Review and Free Giveaway: Outliers
By Kristen on Dec 17, 2008 in Reviews
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell ** Discussion Questions Available! **
Release date: 2008 / 285 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): Why do some people succeed far more than others? There is a story that is usually told about extremely successful people, a story that focuses on intelligence and ambition. In Outliers Malcolm Gladwell argues that the true story of success is very different, and that if we want to understand how some people thrive, we should spend more time looking around them — at such things as their family, their birthplace, or even their birth date. The story of success is more complex — and a lot more interesting — than it initially appears.
Review: I was so excited when Hatchette Books agreed to send me a copy of Outliers for review. I had read Gladwell’s earlier works — Blink and Tipping Point – and was already impatiently waiting for Outliers (at 120) on the library’s list.
I had read Tipping Point first and could not put it down, despite spending the weekend with family and having very little time to read. Blink did not engage me quite as thoroughly — which surprised me since the premise was even more compelling (on the surface) than that of Tipping Point.
However, Outliers outshines them both! I devoured it in a few days, retelling each section to my husband on our nightly walks with our dog. I also couldn’t help but wish that one of my book clubs would chose to read it. Outliers is the type of book that just begs for discussion — it is actually hard not to share Gladwell’s findings with others — and even prompted me to write a series of discussion questions for just that reason.
So, what made Outliers so fascinating? How about the fact that the vast majority of professional hockey players were born in the first three months of the year? Or that a pilot’s ethnicity may be the most salient factor in whether or not s/he crashes an airplane… Or that genius is much less significant than upbringing with regard to future success… Or that the Hatfields and the McCoys really couldn’t help fussin’ and a feudin’? Or that it requires 10,000 hours to be really, really successful at something — and this “rule” outweighs intellect?
Now some of these observations may put people on the defensive — but one of the reasons I so enjoy Gladwell’s work is that he is, at heart, a scientist. So, his findings are backed by irrefutable, if not astonishing, data.
One of the findings — regarding the ethnicity of pilots — is actually the reason why plane crashes have decreased considerably in the past few decades. How? Because this industry has recognized and capitalized on this unifying premise of Outliers: “everyone from hockey players to software tycoons to takeover lawyers has been offered on the way to success: an opportunity to transform their relationship to work.” (219)
And that is what is so ultimately inspiring about Outliers:
“Everything we have learned in Outliers says that success follows a predictable course. It is not the brightest who succeed… Nor is success simply the sum of the decisions and efforts we make on our own behalf. It is, rather, a gift. Outliers are those who have been given opportunities — and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them…The lesson here is very simple. But is is striking how often it is overlooked. We are so caught in the myths of the best and brightest and the self-made that we think outliers spring naturally from the earth…” (267-8)
So, you know what comes next… Interested in winning a free copy? Simply leave me a comment!
Welcome back!
I’ve seen Gladwell on a couple of talk shows, and this book sounds fascinating. I read Tipping Point and also couldn’t put it down. It sounds like I can skip Blink.
Monica | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I’m very interested in this. I just discovered Malcolm Gladwell.
Gina B. | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I wish I had spent 10,000 hours in my youth doing something other than reading. I mean, I’m glad I had that, but…
Anna | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
Ooooh…this one is on my holiday wish list! Loved Tipping Point (haven’t read Blink, but I own it) and your review of Outliers is enticing. Please consider me in the running for a free copy!
Linda | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I saw him a few years ago after The Tipping Point came out. I liked Blink but not as much as The Tipping Point. Can’t wait to read Outliers. I understand there’s an interesting study in there about Southerners.
Lisa | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I’d love to be entered for this book! It sounds very interesting. I haven’t read any of the other books, but I have them on my to be read list, too.
Rebecca Reid | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
Just by your review my book club is very intrigued and excited at stretching our subject choice to include this book.
Debbie Griffin | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I’d love to own and read this book. I read Blink and find that Mr. Gladwell has some very interesting theories. The whole class/wealth/opportunity issue is something that fascinates me, so enter me please! I’m off to look at your discussion questions.
Jessica | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
Enjoy your new discovery, Gina — like Monica wrote, you may or may not want to skip Blink — so start with Tipping Point (or Outliers, if you win!)
Thanks for the comment!
Kristen | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
You’re in the running, Linda!
Kristen | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
You heard right, Lisa! The chapter on how geography influences our personalities is fascinating…
Kristen | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
You’re in, Rebecca and Jessica!!
Kristen | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
Debbie — Be sure to let me know how the discussion goes… I would love to be a fly on the wall!
Kristen | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I bought the book because I enjoyed Tipping Point but after reading your review I feel that I had better read it before my next flight! I am a pilot that hopes his ethnicity is not the one responsibile for a disproportionate proportion of crashes. Great review!
Greg G. | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
You won, Gina B.! Congratulations!!
Kristen | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I haven’t read Tipping Point, but I enjoyed Blink. I’d love to read Outliers!
Kristi’s last blog post..Review and Free Giveaway: Outliers
Kristi | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
I read Tipping Point and loved it, then i read Blink and i agree Tipping Point is definitely the better read.
I am on pg. 131 on outliers and have missed my subway stop twice because i lost track while i was reading.
Malcolm Gladwell definitely writes a well analysed book but i do wonder if you dig deep enough whether you would find a contradictory data to most (if not all) of his example. If I looked long and hard I could probably find a Chris Langan who was quite success. Thoughts?
JD | Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
Good question, JD — My husband is about 1/2 way through and said, “Isn’t this basically confirming the ‘nature vs. nurture’ debate?” On the other hand, I do think Gladwell includes good data to support his findings. Isn’t that always the rub with human-based studies, that we can’t really have a true control group? Interesting to ponder…
Kristen | Dec 21, 2008 | Reply
I would love to read this book – it looks fascinating. As a teacher, I think that this would be especially interesting reading, as it is our job to try and assist in shaping the future’s of our students, and help them meet with success.
Heather | Jan 4, 2009 | Reply
I agree, Heather! I know the latter chapters were particularly of interest to me as a teacher. Gladwell articulates and proves suspicions I bet most teachers have had… Let me know when you read it!
Kristen | Jan 4, 2009 | Reply
Distilling complexity is what he’s good at and what we all need.
Martin | Jan 12, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for your blog. I got laid off so I would welcome a free copy of Outliers.
thanks
Bob
bob d | Jun 6, 2009 | Reply
I keep trying to finish OUTLIERS. I’ve had it from two libraries, and seem to stall. The premises are very interesting however, so I want to continue, and I hope to share this with my book group and my sons.
Kris | Oct 3, 2009 | Reply
Hi Kris! Here’s a suggestion… when you get bogged down in a place, consider skipping to the next section? Since the premise is the same, you may just be interested in some examples or trends more than others…?
Kristen | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
This sounds like a book not to miss. I had heard on it on NPR, but had forgotten all about it. Thanks for the recommend.
Lois | Oct 14, 2009 | Reply