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kimball_hansen's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't get as much out of this book as I'd hoped for/expected. I liked when he talked about the rats that groom their pups after being handled by humans had a positive impact on their (the pups) actions. It made me wonder if that is why usually oldest and youngest kids seem to be happier/successful than their middle child syndrome counter-parts (IE they don't get the attention like the others do).
This is the first book where I've read that having too much self-control can be a problem. I hadn't thought of that till now. But the author did state that having too much self-control is better than having not enough, which I will fully endorse.
Although I will say that How Children Succeed didn't really make it's point, at least to me. Usually books that take a side on what to do or how to live one's life a certain way will drill down their thesis statement till you're blue in the face. I didn't find that with this - unless it was at the end where the author talked about getting people out of poverty is how children succeed.
I wanted to hear more about his biking trip from Atlanta to Novia Scotia.
This is the first book where I've read that having too much self-control can be a problem. I hadn't thought of that till now. But the author did state that having too much self-control is better than having not enough, which I will fully endorse.
Although I will say that How Children Succeed didn't really make it's point, at least to me. Usually books that take a side on what to do or how to live one's life a certain way will drill down their thesis statement till you're blue in the face. I didn't find that with this - unless it was at the end where the author talked about getting people out of poverty is how children succeed.
I wanted to hear more about his biking trip from Atlanta to Novia Scotia.
bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
Paul Tough traveled across the country interviewing educators and scientists trying to get to the bottom of why some children succeed and others don't. Ultimately he concludes that character strengths are a much better predictor of a successful life than other measures, and that character and intelligence are perhaps more malleable than once thought. It all begins with a strong positive relationship with a caregiver, and continues with modeling and teaching strong character behavior. He cites studies and evidence that he has collected along the way talking to leaders in rich and poor districts, charter schools, and students themselves. It is at times confusing, as he jumps around in time and in the middle of anecdotes. Nevertheless he provides a compelling argument that with a few simple interventions the achievement gap between rich and poor students can be closed. This is an enjoyable audio CD that complements the conversational style of writing.
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