The Hot Hand

How the Search for a Missing War Hero, Shakespeare’s Lucky Flea, a Wall Street Champion, Three Guys in Front of a TV and a Series of Long, Long Shots Reveal the Hidden Secrets of the Winning Streak

Ben Cohen

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Anthony Pompliano: ["I've really enjoyed it and highly recommend!"](https://twitter.com/APompliano/status/1301137301607714816\)

Book Synopsis

"The Hot Hand" by Ben Cohen delves into the fascinating phenomenon of streaks and its implications in the world of sports. Cohen explores the belief in 'the hot hand' - that players who have experienced success are likely to continue performing well. Through extensive research and interviews with athletes, coaches, and statisticians, Cohen investigates the validity of this notion and its influence on professional basketball.

In this thought-provoking analysis, Cohen includes engaging storytelling to highlight memorable moments in sports history and the uncanny performances that have defied statistical odds. He examines the scientific explanations behind streaks, including the role of psychology and the human drive for patterns.

Additionally, Cohen offers a critical examination of how the hot hand belief impacts decision-making in sports and beyond. He uncovers the paradoxical nature of streaks, where the faith in a hot hand influences players and teams yet can also disrupt rhythm and hinder performance.

Ultimately, "The Hot Hand" challenges our common assumptions about winning streaks and redefines our understanding of luck, skill, and the complex interplay between the two. With thoughtful analysis and captivating storytelling, Cohen provides readers with a refreshing exploration of streaks in sports and their wider implications.

Explore More Books

See All
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Four
The Elements of Style
The Celestine Prophecy
Foundation's Edge
When Breath Becomes Air
The Gift of Good Land
Chasing the Light
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
Sperm Wars
Probability Theory
Becoming Steve Jobs
Red Notice
Antifragile
The Truth about Carbs
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Bossypants
Should We Eat Meat?
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Crossing the Chasm
Information
Foundations
Certain To Win
Think on These Things
How to Teach Your Baby to Read
The Activist's Media Handbook
The Robber Barons
Kill Decision
When The Wolves Bite
To Dare and to Conquer
Command
The Art of Stillness
Idea Makers
In The Plex
Thank You For Smoking
Strength In Stillness
The Oxford History of Britain
Citizen Coke
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Brotopia
The MAGA Doctrine
The Untethered Soul
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Killers of the Flower Moon
Wild And Crazy Guys
The Hydrogen Sonata
Market Wizards
Super Pumped
Filters Against Folly
All Quiet on the Western Front
Founders at Work
The Doors of Perception
1984
Queen of Fashion
Simple & Direct
Ignition!
Being Nixon
The Craft
Bend The Curve
Evicted
24/6
Triumphs of Experience
The Power of Broke
The Hobbit
My Years with General Motors
Intellectuals
Math, Better Explained
Competing Against Luck
How To Decide
Paper Lion
High Output Management
In Cold Blood
Co-Intelligence
Foundation and Earth
Tribal Leadership
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Tender Is The Night
Happiness
A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes
The Story of Philosophy
Devil's Bargain
A Good Man
The Lord of the Rings
Clocks and Culture
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Lagom
The Curse of the Mogul
Cognitive Surplus
Why We Get Fat
Dark Towers
Glass
The Prize
Starlink
Happy Accidents
Digital Gold
The Aeneid
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
The Song Machine