Looks at creativity and mastery in the arts, science, and business, as well as the sometimes surprising ways that they are achieved through serendipity, failure, simple determination, and hard work. "It is one of the enduring enigmas of the human experience: many of our most iconic, creative endeavors--from Nobel Prize-winning discoveries to entrepreneurial inventions and works in the arts--are not achievements but conversions, corrections after...

Sally Jane's attempts at roller skating are failures until animal friends encourage her to try again until she succeeds.

"The pursuit of science by professional scientists every day bears less and less resemblance to the perception of science by the general public. It is not the rule-based, methodical system for accumulating facts that dominates the public view. Rather it is the idiosyncratic, often bumbling search for understanding in mostly uncharted places. It is full of wrong turns, cul-de-sacs, mistaken identities, false findings, errors of fact and judgment-and...

Difficult times happen to everyone. But facing adversity doesn't have to stand in the way of being successful or happy. Adversity can make people tougher, wiser, and more compassionate. Bethany Hamilton, Oprah Winfrey, Ringo Starr, and Matt Moniz are examples of people who overcame incredible odds and achieved success. Learn about their inspirational stories with this informational text that is packed with fun facts, fascinating sidebars, and high-interest...

Most of us are taught from a young age to be winners and avoid being losers. But what does it mean to win or lose? And why do we care so much? Does winning make us happy? Winning undertakes an unprecedented investigation of winning and losing in American society, what we are really after as we struggle to win, our collective beliefs about winners and losers, and much more. The author argues that victory and loss are not endpoints or final destinations...

Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she's a brilliant who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her Great, Great Aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal to fly. Rosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt's dream come true. An aspiring young engineer must first conquer her fear of failure.

Katie is enrolled in a gymnastics class, but when she has trouble doing some of the moves she gets discouraged and considers dropping out.

"NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton is a friend of failure. In the 1970s, he brought the Minnesota Vikings to the Superbowl three times-and three times his team was crushed. The first two companies he founded both quickly folded. But by learning how to deal with defeat, Tarkenton discovered the key to success. Now 74 years old and CEO of Tarkenton Companies, Fran Tarkenton shares the most valuable lesson he learned as an athlete and entrepreneur-that...