Outliers

I’d already read The Tipping Point and Blink, both by author Malcolm Gladwell. So I had an idea about what to expect when opening Outliers. I had enjoyed the first two books so much I didn’t want to miss out on this one. And it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s probably my favorite of the three.

The premise of the book is to examine examples of success and what helped people get there. The answers were so fascinating – such as how being the child of a New York City garment worker helped make many successful lawyers, or why Asian students are typically better at math. I won’t give away the reasoning, because then the book would lose some of its appeal, but the overarching thesis of the book seems to be that a combination of cultural legacy, timing, unusual circumstances (not to discount plenty of hard work and dedication) are what makes success.

I’m note sure this book has much practical application, but was an extremely fascinating read. It goes quickly, and keeps with Gladwell’s typical voice.

Verdict: Two thumbs up – read it!