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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
Interesting concept but it felt poorly connected. And lacked a big reveal of overarching connection of themes that was definitely expected based on the entire premise of the book.
I’m pretty surprised this book is as popular and well rated as it is. I enjoyed parts of this book, namely the historical background of world leaders’ relationships with Hitler and the Cuban CIA double agent, which shed light on pieces of history I was not previously aware of. However, the majority of the book was pretty painful to read and felt like a defense of some reprehensible acts done by some pretty reprehensible people e.g. Larry Nassar, Brock Turner, Brian Encinia, Jerry Sandusky. I thought at first that maybe i was missing the point, but the more I thought about it the more I decided that Gladwell used really awful examples in trying to get his point across. Why use convicted murderers and rapists to illustrate to the readers that people
have a natural inclination as human beings to assume people tell the truth? Most of his examples seemed like such a stretch to me and I just could not get past it enough to feel this was a valuable read.
have a natural inclination as human beings to assume people tell the truth? Most of his examples seemed like such a stretch to me and I just could not get past it enough to feel this was a valuable read.
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This was FASCINATING. It really forces you to consider the difficulties of living in a society where morality isn’t black & white. When we have to make a judgment on someone, especially a stranger, what do we do & how do we do it?
(Lots of trigger warnings, including suicide, sexual assault/abuse, torture, terrorism, & police brutality.)
(Lots of trigger warnings, including suicide, sexual assault/abuse, torture, terrorism, & police brutality.)
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I listened to the audiobook, which was so well done—there were excerpts, recorded interviews, recorded speeches, interesting anecdotes. Not 5 stars for me, because I don’t think I was fully convinced by the author’s argument, but it was certainly fascinating.
*Audiobook review*
Prior to reading this book, I was under the impression that this book would act as a “Talk to Strangers for Dummies: How to stop being socially inept and anxious and learn tried and true conversation methods of charming, sociable people” type of guide. I was wrong.
The book uses case studies and stories to approach the intersection of nuanced realities: humanity’s hardwired “default-to-truth” nature, facing deception, and the outcomes that result from varying degrees of these attitudes in people.
Gladwell’s main thesis focuses on the case of Sandra Bland, while the other stories acting as supplementary evidence to support his claim. Ranging from the Sandusky case to Sylvia Plath, he explores the decisions that people make to reach points of misjudgment. He explains that some people are guided largely by the “default-to-truth” perspective, others rely on hard facts and evidence only, and how most people fluctuate in the middle. He describes the inefficiencies and efficacies that come with both, providing ample evidence to support each perspective. Further, he explores how the context in which people reside and make decisions can be wildly influential on the outcomes of those decisions (the case of Plath and Carbon Monoxide).
However, he ultimately concludes that, talking to strangers is a nuanced art rather than a science. There is no foolproof method of accurately discerning the intentions of others from the environment, their words, and even their behavior. For people in positions of power (such as Officer Encinia), it is imperative to approach strangers with awareness of nuance coupled with context as well as manage one’s own expectations of how people should act.
Although I found the book a little directionless at times, I think it is a well-deserved read or listen. It is especially effective at unpacking the interactions between objective evidence and subjective experience through actual examples and an excerpts. While I do feel like he could have elaborated more on the historical context and precedent that led to Sandra Bland’s case, I think he was effective in his effort to provide some reasoning behind the unfortunate events of that day.
*Note: I see many reviews are bashing Galdwell’s use of sexual assault cases in support of his argument. As usual, please be mindful of your own traumas prior to reading books that touch on those subjects. Unhealed wounds are easy to fester.
Prior to reading this book, I was under the impression that this book would act as a “Talk to Strangers for Dummies: How to stop being socially inept and anxious and learn tried and true conversation methods of charming, sociable people” type of guide. I was wrong.
The book uses case studies and stories to approach the intersection of nuanced realities: humanity’s hardwired “default-to-truth” nature, facing deception, and the outcomes that result from varying degrees of these attitudes in people.
Gladwell’s main thesis focuses on the case of Sandra Bland, while the other stories acting as supplementary evidence to support his claim. Ranging from the Sandusky case to Sylvia Plath, he explores the decisions that people make to reach points of misjudgment. He explains that some people are guided largely by the “default-to-truth” perspective, others rely on hard facts and evidence only, and how most people fluctuate in the middle. He describes the inefficiencies and efficacies that come with both, providing ample evidence to support each perspective. Further, he explores how the context in which people reside and make decisions can be wildly influential on the outcomes of those decisions (the case of Plath and Carbon Monoxide).
However, he ultimately concludes that, talking to strangers is a nuanced art rather than a science. There is no foolproof method of accurately discerning the intentions of others from the environment, their words, and even their behavior. For people in positions of power (such as Officer Encinia), it is imperative to approach strangers with awareness of nuance coupled with context as well as manage one’s own expectations of how people should act.
Although I found the book a little directionless at times, I think it is a well-deserved read or listen. It is especially effective at unpacking the interactions between objective evidence and subjective experience through actual examples and an excerpts. While I do feel like he could have elaborated more on the historical context and precedent that led to Sandra Bland’s case, I think he was effective in his effort to provide some reasoning behind the unfortunate events of that day.
*Note: I see many reviews are bashing Galdwell’s use of sexual assault cases in support of his argument. As usual, please be mindful of your own traumas prior to reading books that touch on those subjects. Unhealed wounds are easy to fester.
I love Gladwell's writing and love his podcast, too. This is a perfect combination of both. Parts of the audiobook were really enhanced with the addition of his new-found style, but some parts got to be a bit labored and long for me. It's hard to not give Gladwell a five, but I think at this point I am comparing Gladwell to Gladwell. It wasn't his best, but you won't regret listening to or reading it.