Malcolm Gladwell Book Recommendations – A List by Blinkist
Many people consider psychology a complicated field with many technical details that are difficult to grasp. But there are a few authors who have mastered the art of simplifying the most complex concepts in psychology, and Malcolm Gladwell is one of them. His style of writing has endeared him to the heart of millions of readers, and most of them often search for Malcolm Gladwell book recommendations, as they believe that the authors of these books share the same trait.
His thought-provoking storytelling style of writing non-fiction provides readers with a clearer insight into human behavior. Malcolm’s writing isn’t limited to psychology. His range spans wide from economics to sociology, history, and other disciplines in humanity science. In the following paragraphs, we will explore Malcolm Gladwell book recommendations, and show you an easy way to read them all.
About Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell is a renowned Canadian journalist, author, and public speaker. He is well-known for his insightful articles and journals on different psychology topics. He was born in Fareham, Hampshire, England on September 3, 1963, but his works have made him a household name among scholars all over the world.
Gladwell became popular for his out-of-the-box thought pattern. His teachings challenge conventions and provide a fresh perspective on understanding mankind, their behavior, and their interaction with each other. He has authored many bestselling books, including The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, David and Goliath, etc.
Malcolm Gladwell’s favorite books cut across different disciplines, including politics, psychology, economics, history, etc.
Our Malcolm Gladwell Book List
The following are Malcolm Gladwell book recommendations across different disciplines.
1. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis
The Blind Side explores the evolution of American football from the point of view of the left tackle position. This non-fiction book tells the story of Michael Oher, a less-privileged black American kid who became an NBA star.
The author highlights the importance of the left tackle position, as one that can significantly affect the game’s outcome if the player can accurately protect the Quarterback’s blind side. He also gives an in-depth story of Michael Oher, his adopted white Tuohy family, and how they navigated through the complexities of race, class, and privilege.
2. Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession by Janet Malcolm
In “Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession”, Janet Malcolm takes us on a walk through the complex field of psychoanalysis. She tours through its history, theory, facets of the practice, and its surrounding controversies. Drawing from a series of case studies and interviews, the author delves into the relationship between the analyst and patients and the intricacies of the recovery process. This book is thought-provoking, easy to grasp, and is one of Malcolm Gladwell’s favorite books because it mirrors his simple writing style.
3. The Person and the Situation by Richard Nisbett and Lee Ross
In this thought-provoking book, Professors Richard Nisbett and Lee Ross examine how our current situation influences our character and behavior. Drawing from years of research and real-world examples, these scholars draw a clear line between situational factors and personality.
The authors present facts to invalidate the general belief that a human’s personality traits are consistent and the sole determinant of their behavior. They, instead, argue that social influence, cultural norms, environmental cues, and other situational factors, play stronger roles in shaping human behavior.
4. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Freakonomics
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Freakonomics follows an unusual approach to explaining the complex relationship between economics and human behavior. They use a combination of data-driven analysis and economic principles to uncover that most human decisions are irrational and counterintuitive.
Applying economic principles, this book covers a wide range of topics including the effects of legalizing abortion, the impacts of drug dealing, cheating among sumo wrestlers, and the relationship between a child’s name and how they turn out in the future. The authors urge readers to question common assumptions, and instead, use principles of economics to decipher human behavior.
5. The Opposable Mind by Roger Martin
In this eye-opening book, Roger Martin explains the concept of integrative thinking and its role in solving a complex problem. In its central idea, The Opposable Mind postulates that the world’s smartest people can hold two contradictory thoughts simultaneously and use them in integrative thinking, which may result in creating an even third option. Using real-world examples in business, politics, and social issues, the author demonstrates how people can leverage integrative thinking in solving complex concerns.
6. Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do by Tom Vanderbilt
In Traffic, Tom Vanderbilt tries to explain that the way we drive and the things we do behind the steering wheels are a potent reflection of whom we truly are. The book sheds light on the psychology behind traffic behaviors like speeding, tailgating, and lane-changing. He explains how cultural and societal norms, alongside personal perception, attention, and decision-making, influence traffic behaviors.
7. Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Taleb
Fooled by Randomness
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Fooled by Randomness challenges our understanding of randomness, risk, and perception of luck and probability. The book opens with the author’s experience as a Wall Street trader, and his encounter with randomness in the financial market. He also explores the concept of “black swans,” which are rare and unpredictable occurrences with impactful consequences. He argues that black swans catch up with us due to our over-reliance on flawed models and predictions which aren’t as effective as we think they are.
8. Nixon Agonistes: The Crisis of the Self-Made Man by Garry Wills
In Nixon Agonistes, Garry Wills critically analyzes the life, career, and personality of America’s 37th president, Richard Nixon. The book explores the factors and events that led to his rise and fall, as well as the challenges he faced as a self-made politician in American politics.
The author also dives into Nixon’s upbringing, his ambitions, the fight with his insecurities, and other facets of his life that built him into the man he became. This is Malcolm Gladwell’s book recommendation on politics, which he would like everyone to read. Its content is related to what you’d find in John Farrell’s Richard Nixon.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Malcolm Gladwell’s book recommendations cuts across philosophy, sociology, politics, and economics. You will find some of these titles and even similar works of literature on Blinkist, the Knowledge App. You should also check out books written by Malcolm Gladwell, and create a playlist of your favorite titles from his collection.
