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Outliers  By  cover art

Outliers

By: Malcolm Gladwell
Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
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Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of The Bomber Mafia, learn what sets high achievers apart - from Bill Gates to the Beatles - in this seminal work from "a singular talent" (New York Times Book Review).

In this stunning audiobook, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers" - the best and the brightest, the most famous, and the most successful. He asks the question: What makes high-achievers different?

His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: That is, their culture, their family, their generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing. Along the way he explains the secrets of software billionaires, what it takes to be a great soccer player, why Asians are good at math, and what made the Beatles the greatest rock band.

Brilliant and entertaining, Outliers is a landmark work that will simultaneously delight and illuminate.

©2008 Malcom Gladwell (P)2008 Hachette Audio

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What listeners say about Outliers

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Well worth the reminder

I enjoyed this book and agree with its basic premises. (I do take issue with the broad brush assertion that "middle class" parents provide better upbringing for their children than "poorer class" parents, with lifelong detrimental consequenses. I've seen examples of unsuccessful parenting from all classes of our society.) But this is a very good book and well narrated. None of us do it alone.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Honestly, One of the Best Books I Ever Heard

This is fascinating. It doesn't drag and you might learn or be reminded of a thing or two.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An intellectual but incredibly insightful perspective

An amazing and insightful perspective on how various factors shape and afford successful people opportunities to achieve. This may be the best book that I’ve heard in a few years. Gladwell has incredible understanding of how history and statistical processes shape ones life and opportunity.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyed Gladwell reading Gladwell

What did you love best about Outliers?

The emphasis on luck, fortune, and the kindness of others in our success. It's so important, especially in these scroogey political times, to realize how an individual's success is a product of factors that we, as a society, can help contribute if only we are open-hearted enough to do so.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It was fascinating to hear the theory of how parents shape a child's relationship to authority and institutions.

What does Malcolm Gladwell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoy his voice. Since he wrote the words, he knows how best to emphasize them. He does this to good effect when stating the birth dates of Silicon Valley pioneers, to mention a particular example.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The stories were all interesting and thought provoking. I will be thinking about Gladwell's theories for a while. Feudal serfs v. rice farmers, for example. The history of his own mother's family was particularly moving.

Any additional comments?

My college-aged son recommended this book. We talked about Gladwell's implied definition of success and whether or not it was valid for each us, personally. This book contains many jumping off points for meaningful conversations. I look forward to reading his other books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing and fascinating!

An amazingly informative and articulate explanation of why I will never achieve success at the highest level.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enriching!

It was a very enlightening experience, reading the book. A worthwhile read, time well spent. I like the thorough research and conclusions reached.
Well done!





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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very recommended, full of interesting life stories

Gives a good idea on what is on our part to succeed and what depends on social, geographical and timing circumstances.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Opportunity and not Hard work is the key to succes

What did you love best about Outliers?

The stunning examples that show our system is setup to fail
schools, cut off dates etc

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very revealling!

Malcolm Gladwell has the incredible talent of revealing the truth of why some people are successful and others are not. I highly recommend this book, in addition to any of his other works. He takes a topic or a story and discovers its true nature. His books are educational, enlightening, and entertaining.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

must read

loved it. educational and inspiring. easy to finish. should be in everyone's library. the audio version is easy to listen to as well.

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