In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell posits that there are certain phenomena in society that reach a “tipping point” after which they undergo rapid and widespread change. To explain this concept, he uses examples such as the rise of teenage smoking in the early 1990s and the popularity of Hush Puppies shoes among young people in 1996. Gladwell’s main argument is that it only takes a small amount of time for something to become popular once it reaches its tipping point. He also believes that those who are responsible for bringing about these changes (i.e., “innovators”) possess particular characteristics that set them apart from the rest of society.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who are interested in business and careers. It provides a detailed analysis of how certain phenomena reach a tipping point and become popularized.
Pros :
- The author writes in a very engaging, easy-to-read style.
- The book is chock full of interesting examples and case studies.
- Gladwell provides readers with a wealth of information on how to create, spread and capitalize on trends.
Cons :
- The Tipping Point is not particularly well written.
- Gladwell’s examples are sometimes dated or irrelevant.
- The book contains little original research.
Learn more about the author
Malcolm Gladwell is a journalist and author. He has worked for The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and CNN.
Reader Reviews
“An insightful book that discusses the concept of “
“Simply put, Malcolm Gladwell is one darn good writer. With The Tipping Point he’s outdone himself by taking on a dizzying array of topics and making them all flow together in an easy-to-read style that makes you think.”
“Malcolm Gladwell is a genius and this book is amazing. It really opened my eyes to the concept of the tipping point and how it applies to everything in life.”
“Malcolm Gladwell is one of the most interesting and original thinkers of our time.”
