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 a few authors have mastered the art of simplifying the most complex concepts in psychology, and Malcolm Gladwell is one of them. His writing style has endeared him to the hearts 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 worldwide.

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 disciplines, including politics, psychology, economics, history, etc.

Our Malcolm Gladwell Book List

The following are Malcolm Gladwell’s 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, which 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 the complexities of race, class, and privilege.

2. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

Freakonomics follows an unusual approach to explaining the complex relationship between economics and human behavior. They combine 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Taleb

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 that aren’t as effective as we think.

6. 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 simultaneously hold two contradictory thoughts and use them in integrative thinking, which may create 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.

7. Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do by Tom Vanderbilt

In Traffic, Tom Vanderbilt explains that the way we drive and the things we do behind the steering wheels are a potent reflection of who 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, personal perception, attention, and decision-making influence traffic behaviors.

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 and 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 our collection “Books written by Malcolm Gladwell” and this list by Most Recommended Books, and create a playlist of your favorite titles from his collection.