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5.5k reviews for:
Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know
Malcolm Gladwell
3.83 AVERAGE
5.5k reviews for:
Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know
Malcolm Gladwell
3.83 AVERAGE
It's hard to quantify how much I love Malcolm gladwell's work. It is always thought provoking, often riveting, and incisively nuanced in perspective. Perhaps because of its particular focus on the incidence surrounding the death of Sandra Bland, and other aspects of the legal system, it is of the utmost importance for people who interface with the law particularly as agents of the law to read this book.
challenging
informative
informative
medium-paced
This book was on a list of recommended audiobooks. It's narrated by the author, but it features sound clips, interviews, and music, and it's really interesting to listen to! My favorite story featured was the story behind Sandra Bland's arrest and death and the events/emotions surrounding that tragedy.
Content Warning: pedophilia, sexual assault
I wasn’t very impressed by this book unfortunately. I had a hard time following Gladwell’s argument past the mentions of Jerry Sandusky and Larry Nassar. I understand that he says we can’t assume things about people we don’t know based off something like their appearance or the way we perceive them on a first impression. With that being said, I think you can and absolutely SHOULD assume something about seeing a retired football coach in a shower with a young boy compared to a Black woman driving her car (Sandra Bland).
I wasn’t very impressed by this book unfortunately. I had a hard time following Gladwell’s argument past the mentions of Jerry Sandusky and Larry Nassar. I understand that he says we can’t assume things about people we don’t know based off something like their appearance or the way we perceive them on a first impression. With that being said, I think you can and absolutely SHOULD assume something about seeing a retired football coach in a shower with a young boy compared to a Black woman driving her car (Sandra Bland).
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Well, this book is uncomfortable to read. It’s filled with questions, judgments, and miscommunications. Real life cases are showcased and analyzed. Some hit hard and make you think, while others leave you wondering, 'why were they even added?'.
The storytelling feels non linear, and in a non fiction case study book like this, ends up being confusing. It does make you think and question your assumptions about people. But the way it's presented as a whole isn’t the best.
The storytelling feels non linear, and in a non fiction case study book like this, ends up being confusing. It does make you think and question your assumptions about people. But the way it's presented as a whole isn’t the best.
Malcolm Gladwell’s narration adds a personal touch, making the complex and sometimes uncomfortable stories feel more relatable. His voice helpsnavigate the nonlinear storytelling, even when the structure felt a bit scattered.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Well, this book is uncomfortable to read. It’s filled with questions, judgments, and miscommunications. Real life cases are showcased and analyzed. Some hit hard and make you think, while others leave you wondering, 'why were they even added?'.
The storytelling feels non linear, and in a non fiction case study book like this, ends up being confusing. It does make you think and question your assumptions about people. But the way it's presented as a whole isn’t the best.
The storytelling feels non linear, and in a non fiction case study book like this, ends up being confusing. It does make you think and question your assumptions about people. But the way it's presented as a whole isn’t the best.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This was an interesting and engaging book to read! I like Gladwell’s writing style. It is very easy to read for nonfiction, and I think for people who don’t read a lot of nonfiction, he outlines and integrates his main ideas in a way that is helpful for comprehension. I also found a lot of the studies and theories in this book very intriguing, and some of the ideas I’m sure I will remember for a long time! I did, however, think like there was a lack of analysis of the role that biases like racism and sexism play when we interact with strangers, but in the afterword it sounded like that might be more a focus in ‘Blink,’ so I might have to read that one too. Still, I feel like there is important context that is being blatantly ignored in some of the arguments and examples. Although I don’t think this was the most profound book in the world, it was definitely a worthwhile read!
Insightful and interesting but more cautionary than his other books.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced