Why have all the sprinters who have run the 100 meters in under ten seconds been black? What's one thing Mozart, Venus Williams, and Michelangelo have in common? Is it good to praise a child's intelligence? Why are baseball players so superstitious? Few things in life are more satisfying than beating a rival. We love to win and hate to lose, whether it's on the playing field or at the ballot box, in the office or in the classroom. In this bold new look at human behavior, award-winning journalist and Olympian Matthew Syed explores the truth about our competitive nature—why we win, why we don't, and how we really play the game of life. Bounce reveals how competition—the most vivid, primal, and dramatic of human pursuits—provides vital insight into many of the most controversial issues of our time, from biology and economics, to psychology and culture, to genetics and race, to sports and politics. Backed by cutting-edge scientific research and case studies, Syed shatters long-held myths about meritocracy, talent, performance, and the mind. He explains why some people thrive under pressure and others choke, and weighs the value of innate ability against that of practice, hard work, and will. From sex to math, from the motivation of children to the culture of big business, Bounce shows how competition provides a master key with which to unlock the mysteries of the world.

马修·萨伊德，英国乒乓球名将，凭借自学考入牛津大学攻读政治学、哲学与经济学，以一等成绩毕业。他雄踞英国乒坛榜首近十年，并两次代表英国参加奥运会。

现为《泰晤士报》知名专栏作家，英国广播公司时事节目《新闻之夜》（Newsnight）撰稿人和赛事解说员，也是美国有线电视新闻网的常客。

他曾荣获英国新闻界重要的“年度体育记者”称号和英国体育记者协会的“年度体育特写”奖项。