Best books by Malcolm Gladwell

Reading Malcolm Gladwell offers a new perspective on life and plenty of insights on becoming your better self. Whether you’re familiar with this author’s work or are eager to learn more, you’re in for an exciting experience that offers a twist on popular culture.

This article highlights the best work by Malcolm Gladwell.

Who is Malcolm Gladwell?

Born on September 3, 1663, in London, England, Malcolm Gladwell moved to Ontario, Canada, when he was six years old for his father’s work. He is a Canadian journalist, public speaker, and bestselling author celebrated for his specific views on popular culture.

Gladwell successfully walks along intellectual and popular writing boundaries in his work. At one time, he was a reporter for The Washington Post, covering science and business sections.

Today, Gladwell hosts the podcast Revisionist History and is a New York Times bestseller list author. He is also a staff writer for the New Yorker and one of the most influential people in the world, according to Time magazine.

Malcolm Gladwell’s best books

Outliers: The Story of Success (2008)

In Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm breaks the over-romanticized view of people’s success. He shows that no one is born to become a genius, tycoon, business owner, or rock star. Instead, a series of events, factors, and sometimes luck are responsible.

The author discusses numerous theories and approaches (like the 10,000-hour rule of hard work) that explain how ordinary people do extraordinary things. He uses the examples of Bill Gates, The Beatles, and other self-made individuals and groups.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference (2000)

Malcolm’s first book, The Tipping Point, explains how ideas spread like epidemics. A combination of elements pushes the idea to the point of critical mass, and at this point, the viral effect is unstoppable.

The author focuses on the tipping point, or the moment when the idea, behavior, or trend spreads like wildfire. Like one person can start the flu, one idea can make a product popular, drop crime rates, or start a fashion trend.

Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking (2005)

If you’d like to learn more about decision-making and leadership, this book is for you. If The Tipping Point was about the world around us, The Blink is an exploration of the world within. The idea is that people can think without thinking and make choices in the blink of an eye that are far more complex than they seem.

Ultimately, this book is a story of success and failure. It’s a great book exploring how people’s brains work in different settings.

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants (2013)

David and Goliath examines motivation, success, and adversity in our lives. Using the ancient myth, Malcolm explores the challenges and obstacles we face and how we think about them. If you suffer from any setback in your life, whether physical or emotional, this book can help you overcome your difficulties.

Talking to Strangers (2019)

This book examines how people interact with individuals they don’t know. He touches on famous examples of Fidel Castro and his CIA plot and Neville Chamberlain’s trust in Adolf Hitler. The book also examines the rise of sexual assaults on campuses and the effects of TV series on our social interactions.

Gladwell points out that something is wrong with how we make sense of people we don’t know. As a result, conflict is born.

What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures (2009)

What the Dog Saw is a collection of 19 articles Gladwell published in The New Yorker. The stories have a common theme – they are all seen through a dog’s eyes.

The book comes in three parts. The first part describes individuals who are good at what they do but aren’t famous. The second part treats prediction problems, while the third section discusses sociological and psychological themes.

The Bomber Mafia: A Tale of Innovation and Obsession (2021)

In The Bomber Mafia, Malcolm traces World War II events like the U.S. bombing of Japan (the longest night of the Second World War) and Germany and making them surrender. The book focuses on different inventions the U.S. Air Force used in the war, like napalm, Norden bombsights, and more.

Discover Malcolm Gladwell on Speechify Audiobooks

Malcolm Gladwell books are a must-read for anyone wishing to better understand success, motivation, and modern society. Now you can explore Gladwell’s bestseller books in an easily digestible way thanks to Speechify Audiobooks.

The platform has over 60,000 titles and new books in all genres, including social psychology, Amazon and Goodreads book recommendations, entrepreneur must-reads, and more. Whether you’re into fiction or nonfiction books, you can find a title you like.

Speechify Audiobooks gives full control to the user when it comes to playback speed. The platform is also available as a mobile app to listen to your favorite content on the go.

Learn more about the platform and enjoy your first Gladwell audiobook for free by visiting the official website. 

FAQ

Which Malcolm Gladwell book should I read first?

Malcolm Gladwell books aren’t sequential, so you can pick your favorite title and read that one first. Ultimately, the choice depends on which topic you’re most interested in. The Tipping Point is his most popular work, so you can start from there.

What is Malcolm Gladwell’s best selling book?

Outliers, The Tipping Point, and What the Dog Saw are all bestsellers.

Is it worth it to read Outliers?

Yes, reading Outliers is worth it if you’re interested in topics around success.

Is Blink worth reading?

Blink is an interesting read, and the book has won numerous awards. It’s worth reading, especially according to Amazon and Goodreads reviews.

Why is Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers considered a must-read?

Outliers is a must-read because it shows that the environment, opportunities, and culture are arguably as important as talent when it comes to success. After reading this book, you’ll look at many successful people you admired in a different light.

What other writers should I check out if I like Malcolm Gladwell?

Writers who write like Gladwell include Jonah Berger and Olivier Burkeman. Read Berger’s The Catalyst if you liked The Tipping Point, and Burkeman’s The Antidote if you liked The Blink.