Customer Reviews

Peak Learning

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
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For decades Ronald Gross has been bearing the torch for lifelong learning with unrelenting enthusiasm. I'll never forget many years ago discovering the first edition of his book, "The Independent Scholar's Handbook." It gave me the confidence I needed at the time to take self-education seriously. What I would have given to have had a book like "Peak Learning" when I began my journey of lifelong learning.

My philosophy of autodidactic learning is to think of an education not as something you get but as something you take. The new edition of "Peak Learning" shows you how to proceed on such a journey for yourself. Ronald Gross gives practical advice that seems like common sense, except that traditional education in America is far too focused on predetermined outcomes and spoon-fed knowledge. Many people who think themselves to be highly educated have little sense of their own strengths and learning styles. The result is a life of frustration and often a haunting feeling of inadequacy because they have never truly experienced the exhilaration of discovery based upon quenching their own thirst for knowledge.

In "Peak Learning," Ronald Gross shows you how to gain the kind of confidence that will allow you to take charge of your education and dramatically change your life. Highly recommended

This book is essential for any adult returning to school or to learning. Gross discusses the reasons for continuing our learning as well as the ways we can maximize our learning potential.

Gross begins be talking about the necessity and science of learning. At first, I thought this was not essential to book, but it does provide a rationale for learning as well as help the reader build confidence in his or her ability to learn as an adult. This had a positive effect on students in my class.

Throughout the book are many exercises readers can use to discover what kind of learners they are, such as top-down or bottom-up. This allows them to structure their study more effectively and to recognize the different pitfalls that could discourage them. Knowing that other people have the same fears and abilities can be emboldening.

I would highly recommend this to all adults. To keep up in this economy and workplace, you need to continue learning. This book can help you do this effectively.

The coming of the Knowledge Age requires us to learn how to learn. I have found few books that address this subject, though. As a learning professional in corporate America, I have discovered that even the most intelligent folks are sometimes inefficient or ineffective learners. Reading this book and applying its concepts is a great start if you truly want to become a lifelong learner.

There are oodles of theories of learning. Fortunately, Gross does a good job of synthesizing these into a simple, practical, and cohesive package that can be applied by anyone. His approach is amazingly holistic--he gives advice not only on conventional topics of learning (memory), but also on overcoming anxieties, creating a learning environment, and even preparing your body for learning. In addition, he steers the reader to extracting learning from experiences we generally take for granted, such as museums, bookstores, and zoos. He helps you see that learning is not just about sitting in class--it's something you do all the time.

Ellen Langer's Power of Mindful Learning (which I also highly recommend) touches on some of the same themes, such as gaining a learning mindset and breaking learning myths. The difference, however, is that Langer's book is a theoretical piece. Gross's book, on the other hand, has lots of practical activities that can immediately begin moving you moving along on the path to becoming a better learner. My toolbox is full of ideas now about how to help others learn how to learn.

If you want to thrive in the Knowledge Age, get this book and learn how to learn.

You won't believe how MUCH you can learn, and how WELL you can learn, about absolutely anything! And how that learning has a direct effect on what you EARN! My copy of the orignal Peak Learning is the most battered book I own...loaded with bookmarks and notes in the margins and highlighting. The new chapters in this updated version are great...givng new and current information about what drives business and careers. Don't just read the book, but try the suggestions in it.

The first time I encountered the author, Ronald Gross, I was then reading with fascination his two masterpieces: 'The Lifelong Learner: A Guide for Self Improvement' in the late 70's & followed by 'The Independent Scholar's Handbook: How to Turn Your Interest in Any Subject into Expertise' in the mid-80's. In fact, I also remembered that I even had a brief communication via fax with the author. These two books eventually propelled me along the journey of self-directed learning throughout the 80's. They were my field guides.

Then came this wonderful book, 'Peak Learning: How to Create Your Own Life-long Education for Personal Enlightenment & Professional Success' in the early 90's. My copy is the 1991 edition.

Without hesitation, I would like to rank this book with Charles Hayes' two masterpieces, 'Self-University' & 'Proving You're Qualified', which I have reviewed earlier. Together, they are the wisest & most useful books I have ever read on the subject of self-directed learning.

Unlike most books in this genre, which focus on theories or practices in adult learning, this book provides a set of productive tools & strategies for self-directed learning.

My favourite chapter in 'Peak Learning', among a few others, is Chapter XII: The Invisible University: Learning Resources from A to Z. The resources outlined in this particular chapter, together with the website resources at the end of the book (some of which may be outdated today), in fact helped me to expedite & sustain my own learning journey throughout the 90's & early twenties.

From the standpoint of a smorgasbord of learning tools & strategies for self-directed learning, this book is unequalled & unsurpassed, even up to today.

A multitude of learning devices, attitudes, resources are presented in an easy to read format.

Gross offers clear cut chapters with easy to apply solutions. I intiated the learning log early on, and I loved the brain mapping that he proposed. I took notes that way thoughout the rest of the book. He explains things very simply.

He has obviously researched many sources to be able to give his readers the pith of the advice. There is not too much frippery to wade through.

In addition, there are wide margins for notes. There are references to numerous titles for background information. Also, a nice bibliography. Gross could update it further by putting it into APA format. In addition, Gross could make a great appendix by listing all the books he refers to by chapter with a brief explanation of each.

Nevertheless, unless you already know everything there is to know about learning, you will find something or much that will be very helpful to you inside Peak Learning.

I purchased this book with the intention of building my own knowledge base, but after reading the material, I found that much of the information could benefit even my young children with retaining what they were being taught in school.

Most subject matter taught in educational institutions is designed to cater to large groups and what is most convenient for the teachers and the administration, but the methods don't work for many students and they are end up struggling to grasp even the most basic concepts.

If you have a child who seems to hate school, complains that they are bored or that their work is to hard, I strongly encourage you to read this book and then help them learn the techniques taught in this book. The difference can be astounding.

I enjoyed the book. It is a great tool that will help you assess your learning potiential. I especially liked the section on your personal learning and development. This was a fairly easy read, it was not complicated, and simple stated.

If you own your own brain and want to get the most from it get this tape and the more recently updated book. The tape introduced me to accelerated learning techniques which have proven useful in grad school.

This book opened me up to many new studying and memory concepts. The mind-mapping is very helpful when doing papers or reports. A must read for anyone going back to college.