Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Book Review

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is a nonfiction book that explores why some people are more successful than others. And it is surprisingly engaging! I typically read books of fiction, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I picked up Outliers, but within the first 30 pages I found a refreshing, encouraging energy that I have been able to directly apply to my own life.

Achieving success at the level of Bill Gates or a professional sports star seems like an impossible task, but Mr. Gladwell pulls the statistical outliers together to help us understand what brought these successful people to their pinnacle of achievement. I started the book off believing that these superstars have something different from everyone else or that they were just incredibly lucky. But after taking a look at the steps that brought about so overwhelming success, it becomes obvious that there actually are some very specific things that can enable a person to become successful. To become an outlier. A statistical marvel.

Mr. Gladwell’s analysis of the characteristics of success is an uplifting and motivational essay. I’m still just another latter climbing dreamer, but when you breakdown the steps and process of a successful individual’s journey, the sky doesn’t seem quite as high as it used to. That mountain, not as steep.

Rating: 7 out 10

Be sure and pick up Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell on November 18th at your local bookstore or at my favorite bookstore, Amazon.