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Author: Malcolm Gladwell

What is it about? Malcolm Gladwell’s third book explores the outlying factors which lead to success. Gladwell once again tackles his subject matter by looking at his topic from a vantage point way outside the box. He argues that success is due to a number of outlying factors which we really don’t have much control over. After you read his arguments, you will wonder, ‘Why didn’t I think of that already?’ For example (and without giving too much away) why are a majority of professional hockey players born in the first quarter of the year? Why are Asians better at math than North Americans? Why did the Beatles become so successful? Does your IQ really matter?

Excerpts: coming soon

My Two Cents: While this may seem like an uninspired idea for a book, it is Gladwell’s unique approach which makes this such a refreshing and eye-opening read. Like all of Gladwell’s books, his topics lend themselves to being discussed. He’s often criticized for only showing one side of the argument and/or only choosing to display observations or data that support his claims. While this may be true in some cases, if nothing else, I feel as though Gladwell’s books are extremely important reads and can open anybody’s eyes to a whole new way of thinking.

You might like it if you liked: Blink, The Tipping Point, The Black Swan

One Comment

  1. Gladwell uses several stories to support his hypothesis that a person’s innate abilities do not solely determine their success in life. He argues that it is also, if not more, important to understand the situations and circumstances throughout a person’s life to pick out a true “Outlier.”


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