Helpful Score: 9
This book sat on my bookshelf for a few months before I picked it up and started reading. Once I got started, I was hooked. The chapters flowed smoothly and the information was presented in a story like format. What a relief to learn that too much information clogs up your ability to make a good decision. I also really enjoyed the chapter describing speed dating and how people choose a date. Never dry and boring; I'd recommend this book
Helpful Score: 7
The first half of this book is excellent ... a fascinating look at the way we think, make decisions, and process our unconscious thoughts. But it gets bogged down about midway, with examples that are way too long and complicated. It's almost as if he said what he wanted to say in the beginning, then had to pad the book in order to make it long enough. Still, worth reading even if you don't make it all the way through.
Anonymous reviewed Blink on
Helpful Score: 6
I found this book taught me to think about thinking in a very different way. I found the examples very interesting to read about.
Helpful Score: 6
Fantastic book. Easy to read and understand. I found lots of lessons to apply to my own life that I'm very excited about.
I think the author does a great job making very complex concepts understandable by combining real-life examples with studies from a wide variety of fields.
I read this in a day and couldn't put it down.
I think the author does a great job making very complex concepts understandable by combining real-life examples with studies from a wide variety of fields.
I read this in a day and couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 4
I honestly don't see what is the fascination with this author... Blink is incredibly repetitive in its basic premise and there is very little scientific evidence to his concept. Although the does refer to studies to support his viewpoint, it is the same 3 or 4 studies being reviewed again and again. I think this would have been a good white paper, to me, it felt like there was not enough original or in-depth content for a full book.
Helpful Score: 4
Not as fascinating as his first hit, The Tipping Point (which I absolutely LOVED). It seemed contrived to me in that manner that it wasn't so much he stumbled upon another great idea, as he forced an idea that isn't spellbinding into something (anything!!!) to utilize the momentum of his first success. Sometimes genius does not repeat itself, and unfortunately, this is one of those times.
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent, really enjoyed the analysis and insight. Gladwell does great research and brings it all together in a nice format and writing style.
Helpful Score: 3
I am not much of a non-fiction reader, but this kept my interest.
Helpful Score: 2
the good and the bad of making snap deductions. Well worth the read.
Helpful Score: 2
How Little Things can Make a Big Difference.
Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant-in the blink of an eye-that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling in error? How do your brains really work-in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?
Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant-in the blink of an eye-that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling in error? How do your brains really work-in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of those books that will teach you things that you were aware of, but never expressed. Kind of tough to explain, but I love non fiction, and this book was just great.
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book sitting on our coffee table. Not sure where it came from or how it got there. And I am glad I picked it up to read. While not the most exciting book to read - lots of references to research studies and statistics - the brief stories reflecting 'the data' really bring home the books key concepts. What Malcolm terms 'thin slicing', that judgement we make unconsciously the first 2 seconds we see something or met someone, relates highly to my own search for understanding regarding 'intuition.' He encourages development of our 'intuition'. And also makes it clear that there are times to react quickly and 'trust our gut', there are times appropriate for more detailed analysis. Most important is the creation of the awareness of how heavily our unconscious mind impacts our conscious, and unconscious, decisions - and how these decisions can impact our lives and influence the direction of our society.
Helpful Score: 2
So far I'm only a couple chapters in, and I think the book is OUTSTANDING. Excellent info, test studies, compilation of data and experiments, easy to read. Interesting. I've already learned something (nasty) about myself that I am going to change. I didn't know it was such an indicator of a bad marriage, one that will break up. We haven't broken up in 24+ years...but I need to stop something. This is a thinker's book. Love it!
Helpful Score: 2
I really didn't find this book very informative. If you have taken a few psychology courses, what the author writes about is really nothing new.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is every bit as brilliant as The Tipping Point. Anyone who is interested in how people work should read this.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book on how we make decisions!
Helpful Score: 1
This book ventures into several fascinating areas of research. From experts at reading facial expressions to the power of suggestion and why initial impressions can be accurate or how they can fool us. One of my favorite things was the Implicit Association Test (IAT), that exposes preconceptions you may not realize you have. The test in the book has to do with male and female, but it also gives the implicit.harvard.edu website for further tests you can take. It also gives some insight into autistic minds and how they differ in their ability to read nonverbal cues and things we do automatically. Packed with many interesting tidbits of knowledge. I read it in one sitting.
