Not the most compelling MG book Ive read

I am a huge Malcolm Gladwell content fan. However, I have to say that I enjoyed this book the least out of all of the MG books I have read/listened to. Positives: I always appreciate Malcom narrating his own audio books - first class. I was hugely excited by the novelty of including actual recordings in the book i.e. hearing quotes from the very sources themselves and making it into a kind of podcast on steriods. I think this was novel and a front runner of how future audio books of this nature will evolve. Full marks here. I enjoyed the high pace and reporting style which the book follows, which aligns to previous MG book formula. Thought provoking. Negatives: The subject and the stories while interesting did not make a convincing argument for me. In comparison to how compelling the subjects, theories and arguments in the stories of Blink, David and Goliath and Tipping Point were, this is not in the same league. I found the argument tenuous at best. I think the stories were compelling because of their emotive and moral shock value, but the arguments put forward as to why these happened were not convincing ... they almost had a 'conspiracy theory' quality to them. I was hoping for more sources, better examples, less repetition on for example 'default to truth theory' and a clearer and more compelling link and argument. It was however, thought provoking which is I would imagine always an author's objective. I still remain a fan, and continue to look forward to all of Malcolm Gladwell's content - one to mention, is that I am well into season 4 of Revisionist History and love the subject matter and format of these episodes.

9 people found this helpful

Disappointing

The book delivers none of Gladwell's usual magic of describing a handful of unexamined historical events, and rendering their connection visible in a way that brilliantly supports his thesis. Instead, he recites a string of anecdotes, only to give the most obvious of pronouncements with a self-congratulary smirk. We often get people wrong. We assume people tell the trust most of the time. It is politically problematic to the point of needing a trigger warning. Brock Turner is said to have raped an unconscious girl due to inebriation. The catalyst for Sandra Bland's death was not police brutality, but a miscommunication. I enjoyed a few of his other books far too much to be able to finish this one.

7 people found this helpful

"dangerous bullshit"

One online reviewer wrote that whilst Gladwell's premise is compelling, his rambling and digressing zig-zagging between cases contains a lot of "dangerous bullshit". I would agree. The opening passages about how Cuban spies rode roughshod with the CIA are entertaining, the message that not everyone functions according to the same parameters is useful, and the observation that our brain is a bit lazy and defaults to the easiest option follows. The latter two points have been made more thoroughly, comprehensively, and knowledgeably by Daniel Kahneman in 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' and Lisa Feldman Barret in 'How Emotions Are Made' - both excellent listens on Audible. Gladwell then goes on to say that to tackle sexual abuse on campuses, the excessive consumption of alcohol should be problematised, because it could lead to misreadings in highly sexualised environments such as frat parties. He off-handedly notes that respect for women could form part of that conversation, but that alcohol importantly inhibits our ability to read strangers. It is almost akin to opening a category of 'accidental sexual assault' because of intoxication. It is not like an orange juice could be spiked by someone who is sober and intentional... He also concludes that Sandra Bland's arrest was in part due to her behaviour being 'mismatched' or 'intransparent' - an innocent person's annoyance misinterpreted to be a sign of guilt by a cop trained to do his job and be suspicious. He mentions briefly that the case formed part of what gave rise to Balck Lives Matter, but eschews institutional racism entirely. In short, this is a book of a charlatan. He somewhat copies what serious scientists like Kahneman and Feldman Barrett have stated, and supports it with a meandering number of ill-fitting anecdotes that only work by selectively choosing perspectives or suspending better judgement, not to speak of any scientific rigour. And en passant, they undermine attempts to engage with institutional or engrained sexism, racism, and abuses of power. Dangerous bullshit.

4 people found this helpful

Book version of Ira Glass's This American

Loved the way Mr. Gladwell brought relevant facts and stories pertaining to the Sandra Bland tragedy. He builds and pulls from Friends, Amanda Knox, and other bits to remind us of the danger of societal stereotypes and acceptance of simple explanations without digging deeper to understand people not like us. This is my favorite of all his books I have read to date.

2 people found this helpful

Amazing performance

I listened to it every morning for about 10 days while out for my cycle route and looked forward to each session. The format is unique, the excerpts from real people in the stories were amazing. Janelle Monae was chilling as she said say their name each time. This is a once in a lifetime listen. Thank you Malcolm and all that performed in this amazing work.

Fantastic.

Loved it from beginning to end. Not only is the book itself brilliant and so informative but the way it is read with actors and music made it so enjoyable to listen to and absorb. This is the future of audio books surely

Thought provoking

Highlighted critical blindspots! Enjoyed Malcolm's storytelling. He captured my attention and I just wanted to hear more.

Important

This is one of the most important books ever. I fear not enough people will read it and take it to heart.

Engaging, well structured, deep topic exploration

As my headlines says, that's it. But that, we already knew from the author's previous work. But this idea of audio records in the middle of the book is just setting me on fire, like we are experiencing it live. And then, he goes on commenting it. Talking to strangers is definitely a critical challenge. I had to learn it when I started freelancing remotely. I found this even more insightful as I am now a stranger and my company doesn't seem to train their HR & managers to talking to strangers. It generates lot of misunderstanding and quarrels with hierarchy with strangers from all origins, especially black ones. Thank you, Malcolm for this incredible work. I look forward to sharing it all around me.

Even if you’ve read the book, listen to this.

A fresh spin on an already fantastic piece of writing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. Very engaging and gripping style.