Americas Group Book Selections
COURTING FAILURE: A Path to Success
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This book arises
out of a discussion about Leonardo da Vinci, particularly the remarkable
contrast between how Leonardo courted failure and how modern parents
tend to shield their children from it. The conversation led to the
realization that protecting kids against failure was like trying to
prevent waves breaking on a beach. It is not only impossible, it could
also prove harmful.
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EXCERPT FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO
COURTING FAILURE
Failure in all of its various forms tends to be seen by many cultures today as a
matter of shame and embarrassment, rather than as an opportunity for learning
and improvement. Failure is a blot on careers, a barrier to fame, and an
impediment to riches. The most troubling aspect of this change in attitude from
the High Renaissance to the 21st Century is that failure remains as natural to
the human condition as breathing. Despite this, many parents seem to be doing
whatever they can to shield their kids from the impact that any failure might
have on their psyches, self-esteem, and/or future plans.
The authors have decided that if kids could learn how to deal with some of the
consequences of failure and parents could learn how to help their kids cope with
some of the effects of failure, they would make a small contribution to the
future progress of our society. In short, as someone else aptly put it, they
wanted to put the "oomph" back in the "try" that results in triumph.
ISBN: 978-0-935047-66-0
LC NUMBER: 2008021276
PRICE: $15.95
PUBLICATION: Softbound - 6 3/4" x 9 1/2" (170mm x 240mm) - 128 pages
- Color - Illustrations- Index
PUBLISHER: The Americas Group, 520 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite
204, Los Angeles, CA 90049-3534 USA (310)
476-6374
E-mail: hrmg@mac.com
