Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was more like a 4.5. It was suuuuuper interesting. I enjoyed the variety of case studies the author provided in order to get his main theme across. The main theme being that success is achieved through more than "just" hard work and innate talent. It's also about having the right opportunities. It's funny how I feel about this theme because one part of me thinks, oh yeah, that makes sense. Like Bill Gates and the other computer guy, Bill Joy, the creator of Sun Microsystems. They both had amazing opportunities that allowed them to hone their talent and interests in "computers." Not that they weren't incredibly hard working or smart, but that they also had tools (huge computers) available to them at a time when only a small percentage of the country did. That factor played a big part in them getting a leg up in their industry. That all makes sense. However, the other part of me, the part that believes that America is the country of opportunity, doesn't like the author's theme. Specifically, that success, in part, is based on a factor that you cannot control (what opportunities are available to you). I don't want to believe that. At least I want to always think that where there is a will there is a way. That you can push and work your way to where you want to be even if you don't have incredible opportunities available to you. That you make the opportunities happen for yourself. Ahhh, yes, I know it's a very "romantic" and unrealistic notion about America, but I can't help it...



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