Additional information
| Author | Scott Young |
|---|
Ultralearning
By Scott Young (2019)
What the internet says
Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.
Overall reception: Mostly positive
Ultralearning by Scott H. Young receives generally positive reception online, with a 4.5/5 rating on Amazon (4,323 ratings) and 4.0/5 on Goodreads (over 16,000 ratings). Readers appreciate the book's practical framework of nine principles for intensive self-directed learning, including metalearning, focus, directness, drill, retrieval, feedback, retention, intuition, and experimentation. The book draws on compelling case studies of ultralearners like Benjamin Franklin, Judit Polgár, and Richard Feynman, as well as Young's own projects like completing MIT's computer science curriculum in one year and learning four languages in one year.
What readers loved
- Provides a clear, actionable framework with nine specific principles for accelerated learning
- Includes inspiring real-world case studies and examples of successful ultralearners
- Research-based approach that incorporates latest learning science and cognitive psychology
- Practical techniques like the 'directness principle' (learning by doing the actual thing you want to master)
- Useful for both students and professionals looking to future-proof their careers
- Well-written and easy to understand despite covering complex learning concepts
- Emphasizes attacking weakest points first and active learning over passive review
Common critiques
- Significant repetition and padding throughout the book - multiple reviewers noted it could be much shorter
- Reads like an extended blog post rather than a comprehensive book
- Focused on extreme, intensive learning projects that may not be applicable to most people's situations
- Many principles are already well-known learning concepts repackaged under new terminology
- Implementation gap - knowing the strategies versus actually applying them remains challenging
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