What makes the best, the brightest, the most famous, and the most successful excel? The answer to the question, Malcolm Gladwell insists, resides in the culture, family, and upbringing of these high achievers. To demonstrate his point, he delves into the backgrounds of soccer players, mathematicians, software billionaires, and even John, Paul, George, and Ringo. A super stimulating read; a buoyant Barnes & Noble Bestseller, now in paperback and NOOKbook editions. (Sidebar seminar: In statistics, an outlier is an observation numerical distant and unrepresentative of the remaining data.)
Outliers: The Story of Success
by Malcolm GladwellIn this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"--the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are
Editorial Reviews
The New York Times
Journalist Gladwell has established himself on the nonfiction bestseller lists by breaking down complex social science research into approachable concepts that can spark discussion around water coolers and cafe tables. Some of Gladwell's critics fault him for zeroing in on compelling anecdotes that may not consistently add up to empirical proof, but his flair for narrative serves him well as a reader. Gladwell builds dramatic tension into his storytelling-from the unique childhood of software tycoon Bill Gates to the secrets of success found along the rice fields of ancient China and Japan-making for an engaging listening experience even though the threads may not always tie together into a seamless package. The bonus author interview features some entertaining insights, including Canadian Gladwell's explanation for why so many comedy superstars hail from America's northern neighbor. A Little, Brown hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 22). (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Internationally best-selling author Gladwell (The Tipping Point) presents a fascinating analysis of the factors that lead to success, delving into the backgrounds of business leaders, athletes, artists, and musicians to reveal how their culture, circumstance, timing, birth, and luck have all played a key role in their success. While listeners may need some time to adjust to the author's gravelly, breaking-voice narration, this popular analysis geared toward the mass market nevertheless provides an important contribution to the factors impacting human potential. Recommended for academic psychology collections and larger public libraries. [The review of the Little, Brown hc said that "libraries will need to acquire it," LJ10/1/08.-Ed.]
Dale Farris
Entertainment Weekly
"....[Gladwell's] flair for narrative serves him well as a reader. Gladwell builds dramatic tension into his storytelling from the unique childhood of software tycoon Bill Gates to the secrets of success found along the rice fields of ancient China and Japan making for an engaging listening experience...."Publishers Weekly
"Malcolm Gladwell reminds us that authors can effectively read their own books by turning in a well-crafted, subtle performance. His slightly husky upper-register voice is calm and assured, and he knows exactly where to pause, provide emphasis, and how to deliver a punch line."AudioFile
"Gladwell pulls double duty as author and narrator...the material is frequently astonishing, and his reading is clear, heartfelt, and makes for genuinely pleasurable listening."Publishers Weekly
Product Details
- ISBN-13:
- 9780316017923
- Publisher:
- Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date:
- 11/18/2008
- Pages:
- 320
- Sales rank:
- 40,895
- Product dimensions:
- 5.60(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.10(d)
- Lexile:
- 1080L (what's this?)
- Age Range:
- 15 - 18 Years
Meet the Author
Malcolm Gladwell is a staff writer for The New Yorker. He was formerly a business and science reporter at the Washington Post.
Brief Biography
- Hometown:
- New York, NY
- Date of Birth:
- September 3, 1963
- Place of Birth:
- England, U.K.
- Education:
- University of Toronto, History degree, 1984
Customer Reviews
Average Review:
