|  | Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
List Price: $27.99
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Rating:  790 reviews
Sales Rank: 40
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
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Showing reviews 11-15 of 790
 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.
Great compilation of stories, falls short of delivering what promisses on the title November 11, 2009
SG (Erie, PA)
I have just finished reading the book. After buying it without reading other reviews (out of the fear of spoilers) I read it rather quickly. I would like to start by saying this is an extremely entertaining book that ends leaving you wishing there would be more stories. But it delivers a compilation that falls short of fulfilling the "Story of Success" promisse of the title.
The author navigates through several cases where environmental factors, on top of talent, resulted in cases of success.
- more to come...
Intriguing November 10, 2009
Christopher C. Bailey
Gladwell writes convincingly and raises some intriguing ideas for discussion. We had a great time going through the rosters of most NHL teams to test his birthdate theory. While he veers slightly off topic in the last portion of the book, overall the examples he chooses to dissect are engaging and worth considering. A fun read!
 One Dimensional November 10, 2009
David M. Halley (Hong Kong)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
One dimensional, boring read
By the time you are half way through a chapter, you get it and just want to get it over with
Asian schooling so great? What about creativity and imagination? In summer holidays you learn to play. That is why the western world creates and eastern copies.
Vietnamese numbers? Wstern society would build a machine to do it for them.
Canadian hockey? That is an extreme example of one of few sports which are primarilly based on size.
Lawyers. Natural succession. old business ideas become obsolete all the time.
I could go on and on.........
Showing reviews 11-15 of 790
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