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The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
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Binding: Audio CD
Dewey Decimal Number: 302
EAN: 9781600240058
Edition: Unabridged
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged
ISBN: 1600240054
Label: Hachette Audio
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageEnglishUnknownEnglishPublished
Manufacturer: Hachette Audio
Number Of Items: 8
Publication Date: April 03, 2007
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Studio: Hachette Audio
Features:- ISBN13: 9781600240058
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Editorial Review:"The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject.For example, Paul Revere was able to galvanize the forces of resistance so effectively in part because he was what Gladwell calls a "Connector": he knew just about everybody, particularly the revolutionary leaders in each of the towns that he rode through. But Revere "wasn't just the man with the biggest Rolodex in colonial Boston," he was also a "Maven" who gathered extensive information about the British. He knew what was going on and he knew exactly whom to tell. The phenomenon continues to this day--think of how often you've received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you.Gladwell develops these and other concepts (such as the "stickiness" of ideas or the effect of population size on information dispersal) through simple, clear explanations and entertainingly illustrative anecdotes, such as comparing the pedagogical methods of Sesame Street and Blue's Clues, or explaining why it would be even easier to play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with the actor Rod Steiger. Although some readers may find the transitional passages between chapters hold their hands a little too tightly, and Gladwell's closing invocation of the possibilities of social engineering sketchy, even chilling, The Tipping Point is one of the most effective books on science for a general audience in ages. It seems inevitable that "tipping point," like "future shock" or "chaos theory," will soon become one of those ideas that everybody knows--or at least knows by name. --Ron Hogan
"The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject. For example, Paul Revere was able to galvanize the forces of resistance so effectively in part because he was what Gladwell calls a "Connector": he knew just about everybody, particularly the revolutionary leaders in each of the towns that he rode through. But Revere "wasn't just the man with the biggest Rolodex in colonial Boston," he was also a "Maven" who gathered extensive information about the British. He knew what was going on and he knew exactly whom to tell. The phenomenon continues to this day--think of how often you've received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you. Gladwell develops these and other concepts (such as the "stickiness" of ideas or the effect of population size on information dispersal) through simple, clear explanations and entertainingly illustrative anecdotes, such as comparing the pedagogical methods of Sesame Street and Blue's Clues, or explaining why it would be even easier to play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with the actor Rod Steiger. Although some readers may find the transitional passages between chapters hold their hands a little too tightly, and Gladwell's closing invocation of the possibilities of social engineering sketchy, even chilling, The Tipping Point is one of the most effective books on science for a general audience in ages. It seems inevitable that "tipping point," like "future shock" or "chaos theory," will soon become one of those ideas that everybody knows--or at least knows by name. --Ron Hogan
Average Rating: 
Rating: -
I call shenanigans on some of the assumptions made in this book, but it's a good, quick read and might change your assumptions about how to approach some problems.
Rating:  -
One of the greatest books I have recently read. This is a real paradigm shifter.
The central argument of the text, is expressed most elegantly in Gladwell's ending,
"Look at the world around you. It may seem like an immovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push - in just the right place - it can be tipped."
Small changes in key variables can make an enormous difference.
Although Gladwell doesn't mention it, tipping points are ... Read More
Rating:  -
Didn't do too much for me. An insightful viewpoint on how the world is connected to one another - but hardly a practical viewpoint. Perhaps it suffices for a light Tuesday afternoon train ride, but don't expect to walk away with some tangible notes on how to reinvent your business, your products, etc. Hardly a business book.
Rating: -
I got this book for my boyfriend as a present, and he started reading it right away. He loves the author
Rating: -
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Actually, I lost my first copy and bought another copy because I wanted to finish it. It makes you look at things in a different way--good read.
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