The X Factor: A Quest for Excellence

by George Plimpton

A whimsical quest for the ever-elusive quality that is annoyingly possessed by successful people follows the author's horseshoe match with George Bush, which leads to interviews with such figures as Magic Johnson and the head of American Express.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

George Ames Plimpton was an American journalist, writer, editor, actor, and gamesman. He is widely known for his sports writing and for helping to found The Paris Review.

He was the grandson of George A. Plimpton.

Reviews

[Connie N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is totally based around a chance that George Plimpton had to play horseshoes with then-President George Bush. Upon first meeting him, George P. was captivated by the President's warm friendliness but strong competitiveness when it came to one of his favorite games. That got George P. thinking about some people's almost-unbelievable ability to push to succeed in whatever they attempt--games or sports or business. So he set out to determine what this "x factor" is that drives them. The book is fairly readable, with a few amusing anecdotes, but I'll admit to being thankful that it was short. Most of the focus was on President Bush and George P.'s desire to have a rematch and the opportunity to beat him after coming close the first time. The best part of the book is the trip George P. and his son took to Camp David to share in some of the Bush family's fun time. It reiterated to me the warmth and casual natures that George and Barbara Bush have always projected.

George determined the X factor to be something like this:
"So, in short, champions have the capacity to focus; they have a singleness of purpose. They are unselfish--able to give when others can't and when there's no apparent reward. They are tough--meaning tough endurance-wise but also meaning willing to follow the rules when the competition will not; they are smart; and they just never quit. I think it goes across the board: business, politics, sports, life."

[David Stanley · Rating 1 out of 5]

George Plimpton is one of my favorite writers. What he did throughout his career; the Paris Review, all his great participatory sports books, his conservation work and writings in Africa - he's a true favorite. But don't bother to read this book. Everything that makes Plimpton's work ring true - the humility and curiosity and exceptional prose - is absent from "X Factor."
You want to learn what makes exceptional people exceptional - check out Josh Waitzkin's "The Art of Learning" or Sakyong Mipham's "Turning the Mind into an Ally" or Plimpton's "One More July." But don't read this. It's as if he needed to throw a book together to satisfy a legal obligation.

[T. Wicked · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good analysis of what makes some people tick, why they are just special and above the rest.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say that I learned anything from this book that I can apply to my own life but I did enjoy reading it.