Mindset'.

For many of us, the last time we learned a new skill was during childhood. We live in an age which reveres expertise but looks down on the beginner. Upon entering adulthood and middle age, we begin to shy away from trying new things, instead preferring to stay nestled firmly in our comfort zones.

Beginners asks the question: why are children the only ones allowed to experience the inherent fun of facing daily challenges? And could we benefit from embracing new skills, even if we're initially hopeless? Best-selling author Tom Vanderbilt sets out to find the answer, tasking himself with acquiring several new skills under the tutelage of professionals, including drawing, juggling, surfing and much more. Witty and often surprisingly profound, Beginners is an uplifting exploration of the science of brain plasticity and how we can learn how to learn anew.

©2021 Tom Vanderbilt (P)2021 W F Howes Education Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Witty Feel-Good

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Critic reviews

“Beginners belongs on the list of books that have changed the way I understand my own limitations.” (Malcolm Gladwell)
All stars
Most relevant
Struggled to finish it but did so to write this review!

I was full of hope thinking I would gain knowledge of learning and education through this book, unfortunately I feel like I've wasted the time it took listening to this book as the Author is mostly interested in only talking about himself with very little insight, he repeats himself fairly often and doesn't explore the subjuct at a very deep level, I agree with others it seems that he just wanted an excuse to do some fun activities and write a book as an excuse to do them!

Indulgent and self obsessed

Superficial

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