Helpful Score: 1
Had read before many of the research studies that he reviewed. All research was put together in a very interesting way. "You only get to make a first impression once."
Helpful Score: 1
Gets you thinking in a whole new way!
Helpful Score: 1
I finally finished this one! It was a bit of a chore, but ultimately an interesting book that confirmed a lot of things that, subconsciously, I already knew (without thinking!).
One of my new favorite quotes comes from this book: Insight is not a lightbulb that goes off inside our heads. It is a flickering candle that can easily be snuffed out.
We often do ourselves more harm than good by overthinking things and end up confusing the issue. The real trick is learning to acknowledge those flickering candles and when to follow your gut because, as this book illustrates time and again, it rarely leads you in the wrong direction.
Sometimes, you just know things. Don't ignore that or second-guess it or try to explain it. It happens. And it's a good thing.
One of my new favorite quotes comes from this book: Insight is not a lightbulb that goes off inside our heads. It is a flickering candle that can easily be snuffed out.
We often do ourselves more harm than good by overthinking things and end up confusing the issue. The real trick is learning to acknowledge those flickering candles and when to follow your gut because, as this book illustrates time and again, it rarely leads you in the wrong direction.
Sometimes, you just know things. Don't ignore that or second-guess it or try to explain it. It happens. And it's a good thing.
Helpful Score: 1
While Gladwell delivers another book filled with interesting observations and anecdotes, for me Blink was not nearly as successful as The Tipping Point.
In Blink, Gladwell talks about the power of the first impression, in making decisions with good understanding if not complete information and the effectiveness of "small slicing." But he also talks about the dangers of all those things and lists many, many situations where first impressions go terribly awry. In The Tipping Point, there was a clear action item: Here are the personalities that make an idea/movement/product "tip" and here are steps you can take to capitalize on those personalities. I think it's the immediate workability that makes The Tipping Point the stronger book. In the wrong hands, Blink can be used to wave away every mistake and bad judgement a person makes.
In Blink, Gladwell talks about the power of the first impression, in making decisions with good understanding if not complete information and the effectiveness of "small slicing." But he also talks about the dangers of all those things and lists many, many situations where first impressions go terribly awry. In The Tipping Point, there was a clear action item: Here are the personalities that make an idea/movement/product "tip" and here are steps you can take to capitalize on those personalities. I think it's the immediate workability that makes The Tipping Point the stronger book. In the wrong hands, Blink can be used to wave away every mistake and bad judgement a person makes.
A fascinating look at how we make decisions. A must-read for anyone interested in business or marketing, Gladwell offers real insight into various ad campaigns. Very well written and quite entertaining, his revelations will change the way you think forever.
One of the best books I've ever read! Malcolm Gladwell captured my attention with this book right from the start. This book is loaded with fantastic examples and the writing is truly professional and organized. I highly recommend this book if nothing else on your shelf is able to grab you.
Another Gladwell book that is based on a good idea, but the book can be summed up in a couple of paragraphs and you wouldnt have to waste time reading it.
While the premise is excellent it is full of half-baked examples and shoddy scientific support. Many examples are sited most of which are clear why they are related and many studies are cited but without details to clinch the deal. Read the first chapter or so, then leave it.
While the premise is excellent it is full of half-baked examples and shoddy scientific support. Many examples are sited most of which are clear why they are related and many studies are cited but without details to clinch the deal. Read the first chapter or so, then leave it.
This is an amazing book that forces you to look at inward at your beliefs, stereotypes, and also inner intelligence/gut reactions. Great read!
I´ve read it twice i liked it so much. Malcom Gladwell is a very entertaining author.
This is a very interesting and eye opening read. I definitely want to read more of Gladwell.
Powerful insight into the power of intuition!
In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell does not exactly cover anything new (modern psychology has covered this topic extensively), but he does present the material in a refreshing and entertaining way. The idea of the snap judgment or intuition being a product of some very complex calculations on the part of the subconscious is a fascinating topic of discussion.
This book was one of the best books I've read. I couldn't put it down. It is really fascinating to learn about our snap judgements and how they affect our world. I would recommend this book for everyone!
