The Click Moment: Seizing Opportunities in an Unpredictable World

We like to think that we have control; we can plan, analyze, and determine our success. Unfortunately, as Johansson argues, "success is random." Johansson (The Medici Effect) examines how success exists at the intersection of skill and luck. Logic might pay off at times, but in general, success means "somewhere, at some point, someone got lucky." This message may make readers uncomfortable, but Johansson provides three steps to cope with randomness. First, we must increase the randomness in our lives. Second, we must increase the number of bets we make. And third, we must recognize and harness the complex forces that are always at play. Johansson engages us from the start, drawing us in with tales from Serena Williams and Twilight as well as Google and Starbucks. Using numerous studies and ample research, Johansson offers an engaging and powerful read. Randomness looms large and change is all around, yet "we are truly reluctant to actively court randomness in our lives." This book should help us change that. Agent: Kim Witherspoon, Inkwell Management. (Sept.)