| | Introduction | |
| | The Roseto Mystery "These people were dying of old age. That's it." | p. 3 |
| | 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 |
| | Harlan, Kentucky "Die like a man, like your brother did!" | p. 161 |
| | Index | p. 301 |
| | A Jamaican Story "If a progeny of young colored children is brought forth, these are emancipated." | p. 270 |
| | Opportunity | |
| | The 10,000-Hour Rule "In Hamburg, we had to play for eight hours." | p. 35 |
| | Notes | p. 287 |
| | Reading Group Guide | p. 311 |
| | 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 |
| | 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 |
| | Acknowledgments | p. 297 |
| | The Three Lessons of Joe Flom "Mary got a quarter." | p. 116 |
| | Legacy | |
| | The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes "Captain, the weather radar has helped us a lot." | p. 177 |
| | Marita's Bargain "All my friends now are from KIPP." | p. 250 |
| | Epilogue | |