Reasons to Read:
1. A case-by-case rationale for why the greatest success stories made it big, “Outliers” covers enough people in modern history to appeal to everyone.
2. If you’ve ever wondered what really makes someone talented or famous, beyond the hokey 10-step books advertising stardom in a week, this is it. This book has all the answers, without the false advice.
Page Count: 336 (paperback)
For Fans of: Nonfiction, the Beatles, history, music, Mozart, Bill Gates, science, education, sports, mystery, hockey, Oppenheimer
No-Spoilers Plot:
How did Bill Gates build one of the biggest technology companies in the world? How did the Beatles become the popular musical sensation still played on the radio today? How did Oppenheimer manage to create the atomic bomb, and how was Korean Air turned from the most dangerous airline globally to the safest? These are the questions Malcolm Gladwell answers, along with many more, in “Outliers.” Gladwell uses high-profile examples to build a case for his argument: it is the context of a person, from parenting and schooling to birthdate and coincidence, that create success, not the American ideal of individuality and hard work. There are no heroes in Gladwell’s book, only stories that, if applied systematically, can foster an environment for success.
The Long and Short:
Intriguing and relevant in its ideas and examples, “Outliers” is a perspective-changer that everyone from an uncaring teen to a sleep-deprived parent can enjoy. Gladwell answers a lot of questions (why was that one kid in elementary school always at the top of the class?) and makes inspirational suggestions for the future of America—or just for you and your children. Never boring, Gladwell challenges core beliefs in a way that will keep you hooked.
Though summer and beach reading time are coming to an end, if you have a recommendation or a response to the book, comment below!
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
