| | Introduction | |
| | The Roseto Mystery "These people were dying of old age. That's it." | p. 3 |
| | Opportunity | |
| | The Matthew Effect "For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." - Matthew 25:29 | p. 15 |
| | The 10,000-Hour Rule "In Hamburg, we had to play for eight hours." | p. 35 |
| | The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 1 "Knowledge of a boy's IQ is of little help if you are faced with a formful of clever boys." | p. 69 |
| | The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 2 "After protracted negotiations, it was agreed that Robert would be put on probation," | p. 91 |
| | The Three Lessons of Joe Flom "Mary got a quarter." | p. 116 |
| | Legacy | |
| | Harlan, Kentucky "Die like a man, like your brother did!" | p. 161 |
| | The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes "Captain, the weather radar has helped us a lot." | p. 177 |
| | Rice Paddies and Math Tests "No one who can rise before dawn three hundred sixty days a year fails to make his family rich." | p. 224 |
| | Marita's Bargain "All my friends now are from KIPP." | p. 250 |
| | Epilogue | |
| | A Jamaican Story "If a progeny of young colored children is brought forth, these are emancipated." | p. 270 |
| | Notes | p. 287 |
| | Acknowledgments | p. 297 |
| | Index | p. 301 |
| | Reading Group Guide | p. 311 |