Achievers - the masters, innovators, and great ones - do not owe their success to luck, birth, or environment. Rather, great achievers throughout history - from Michelangelo to Einstein, Madame Curie to Bill Gates, Colonel Sanders to General Eisenhower - all have characteristics that the authors have distilled into actions for extraordinary success - in any field. In the process, some old notions are put to rest - including the saw that innovators must be risk takers (in fact, they not) and that great ideas just happen. This book ranges from the importance of preparing for success (acquiring expertise) to endurance against obstacles and recognizing and then seizing opportunities. None of it is easy, they say, but the rewards can be substantial. This fascinating book will be especially helpful for senior executives, ambitious managers, and entrepreneurs; many will find the clarity of its prose and sometimes surprising relevance of the examples and keys inspirational.