|  | Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
List Price: $27.99
Buy New: $9.99
as of 11/23/2009 14:37 CST details
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New (98) Used (53) Collectible (13) from $9.49
Seller: MaPlume
Rating:  788 reviews
Sales Rank: 34
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.2
ISBN: 0316017922
Dewey Decimal Number: 302
EAN: 9780316017923
ASIN: 0316017922
Publication Date: November 18, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Showing reviews 6-10 of 788
 good book on why people get good November 15, 2009
Wesley Bertram
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
So many people told me about this book and talking about it that I had to check it out for myself. Found it a lot more interesting than I thought I would and it definitely changed my perspective on things. As is mentioned in the book, in the US, we really like the idea of a "self-made man" who starts with nothing and later gets everything. This rarely happens though and the author would argue that it never happens. Then he goes on to explain why people are good at what they do. That's not saying that you don't have to practice to get good. You do. There is so much more than putting in 10,000 hours (or more) though and this book does a great job of explaining that.
Wish I read this 20 years ago November 14, 2009
Deeppocket
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Great book.
I raised two kids and both turned out to be productive citizens, but the messages learned in this book would have been very helpful in guiding and developing their interests. It is a fact, as described by the author, that 20,000 hours are required to be a big success in anything. Buy the book and give it to your kids.
 An elaboration what we often think of success people November 13, 2009
Tampa Reviewer
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
We know success is a function of intelligence, inspiration, hard-work, perspiration, and finally the luck or chance or things falling in place. The book emphasizes on things working right for intelligent and hard working people. It stresses less on how and why people are motivated. There is also one other element to consider. Although things fall in place, it is up to the person to take advantage of the opportunity. In a way, the book might me stating the obvious. For example, only a fraction of people make the finish line running a marathon. The book talks about that few who made it. If they made it, that means they are fit, had enough practice, and had the mental push. It's the basic theory of probability. The book looses focus towards the last few chapters. Overall, it's a good read.
some very interesting tidbits, but the least compelling of Gladwell's oeuvre November 12, 2009
Magic Man (Brigadoon)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I thoroughly enjoyed Gladwell's previous two books (The Tipping Point and Blink), and I found neither convincing in its central thesis. Gladwell has a flare for making psychology and social psychology research easily digestible and interweaving it with case studies to provide a satisfying mix that is inherently interesting, high entertainment value, and insightful into how we behave. That said, in neither of the previous books did I find that this tapestry of experiments and case studies really convinced me of the central thesis.
The thesis of this newer book is that people who are exceptionally successful - outliers - are a product of their environments much more than they are individually exceptional. First, Gladwell keeps knocking down a straw man that no one really believes anyway. I think we all know that environment matters a lot, and Gladwell never really accounts for the individual elements. Yes, the Beattles got 10,000 hours to practice in Hamburg, but were there other bands that played in Hamburg every year but didn't go big? Yes, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were born at a special time and had a special set of privileges, but what about Bill Gates's friends in his same high school computer club? What computer empire did they create? In other words, the individual element which Gladwell seems so excited to downplay still has to play a major role; or at least, Gladwell hasn't convinced me that it doesn't.
The most interesting part of the book deals with air plane crashes because it goes back to Gladwell's successful formula: a mix of social science research (in this case, on cross-cultural hierarchy something something) and case studies - of major plane crashes.
Gladwell still tells a good story, but this one is much less convincing than his previous work. I listened to the unabridged audiobook, and Gladwell narrates well. At the end of the audiobook, there is an interview with Gladwell which really belongs at the beginning; it gives an intro to the book that is totally superfluous after having read it.
Note on content: There might be a swear word or two in here; and in the epilogue there is one description of slave treatment which is not pretty (but is historical), but otherwise this is innocuous sailing.
Practical knowledge, easy to read, good presentation. November 11, 2009
anthg (Charlotte, NC)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Easy read, excellent presentation.
Covers underlying factors in the extraordinary success of some famous people, past and present. Covers cultural examples where hard work and discipline and success become the norm, and where the norm and cultural practice are a detriment.
The 10,000-hour rule. Being raised up with the right stimulation, the right motivational and educational advantages.
People who, despite their genius and talent, never break through to realize extreme potential. Food for thought.
Showing reviews 6-10 of 788
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