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Outliers: The Story of Success Paperback – June 7, 2011
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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.
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBack Bay Books
- Publication dateJune 7, 2011
- Dimensions5.45 x 1.15 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-100316017930
- ISBN-13978-0316017930
- Lexile measure1080L
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The explosively entertaining Outliers might be Gladwell's best and most useful work yet...There are both brilliant yarns and life lessons here: Outliers is riveting science, self-help, and entertainment, all in one book."―Gregory Kirschling, Entertainment Weekly
"No other book I read this year combines such a distinctive prose style with truly thought-provoking content. Gladwell writes with a high degree of dazzle but at the same time remains as clear and direct as even Strunk or White could hope for."―Atlanta Journal Constitution
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (June 7, 2011)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0316017930
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316017930
- Lexile measure : 1080L
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.45 x 1.15 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

Malcolm Gladwell has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1996. He is the author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw. Prior to joining The New Yorker, he was a reporter at the Washington Post. Gladwell was born in England and grew up in rural Ontario. He now lives in New York.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking. They find the writing style insightful and masterfully combining research and anecdotes in this examination of the factors. The book provides valuable educational insights about success and practical intelligence. Readers describe the pacing as fast and straightforward. They appreciate the quality of the book and consider it a good value for money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the clear writing style that keeps them interested. The book introduces interesting ideas in a fun way. Readers also mention that each chapter is well-structured and builds on the previous one.
"...Brilliant and entertaining, Outliers is a landmark work that not only delights but also enlightens readers about the intricate web of influences..." Read more
"...I think that is a mistake. This is simply a fine book, a very thoughtful and easy read...." Read more
"...Another powerful theme in the book is the arbitrary nature of opportunity...." Read more
"...when explaining outstanding if not simply awe inspiring talent and success across an astonishing range of endeavors...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and interesting. They say it blends research and anecdotes in examining the factors of success. The book opens their eyes to aspects of success they had previously not considered. Readers appreciate the well-researched and enjoyable reading experience.
"...Brilliant and entertaining, Outliers is a landmark work that not only delights but also enlightens readers about the intricate web of influences..." Read more
"...It offers some interesting perspectives about what makes some people more successful than others, with particular emphasis on those who far exceed..." Read more
"...is less about innate talent and more about opportunity, cultural legacy, and sheer luck—all meticulously explored through fascinating case studies..." Read more
"...Mr. Gladwell is a master researcher who knows how to go the extra distance allowing him to connect multiple dots across cultural boundaries and..." Read more
Customers find the book informative. It explains the anatomy of achievement and explores education. They appreciate Gladwell's emphasis on practical intelligence and hard work. The information is useful for parents and anyone with ambition to achieve more.
"...the paths of software billionaires, the training regimes that cultivate great soccer players, the reasons behind the mathematical prowess often..." Read more
"...Makes school meaningful. Incentives, rewards, fun and discipline is the formula. A terrific book." Read more
"In Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell dissects the anatomy of achievement, revealing a narrative that transcends the conventional myth..." Read more
"...scientific information, but also making it enjoyable and easier for most people to pick up...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's pacing. They find it engaging and a quick read. The writing style is straightforward and the 10,000-hour practice rule is highlighted.
"Came in a very good and timely manner. Was very insightful" Read more
"...'s written in a manner that keeps the reader interested and moving through it quickly...." Read more
"...He makes a compelling case about luck, timing--and the extraordinary power of the 10,000-hour rule and how it contributed to the success of Bill..." Read more
"...spoil it, but it will make you want to start grinding and getting your 10,000 hours in...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's sturdiness. They say it arrived in good condition, with the quality being satisfactory. The examples are well-rounded and of successful people.
"...The quality of the actual physical book was great and it has no tears, wasn’t written in, and nothing to note that was bad about it. Great buy!" Read more
"...The examples are strong, well rounded and of very successful people..." Read more
"...locate at independent bookstores so I was able to find it used in good condition by this seller...." Read more
"Came in Good condition 👌🏽..." Read more
Customers find the book offers good value for money. They say it's worth the price, comes in better condition than expected, and is a good buy from Amazon. Readers appreciate that the book provides useful information without excessive words or numbers at the end.
