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The First 20 Hours: How To Learn Anything...Fast (2013)

by Josh Kaufman(Favorite Author)

3.39 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1591845556 (ISBN13: 9781591845553)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Portfolio Hardcover

review 1: I have to say I didn't know what I was buying when I first got this book... And that’s all my fault because the author is honest Josh Kaufman about what the book is.I saw a the Ted Talk by the author and decided this book should be great.And when I read the introduction I immediately understood this will be a great reading… during the first chapters.So, I’m writing the review so that futures readers will know what to expect.The premise of the book is that with 20 hours of focused practice you can become decent at anything… This doesn't contradict the 10,000 hours rule that says: if you want to be an expert on something you have to practice for 10,000 hours (which is normally done in 10 years).The author mainly says that with 20 hours you won’t be able to play an ... moreinstrument like a virtuoso, but you’ll be able to pick a guitar and play in a bonfire… And that is fine with me.The first 3 chapters, Josh Kaufman, writes about acquiring a skill quickly and the importance of focus and discipline… So far so good.But the last 6 chapters are the summary of his successful attempts to learn new skills… If you are interested in learning exactly those 6 skills (Yoga, Programming, touch typing, ukulele and windsurfing) then you will enjoy the book in its entirety.I’m a programmer so when I read the chapter on programming I was thinking to myself either this guy is a genius or he left out most of the learning process, by the end of the chapter he did say that by trial and error he failed more than what he succeeded… But the feeling is that this should be easy, when it’s really not. So, after that chapter I just couldn't take him serious…Summing up, the first 3 chapters are great, the rest is disappointing but I guess a 40 pages book doesn't look to serious or interesting.The reason i gave the book 3 stars instead of 2 is because it was my fault not to know what to expect.
review 2: Very interesting and fun book. The author's writing style might not be that personable for some readers. But I felt a lot of personal connection to the author. As a software professional, learning things fast is a must have skill for work. This book is focused on the systematic way to accomplish the task. Very inspiring and fun.Plus, inspired by the author, I have learned Colemak keyboard and now use it everyday. less

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