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Title details for Adapt by Tim Harford - Available

Adapt

Why Success Always Starts with Failure

by Tim Harford
Jonathan Keeble
Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
2 of 2 copies available
When faced with complex problems, we have all become accustomed to looking to our leaders to set out a plan of action, to blaze a path to success. In this groundbreaking work, Tim Harford shows us a new and inspiring approach to solving the most pressing problems in our lives. Harford argues that today's challenges simply cannot be tackled with ready-made solutions and expert opinions; the world has become far too unpredictable and profoundly complex. Instead, we must adapt. Deftly weaving together psychology, evolutionary biology, anthropology, physics, and economics, along with compelling stories of hard-won lessons learned in the field, Harford makes a passionate case for the importance of adaptive trial-and-error in tackling issues such as climate change, poverty, and the financial crisis.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 17, 2011

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781611745030
      • File size: 285047 KB
      • Duration: 09:53:50

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Using examples from such diverse fields as medicine, the military, and the economics of developing countries, British economist Harford extols the virtues of trial and error on the path to success. Narrator Jonathan Keeble provides a strong delivery of Harford's thesis with his British accent, intonation, and sense of timing. The one exception is that the examples that support Harford's thesis come from around the world, and Keeble attempts to provide appropriate accents for each one. His British, Irish, and Scots accents are spot-on, but the others are exaggerated and except for the American accents tend to sound mostly Eastern European. Nonetheless, Keeble succeeds in advancing Harford's points on the importance of adaptation in a way that is illuminating and entertaining. E.N. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      May 30, 2011
      Harford's newest (after The Undercover Economist) is a look at the concept of adaptation, both evolutionary and business-oriented. He examines everything from the lives of colorful guppies to the complex inner workings of oil companies with the desire to understand all aspects of successful innovation. Using a style reminiscent of Freakonomics, Harford burrows through examples from within the U.S. military, the financial world, and most other key industries looking to pinpoint exactly what does and does not work in business today. More importantly, Harford emphasizes the interconnectedness of society. His insights are strengthened by his use of multiple industries and fields of knowledge although his objective is economically minded, it is undoubtedly applicable everywhere. Harford's style manages to be accessible while thoughtfully conveying complex ideas. In many ways, he can be seen as a logical, even more universal descendant of Peter Senge (The Fifth Discipline). A truly talented writer with an innovative mind, Harford should get some well-deserved attention for this.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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