Book Review: Outliers

Malcolm Gladwell, author of Tipping Point and Blink has a new book: Outliers: The Story of Success" . Gladwell is a wonderful writer, drawing the reader in and making connections that are non-obvious but often profound.

This book breaks down the myth of the Genius that arises, sui generis, from humble circumstances, propelled by the power of his (it's almost always a man) greatness.

In Outliers, Gladwell argues that outliers, those "data points" that fall outside the expected normal distribution, can't be understood apart from familial and cultural factors that shape the person's life in unexpected ways.

Gladwell is at his best when drawing surprising connections, and this book has some great ones. I love books like this: it makes me think very differently beyond what appears obvious.

Content: 4.5

Readability: 4.5

Recommended For: People interested in going beyond the myths of rugged individualism and the inevitability of the Great Man.