Reviewed by L. Chapman, August 2023
In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell disects what truly contributes to the success of the best and brightest. Contrary to what the majority of people believe, Gladwell sets out to show that success is not truly meritocratic. While merit can contribute to one’s success, the large impacts of family, generation, class, birthplace, and birthdate are all analyzed in Outliers. Through looking at birthdates, Gladwell discovers the self-fulfilling prophecy of Canadian Hockey and how people like Bill Gates and Gilded Age robber barons had advantages others did not possess. Gladwell also uncovers how differences in culture and communication have large impacts as well, from mathematical prowess to plane crashes.
Gladwell approaches each phenomenon with clarity and provides an in-depth history and succinct explanation of each, helping to change what we believe about success.