Summary of Peter Hollins' Polymath

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Benjamin Franklin was a polymath who was accomplished in many fields. He was an inventor, politician, and scientist. He was a diplomat, statesman, and passionate activist. He was also one of the five key people who put together the American Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution. #2 The debate between the generalist and the specialist is ongoing and has fallen in and out of favor throughout history. When you survey the most prominent and successful scientists, it’s easy to see that the majority were generalists rather than specialists. #3 Being a polymath requires a shift in perspective. Rather than running as far as you can in a single race, you open your field of perception to take in as much as possible, and draw atypical connections to link the knowledge you already have in unexpected ways. #4 A polymath is a specialist who performs in the top 1 percent of just one discipline. It is easier to find yourself in the top 25 percent than in the 1 percent. You can find and synthesize the highest quality information by standing on the shoulders of giants.