In a lively discussion, Adam Gopnik, a Staff writer for The New Yorker known for his essays and books, shares insights from his latest work, exploring the concept of mastery. He vividly illustrates lessons from various masters, including chefs debating seasonality and the philosophical nuances of magic. The conversation touches on personal anecdotes about familial relationships and the emotional journey of self-discovery. Gopnik emphasizes that mastery is not just about skill but a deeper engagement with creativity across disciplines.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Cats vs. Dogs Debate
Adam Gopnik recalls a past debate with Malcolm Gladwell where he argued cats were superior to dogs.
He jokingly claimed all cats were Republican, Goyesha, while dogs were Democrat, Jewish, surprisingly winning the debate in Manhattan.
insights INSIGHT
Gopnik's Writing Approach
Gladwell theorizes Gopnik's writing focuses on finding fascinating individuals first, then develops theories to explain his interest.
Gladwell contrasts this with his own approach, starting with an idea and finding individuals to support it.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Talk of the Town Transformation
Gopnik describes a transformative experience writing for The New Yorker's Talk of the Town section.
He shifted from academic, argumentative writing to descriptive prose using "ands" instead of "buts" to illuminate subjects.
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In 'The Real Work', Adam Gopnik delves into the mystery of mastery by apprenticing himself to masters in fields like magic, drawing, boxing, and dance. He reveals that mastery is not rare but ubiquitous, often involving the intentional imperfection that adds expressiveness to skills. Gopnik's journey highlights the common qualities and methods shared by top performers across different disciplines.
Paper Lion
George Plimpton
In 'Paper Lion,' George Plimpton recounts his 1963 experiment where he joined the Detroit Lions' training camp to experience life as a professional football player. The book details his struggles on the field, his interactions with the players and coaches, and provides a unique insider's view of the NFL. It also explores the personalities of the team members, including future Hall of Famers like Dick 'Night Train' Lane and Joe Schmidt. The book is notable for its vivid descriptions of life behind the scenes of an NFL team and its blend of humor and insightful storytelling.
Paris to the Moon
Paris to the Moon
Adam Gopnik
Mad Ducks and Bears
Steve Almond
George Plimpton
In 'Mad Ducks and Bears', George Plimpton explores the fascinating lives and motivations of football players both on and off the field. The book is an engaging companion to his earlier work, 'Paper Lion', offering insights into the personalities and experiences of these athletes.
The Disenchanted
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Budd Schulberg
Bud Schulberg's *The Disenchanted* is a fictionalized biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald. It delves into Fitzgerald's struggles with alcoholism, his tumultuous relationship with his wife Zelda, and his creative process. The novel offers a nuanced portrayal of a brilliant but flawed artist grappling with fame, fortune, and the complexities of human nature. It explores themes of disillusionment, self-destruction, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The novel provides a glimpse into the personal and professional challenges faced by a literary icon.
In a live conversation taped at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Malcolm chats with his old friend and New Yorker magazine colleague, Adam Gopnik, about Adam’s latest book, The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery. In the book, Adam follows numerous masters of their craft to find out just how they do what they do—and discovers that there is mastery all around us. In this episode, Malcolm and Adam highlight a few of the folks from the book, and what they have to teach us. You can purchase the audiobook version of The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery at Pushkin.fm
Revisionist History 
