• The Tipping Point

  • How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
  • By: Malcolm Gladwell
  • Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
  • Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (22,181 ratings)

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The Tipping Point  By  cover art

The Tipping Point

By: Malcolm Gladwell
Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
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Editorial reviews

Why we think it's Essential: Like the best social dynamics professor you never had, Malcolm Gladwell deconstructs a wide range of phenomena (from the reduction of crime in New York to the rise of Sesame Street) to deliver a fascinating understanding of how "social epidemics" spread. And while author/narrators are often a mixed blessing, Gladwell is so friendly and well-paced that I was actually disappointed when The Tipping Point was over. - Ed Walloga

Publisher's summary

From the bestselling author of The Bomber Mafia: discover Malcolm Gladwell's breakthrough debut and explore the science behind viral trends in business, marketing, and human behavior.

The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed bestseller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and brilliantly illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas.

“A wonderful page-turner about a fascinating idea that should affect the way every thinking person looks at the world.” —Michael Lewis

©2007 Malcolm Gladwell (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"History takes on a whole new perspective as he describes events of early America that specifically follow his theories of 'selling the public on an idea' and 'social epidemics.' Feedback from market mavericks further substantiates Gladwell's viewpoints." (AudioFile)

"Gladwell, a New Yorker staff writer, offers an incisive and piquant theory of social dynamics that is bound to provoke a paradigm shift in our understanding of mass behavioral change." (Booklist)

"Hip and hopeful, The Tipping Point is like the idea it describes: concise, elegant, but packed with social power. A book for anyone who cares about how society works and how we can make it better." (George Stephanopoulos)

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Featured Article: 25+ of the Most Insightful Malcolm Gladwell Quotes


Malcolm Gladwell is a renowned journalist, best-selling author, and public speaker. He has penned five New York Times best-selling books and has been included in the TIME 100 Most Influential People list. As an internationally respected thought leader, Gladwell definitely has something to say, and we think his thoughts are worth listening to. We’ve compiled some of Gladwell’s most thought-provoking quotes from his most popular audiobooks.

What listeners say about The Tipping Point

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thoughtfully explained

Audio book is the way to go on this one. Tried to physically read it and it was difficult to get through the 1st chapter, but after listening the way Malcolm Gladwell read it, it is a wealth of information that is thoughtfully explained.

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Insightful

Really love this book! There is a lot to learn from it and apply to marketing or any form of business or even to ones personal life it would be extremely valuable. The insights contained within are worth the few hours of listening ten fold!

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Outstanding ...

Malcolm Gladwell yet again masters the art of writing a book that is worthy of allocating 8+ hours to read... Enthralling and a totally captivating read!

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so much to weigh and consider

Loved this book! I am using it as required summer reading to kick of a high school government class. I am looking forward to the discussion.

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Buy the book instead

Loud and distracting music plays over Malcolm's voice near end of each chapter. The length of time it plays seems inconsistent, but usually over the last paragraph at a minimun. It's loud enough that you cant hear the spoken word in most cases. Also, Malcolm's voice as a reader is different from his conversational tone, making it hard to want to stay engaged. These made me dread finishing this book, when I know Malcolm is a great, insightful writer. Buy the book instead.

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The audiobook enhances the already great book!

I read this book for a school project, and I have to say, I'm glad I did. There is a lot of insightful information about how people work and how their connections to other people work. Not only that, but how the environment can affect people, and other things of that nature. Aside from the contents of the book itself, I really enjoyed Gladwell's reading. I think it made the book more personal. It's well worth a listen.

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interesting anecdotes

Pretty good book. Maintained my interest with constant anecdotes. I struggled to tie the whole thing together.

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A Idea about Ideas.

the tipping point connects to everyone's lives. because of that I think this is a much needed book that shows how data with good motives can change the world around you.

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Beautifully telling

The Tipping Point makes sense and very well could be a worthy reread. Admittedly, I’ve already grown to really like his books. Learning more about what was always just a hunch on how spreadable and idea, trend, movement, etc is feels incredibly satisfying. If you think you get why something works socially vs doesn’t or want some insight into this... give it a listen!

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Fantastic

Read it without dropping it. Finding the relationships between the occurances and social behaivours is emazing.

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