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Rachel Sylvester,Alice Thomson

What I Wish I'd Known When I Was Young: The Art and Science of Growing Up

What I Wish I'd Known When I Was Young: The Art and Science of Growing Up

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The book "Past Imperfect: Why the People with the Hardest Beginnings in Life Often Become the Most Successful Adults" explores the pattern of how individuals with difficult beginnings, such as displacement, disease, financial ruin, abandonment, or bereavement, become the most successful adults. The book combines psychological research with intimate interviews to provide a narrative full of hope and insight into resilience, motivation, perspective, and courage.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers


A remarkable exploration unfolds within the pages of this captivating book, unveiling a treasure trove of brilliant stories, hilarious observations, and astonishing revelations about numerous figures in public life who have captured our attention but remained enigmatic. It dispels the notion that an imperfect past necessarily foreshadows an uncertain future, revealing a profound pattern that sheds light on the remarkable success of individuals who faced challenging beginnings in life.

Children who endure displacement, illness, financial ruin, abandonment, or bereavement often find themselves on a path to remarkable accomplishments as adults. This book delves into the question of why these individuals, who have endured significant hardships, emerge as the most successful in their respective fields. By exploring the lives of prime ministers, pioneers, poets, CEOs, chefs, actors, archbishops, sports stars, and Nobel prize-winning scientists, the authors shed light on the resilience, motivation, perspective, and courage that have propelled these individuals to greatness.

Through a fusion of psychological research and intimate, captivating interviews, this book weaves a narrative that is brimming with hope and offers valuable insights into resilience, motivation, perspective, and courage. It serves as a testament to the human spirit's remarkable ability to overcome adversity and thrive, inspiring readers to embrace their own journeys and unlock their full potential.

In conclusion, "Past Imperfect" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the power of resilience, motivation, perspective, and courage in the face of adversity. It provides a captivating journey through the lives of remarkable individuals and offers valuable lessons that can inspire and empower us all to overcome our own challenges and achieve greatness.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008497507

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