This is nowhere near as good as the Tipping Point. The book contains some interesting insights about how people develop instantaneous, not just "first," impressions, but the relevant points the author makes could have easily been condensed into one chapter. Nevertheless, it is a quick read and does have some interesting, thought-provoking ideas. This would be great for anyone interested in psychology or sociology.
I really enjoyed this book. It has an interesting perspective on how things are and then when you break them down with science and research how they are.
Eye opening, great read
Very interesting.
i've been looking forward to reading this because of all of the hype surrounding it and the tipping point.
i was not disappointed!
it was an interesting read- that kept me thinking (which i needed because my brain was starting to turn to mush).
i was glad to see a whole section devoted to Dr. John Gottman and his ability to read couples in just minutes and figure out if they're going to split up or not because I'm currently reading two of his books.
Blink was a really interesting book. I'm one of those people who has to think everything through, do a ton of research and then make my decision. I hardly ever go with my gut and when I don't and change my mind, I'm usually wrong.
I liked how it was factual without being boring and I'm now looking forward to reading the Tipping Point!
i was not disappointed!
it was an interesting read- that kept me thinking (which i needed because my brain was starting to turn to mush).
i was glad to see a whole section devoted to Dr. John Gottman and his ability to read couples in just minutes and figure out if they're going to split up or not because I'm currently reading two of his books.
Blink was a really interesting book. I'm one of those people who has to think everything through, do a ton of research and then make my decision. I hardly ever go with my gut and when I don't and change my mind, I'm usually wrong.
I liked how it was factual without being boring and I'm now looking forward to reading the Tipping Point!
My daughter had to read this book and recommended it. I loved it. One I'll keep and reread through the years to remind me of stuff I should already know.
Amazing to see your own personal bias you didn't know you had....
Fabulous quick read. Very interesting writeup of fascinating research.
I found this book to be a little repetitive and dull. LOTS of research data, which is fine, but so much repeating the same thing. It felt like he forced himself to make an entire book based on 2 seconds. In the end, "Blink" is about one thing--intuition and I have read better books on that than this.
Too much repetition and no useful suggestions for how to improve one's thin-slicing abilities mar this work. What it does reasonably well - if with too much repetition - is summarize research and stories about people's ability to quickly make useful (or poor) judgements. If it had been a 3 page magazine article it would have been fine. As a book it's too long for the content it contains. And even that could be forgiven if it actually gave useful suggestions on how to get better at the skills it discusses.
Really makes you think! Excellent book.
\"A fascinating book that makes you see the world in a different way.\" - Fortune
The first chapter then maybe the second are worth reading. But the rest is garbage. The beginning is really interesting but then he tries to use it to justify his extreme liberal view points. I hestitate to suggest it. Stop by the library and read the first chapter then put it back on the shelf. It is a quick read though. So if you choose to read it know you will be told you are a racist and bigot. But it will read quick.
Interesting read, but not my favorite.
From Publishers Weekly: "Best-selling author Gladwell has a dazzling ability to find commonality in disparate fields of study. As he displays again in this entertaining and illuminating look at how we make snap judgmentsabout people's intentions, the authenticity of a work of art, even military strategyhe can parse for general readers the intricacies of fascinating but little-known fields like professional food tasting (why does Coke taste different from Pepsi?). Gladwell's conclusion, after studying how people make instant decisions in a wide range of fields from psychology to police work, is that we can make better instant judgments by training our mind and senses to focus on the most relevant factsand that less input (as long as it's the right input) is better than more. Perhaps the most stunning example he gives of this counterintuitive truth is the most expensive war game ever conducted by the Pentagon, in which a wily marine officer, playing "a rogue military commander" in the Persian Gulf and unencumbered by hierarchy, bureaucracy and too much technology, humiliated American forces whose chiefs were bogged down in matrixes, systems for decision making and information overload. But if one sets aside Gladwell's dazzle, some questions and apparent inconsistencies emerge. If doctors are given an algorithm, or formula, in which only four facts are needed to determine if a patient is having a heart attack, is that really educating the doctor's decision-making abilityor is it taking the decision out of the doctor's hands altogether and handing it over to the algorithm? Still, each case study is satisfying, and Gladwell imparts his own evident pleasure in delving into a wide range of fields and seeking an underlying truth." Copyright © Reed Business Information
A fabulous read.
Received this as a corporate gift and never read it.
