The Tipping Point

Nick's Review

This book is a must-read ahead of the release of Malcolm Gladwell's provocative and fascinating new book Revenge of the Tipping Point.

Malcolm Gladwell’s book The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, deals with the unexpected consequences for marketing in business. Published in 2000, and now standard reading for people interested in marketing, the book is based on Gladwell’s research into the science and psychology of the proliferation of ideas. He is particularly interested in exploring the concept of the ‘tipping point,’ which has become synonymous with other catechisms of MBA graduate faith like ‘Blue Ocean Strategy’ or ‘Black Swan Event.’

In this informative and authoritative book, Gladwell discusses how the concept of the tipping point, borrowed from epidemiology, is analogous to the way a virus spreads, reaches a critical mass, spreads exponentially and ultimately becomes an epidemic. He demonstrates how this phenomenon also applies to ideas and societal trends, which can spread rapidly once they reach a certain threshold.

Using meticulous research, interviews and data on human social behaviour and habits, Gladwell illustrates the intriguing social forces behind the viral spread of ideas and trends. The illustrations are similarly interesting and are woven into stories across time from Paul Revere’s ride, the marketing of Hush Puppies, and the contemporary stories of Roald Dahl.

An excellent book which is still very relevant in today’s world.

About Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell, a Canadian journalist, writer, and speaker, has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1996. With seven published books, he is also the co-founder of podcast company Pushkin Industries and host of the popular podcast Revisionist History. Gladwell was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2011.

Other Reviews

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, Former White House Communications Director

A wonderful page-turner about a fascinating idea that should affect the way every thinking person thinks about the world - Michael Lewis, author of LIAR'S POKER

Genuinely fascinating and frequently startling . . . The kind of book from which you'll be regaling your friends with intriguing snippets for weeks to come - SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

A wonderfully offbeat study of that little-understood phenomenon, the social epidemic - DAILY TELEGRAPH

Other Useful Resources

See Malcolm Gladwell's podcast on Revisionist History:

 https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/revisionist-history

Other great books from Malcolm Gladwell