Late Bloomers

The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement

By: Rich Karlgaard

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

A groundbreaking exploration of how finding one's way later in life can be an advantage to long-term achievement and happiness.

“What Yogi Berra observed about a baseball game - it ain't over till it's over - is true about life, and [Late Bloomers] is the ultimate proof of this.... It’s a keeper.” (Forbes)

We live in a society where kids and parents are obsessed with early achievement, from getting perfect scores on SATs to getting into Ivy League colleges to landing an amazing job at Google or Facebook - or even better, creating a start-up with the potential to be the next Google, Facebook or Uber. We see coders and entrepreneurs becoming millionaires or billionaires before age 30 and feel we are failing if we are not one of them.

Late bloomers, on the other hand, are undervalued - in popular culture, by educators and employers, and even unwittingly by parents. Yet the fact is a lot of us - most of us - do not explode out of the gates in life. We have to discover our passions, talents, and gifts. That was true for author Rich Karlgaard, who had a mediocre academic career at Stanford (which he got into by a fluke) and after graduating, worked as a dishwasher and night watchman before finally finding the inner motivation and drive that ultimately led him to start up a high-tech magazine in Silicon Valley and eventually to become the publisher of Forbes magazine.

There is a scientific explanation for why so many of us bloom later in life. The executive function of our brains doesn't mature until age 25 - and later for some. In fact, our brain's capabilities peak at different ages. We actually enjoy multiple periods of blooming in our lives. Moreover, late bloomers enjoy hidden strengths because they take their time to discover their way in life - strengths coveted by many employers and partners - including curiosity, insight, compassion, resilience, and wisdom.

Based on several years of research, personal experience, and interviews with neuroscientists, psychologists, and countless people at different stages of their careers, Late Bloomers reveals how and when we achieve our full potential.

Praise for Late Bloomers

“The underlying message that we should ‘consider a kinder clock for human development’ is a compelling one.” (Financial Times)

“Late Bloomers spoke to me deeply as a parent of two millennials and as a coach to many new college grads (the children of my friends and associates). It’s a bracing tonic for the anxiety they are swimming through, with a facts-based approach to help us all calm down.” (Robin Wolaner, founder of Parenting magazine)

©2019 Rich Karlgaard (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I’m tempted to say this book was long overdue, but the truth is that it couldn’t come at a better time. Rich Karlgaard makes a commanding case against the wunderkind ideal, in favor of recognizing that late bloomers often prove to be the most radiant. If you’ve ever known someone who was overlooked or underestimated - or been that someone - you’ll immediately appreciate the importance of this message. Reading it is an utter delight.” (Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take)

“Despite Aesop’s warnings, our society still admires the hare more than the tortoise. We deify those who burst out of life’s starting blocks and disdain those who take time to find their pace. But that’s a colossal mistake, says Rich Karlgaard in his powerful new book. Drawing on a deep reservoir of science, Karlgaard shows that many of us - perhaps most of us - peak well after our wunderkind years as we acquire the wisdom, resilience, and equanimity necessary for genuine achievement. Deftly written and deeply researched, Late Bloomers will change the conversation about success in America.” (Daniel H. Pink, author of When and Drive)

“Our culture exalts youthful brilliance over mature achievement. Talent often flourishes later in life, when experience brings wisdom.... The institutions and organizations that dominate so much our lives should pay heed.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Good Read

i enjoyed the book overall. I preferred the second half because thr first half was all about early bloomers replete with full stories. that was boring to me as I knew most of them.

Outstanding book

I was hooked and enthralled from the beginning to the end. For someone. whoo is also a late bloomer, this book rings very true.

Very relevant phenomenon in today's times

Valuing late bloomers or having a second act in your professional and personal life needs to get mainstream attention in today's hyper specialization world stemming from early achievements. The book's ideas are similar to the book Range by David Epstein. I enjoyed Range little better than this book as it focuses less on narrow definition of success stemming from professional life. I enjoyed first and last chapter of Late Bloomers more than the middle. it has a lot of cliche (but important) advised packages with a lens of late blooming with psychological research from every self help book quoted.

I strongly believe in the concept of blooming late and second acts in a world where lifespans are longer and machines can increasingly do what humans can do and we need to keep reinventing ourselves

I liked the way Author concluded the book by focusing on our story and narrative of life

Good

Longer than it needs to be, but worth it for a few key chapters

What a thoughtful, hopeful book!

"Late Bloomers" by Rich Karlgaard is an excellent book, on many counts. It deals with many great topics, having to do with debunking a pervasive myth about our supposed limitations as human beings. Not only age, but many others factors contribute to us not being able to envision ourselves and others as growing beings with remarkable potential. Wonderful examples, as well as references to research that illustrates the wide ranging aspects of our realistic abilities to grow and thrive as human beings. I have already recommended it and bought the book for my friends and family.

Awesome !

This is just simply awesome. Y'all should read this as soon as you can. Wisdom all the way

I needed this

This book was much needed. It bolstered my confidence and optimism. I can still bloom. I'm not a lost cause.

Amazing

One of the best books.. Filled with great information. Simply amazing.. Worth a listen.

Fantastic and important book

This topic is so important I’m surprised more has been said about it up to now. Karlgaard provides a well-researched and accessible book that will hopefully inspire many of us who were not early bloomers to still chase our dreams and maximize our potential. Highly recommended.

Therapeutic audiobook for me.

Listening to this was a therapy for me. So many decisions I had to make were explained here. Getting out of my city, changing career and social cycle... Well, I don't expect to be a millionaire but with this new light I sincerely think my best period of life is right ahead.

Narrator performance is flawless.