Outliers: The Story of Success

Malcolm Gladwell

Nov 2008 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by Malcolm Gladwell

About this audiobook

From the bestselling author of The Bomber Mafia, learn what sets high achievers apart—from Bill Gates to the Beatles—in this seminal work from "a singular talent" (New York Times Book Review).

In this stunning book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"—the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different?

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.

Ratings and reviews

Excellent book! Read clearly by author. Lots of examples given to state the author's views and lots of material to think about and read around such as PDI, etc. I'll listen to more of Malcolm's YouTube videos, conversations and interviews. I would love to meet Malcolm in person someday and chat with him over a cup of tea or coffee. Thank you Colin Sinha

A clever and intriguing book that essential gives credit where credit is due on the systemic underlying cultural, societal and temporal nuances that lead to success. Combined with the affinity for hard work, timing and opportunity are much of the reason why success is achievable.

An excellent look into the role that chance plays in success. A great read/listen, especially with Western society's focus on the "self-made" man.

About the author

Malcolm Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers: The Tipping Point,Blink, Outliers,What the Dog Saw, and David and Goliath. He is also the co-founder of Pushkin Industries, an audio content company that produces the podcasts Revisionist History, which reconsiders things both overlooked and misunderstood, and Broken Record, where he, Rick Rubin, and Bruce Headlam interview musicians across a wide range of genres. Gladwell has been included in the Time 100 Most Influential People list and touted as one of Foreign Policy'sTop Global Thinkers.