"...THAT is the real value of his books. And he has a damnably engaging style of writing...." Read more
"...It's definitely worth the Kindle price I paid. I am now a fan of this author." Read more
"...with regard to every aspect- cat appeal, construction and durability, cost and the fact it does not take up a lot of space...." Read more
"...role over these outliers and how that came about was well worth the price of the book." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's accuracy. Some find the data interesting and backed up with numbers and statistics. Others feel the author's conclusions are based on less scientific analyses, incomplete evidence, and inaccurate statistics. The book is supported by few credible sources and has incomplete and downright inaccurate statistics.
"...With his signature blend of storytelling and data analysis, Gladwell argues that success is less about innate talent and more about opportunity,..." Read more
"...Negative -- excessively so. Human deaths are treated like numbers, lives categorized as "success" or "failure" as if no shade of gray existed...." Read more
"...Finally, the book tackles an exceptional population...." Read more
"...In the end, this is a worthy book, a little over-argued but valid in its effort to emphasize the role that history and culture make in creating..." Read more
Customers find the book unengaging and lacking rigor. They feel it lacks genuine progression of thought and fails to persuade them. The argument is not compelling, and the book views success as predetermined. Overall, customers feel the book is a waste of time and seem dull at first.
"...These events marked the beginning of a long scholastic career of underachievement, contempt of authority, and befuddled administrators who weren't..." Read more
"...It was hard to get interested or invested in these stories because (a.) I knew these people were going to die, and (b.) there wasn't even the..." Read more
"...One vignette in this book is not a success story, the one told in the chapter "The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 2."..." Read more
"...is quite adept at anecdotal story telling and is much less adept at statistical analysis...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Loving this book so far!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2024In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell embarks on a thought-provoking exploration of the factors that contribute to extraordinary success. Through captivating stories and insightful analysis, he challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding high achievers by emphasizing the significance of their backgrounds—cultures, families, generations, and unique experiences—rather than solely focusing on individual traits.
Gladwell delves into a variety of intriguing case studies, revealing how circumstances and opportunities shape success. He examines the paths of software billionaires, the training regimes that cultivate great soccer players, the reasons behind the mathematical prowess often attributed to Asian students, and the factors that propelled The Beatles to rock band royalty.
Brilliant and entertaining, Outliers is a landmark work that not only delights but also enlightens readers about the intricate web of influences that foster exceptional achievement. This book encourages us to reconsider our understanding of success and the vast array of elements that contribute to becoming an outlier in any field.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2008"Outliers", like other Gladwell books, is very enjoyable. It offers some interesting perspectives about what makes some people more successful than others, with particular emphasis on those who far exceed expectations. Many of the book's criticisms focus on what the book is not. I think that is a mistake. This is simply a fine book, a very thoughtful and easy read. The book goes into how one's ethnic roots and specific opportunities set the stage for dramatic success, then working hard takes over. For example:
1. An ancestral emphasis on community involvement can lead to health results which beat the odds.
2. The date of one's birth can affect athletic and academic success, as the oldest in a group of youth, will lead to the 'Matthew Effect', better coaching/teaching, more games/practice, etc. There is an accumulative advantage. On a list of the wealthiest people of all-time, besides opportunity showing up with so many from America, among that group, being born around 1835 and around 1955 stand out, to take advantage of when railroads and Wall Street emerged and when computer time-sharing emerged, respectively.
3. The 10,000 hour rule. Gladwell thinks about 10,000 hours of concentrating at a skill is necessary to excel at something.
4. Whether it is height in basketball or IQ, just being tall enough or intelligent enough is all that really matters, same with colleges as long as they are good enough. Practical intelligence, knowledge and savvy are what really counts and family background is the key to having those. Parents should be involved with their children, with lots of negotiating and expectations of child talk-back, necessary to cause a child to develop a sense of entitlement, maybe not the most moral approach, but extreme success madates that.
5. Jewish immigrants had advantage of occupational skills, like in the garment industry - enterpreneurial skills versus other immigrants like peasant farmers. Work was more meaningful. Their offspring saw this, plus NYC public schools were probably the best in the world at the time.
6. Harlan, Kentucky is an example of herdsmen settlers, with a culture of honor from Scotch-Irish ancestors, influenced descendants, Gladwell saying that crime in the South more influenced more by personal than economic reasons. Certain 'insult' words have bigger effect.
