Josh with Dylan
Josh Waitzkin’s new book “The Art of Learning” is doing very well. You can get a copy of it at your local bookstores or of course through Amazon. It is very good and I like it very much.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
The Art of Learning Update
Love you book Josh! Thanks Susan for promoting it.
Josh, I saw your book too! Excelentissimo! I also love your lessons in Chess Master. Have you ever met Aikido expert Steven Seagall?
It is a great book.
Also Josh was a terrific guest at the hip hop federation event.
I was really impressed at how genuine he is.
This is very interesting. Seems like a special individual. Wonder if this book can help me personally to finish some papers I have to write.
They should make a movie based on this book!
I read Josh Waitzkin’s book in a day and a half, taking notes as I went. I’m a school teacher and have always been interesed in the learning process. I found Josh’s book a real page-turner.
Josh had a number of unique insights for me. The topic of utilising anger to trigger creativity had the most initial impact. It has made me calmer in my dealings with people.
At present, I am finding that the concept of chunking information helps me to analyse what is happening when I learn a new skill. I no longer study chess, but I am using the same ideas to improve my bridge game.
You may find a video of Josh speaking about his book here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj1gxz5puaQ&mode=related&search=
I also recommend this book highly, particularly to anyone whose children play chess (or do any other activities like music, athletics, school that require hard work and determination). Josh’s chapter on two approaches to learning is absolutely spot on (and can obviously applied to other areas). Since reading that chapter, I have been very wary of teachers and coaches who praise my child for her supposed “talent” rather than her hard work. I’ve seen so many kids who are told they are talented but not told how much effort they need to put into chess (or piano or figure skating or schoolwork) hit a brick wall whenever things get a little challenging. Anyway, there is a lot of other great stuff in the book. The chapter about the downward spiral is also key. I read it outloud to my daughter and her friends before a recent tournament. I also saw Josh interact with children at the Nationals and at a smaller tournament in the tri-state area and he was extremely gracious and encouraging. A mensch.