THE REAL WORK On the Mystery of Mastery

Adam Gopnik's voice has entertaining tonal variety and natural enthusiasm--just what this somewhat esoteric book needs to hold listeners' attention as he unfolds his discoveries about how we learn various occupations from others. For years he's been a worldly critic for THE NEW YORKER, bringing fresh perspectives to art, food, culture, and anything else that captures his attention. In this audiobook, he studies how people in diverse occupations pass on their knowledge to others. He often gains insights by becoming a student himself, learning from such professionals as a boxer, a dancer, a magician, and a driving instructor. He organizes his insights into seven "mysteries of mastery" and describes his experiences and conclusions with lively writing. He says mastery is less about "how to" than it is about absorbing the attitudes, culture, and identity of masters in any field. T.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2023]