7. Plane crashes are more from human errors in teamwork and communication. Cultural respect for authority a big factor; can keep a subordinate from directing a superior in an emergency. Plus, 'mitigated speech' can be a problem. Can be remedied by training in 'Aviation English'.
8. Asians being better in Math, likely related to ancestral tradition of rice paddies, which are complicated and require hard work throughout the year. Western farming is more mechanical with usually an off-season with little work. Here again, more meaningful and hard work. Plus, Asians learn to count faster because of language differences for numbers.
9. K.I.P.P. Academy in the Bronx, charter middle school, is successful because it has long school days and short summer vacations, with students who commit to work hard. Studies have shown schools generally do well when they are in session, the problem are kids losing ground without good parental involvement during summer vacation. So, it is possible to make up for poor childhood family situations. Makes school meaningful. Incentives, rewards, fun and discipline is the formula.
A terrific book.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2024In Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell dissects the anatomy of achievement, revealing a narrative that transcends the conventional myth of individual genius. With his signature blend of storytelling and data analysis, Gladwell argues that success is less about innate talent and more about opportunity, cultural legacy, and sheer luck—all meticulously explored through fascinating case studies and compelling evidence.
At the heart of Outliers is the provocative idea that success is not solely the result of personal effort but the culmination of circumstances. Gladwell introduces the “10,000-Hour Rule,” positing that mastery in any field requires a staggering investment of deliberate practice. Through the stories of The Beatles and Bill Gates, he shows how access to unique opportunities—like time on stage or early exposure to programming—combined with relentless practice, laid the foundation for their extraordinary success. While the concept has sparked debates and nuanced discussions, Gladwell’s emphasis on the interplay between effort and opportunity is undeniably persuasive.
What makes Outliers especially engaging is its exploration of how cultural context shapes success. Gladwell highlights the role of family, community, and historical timing in forging high achievers. For instance, the impact of the Korean Air crash investigations, where cultural attitudes toward authority played a role, showcases how deeply ingrained behaviors can influence outcomes. Similarly, he examines how rice farming traditions shaped the work ethic and mathematical prowess of certain Asian cultures, offering an insightful lens into how heritage can shape modern success.
Another powerful theme in the book is the arbitrary nature of opportunity. Gladwell sheds light on the “Matthew Effect” (success begets success), using examples like Canadian hockey players born in the early months of the year who benefit from age cut-offs in youth leagues. Such examples force readers to confront the systemic biases embedded in education, sports, and work structures—biases that often determine who gets a head start and who does not.
Despite its strengths, Outliers does face some criticisms. Gladwell’s narrative-driven approach, while compelling, sometimes oversimplifies complex phenomena. His tendency to cherry-pick anecdotes to fit his thesis leaves some readers yearning for a deeper dive into counterexamples or opposing theories. Yet, the book’s real value lies in sparking a conversation about how we define and cultivate success.
In the end, Outliers challenges us to rethink the “self-made” myth, urging us to consider the external forces that elevate some while marginalizing others. It’s a book that doesn’t just aim to inform but also provokes self-reflection. Are we creating systems that recognize and nurture hidden talent? Are we acknowledging the invisible advantages some enjoy?
Gladwell’s Outliers is more than a book about success; it’s a mirror reflecting society’s hidden structures and biases. It’s thought-provoking, unsettling, and inspiring—a must-read for anyone curious about what truly lies behind the stories of extraordinary achievement.
Top reviews from other countries
- bobbyReviewed in Canada on January 17, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Book
Well written book with deep insights. This book helped me in my career advancement.
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LauraReviewed in Mexico on November 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesante, abre tu mente
Increible libro, para entender cómo es que unos tienen éxito y otros no. Los factores y muchas historias al respecto.
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Renata P.Reviewed in Brazil on November 5, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Entrega ótima. Produto perfeito.
Entrega ótima e produto perfeito.
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DomenicoReviewed in Italy on February 13, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Consigliato
Libro scritto benissimo e molto scorrevole. Ti fa sentire più intelligente leggendolo.
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alexandre bohasReviewed in France on January 29, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Très satisfaisant
Article conforme à annoncé, bon état et arrivée de celui-ci avant la date prévu. Super !