I don't normally read this type of book for enjoyment; but it was on my list. My list of 100 books to read in 1 year.
The Tipping Point reads like a very concise, cool "business-y" psychology textbook. I love the study of people and how they operate. It does fascinate me. Because sometimes I see myself in the research results - which gives me a feeling of reassurance that I am not alone in my (often warped) line of thought; and other times, I am flabbergasted that people would react/respond in a particular way. And still other times, I am intrigued because I would never have guessed at the results, and I find it thought-provoking.
Before I read it, I thought The Tipping Point was a book about marketing. Ways to make your product/service/thing a success. And, I guess that it is ... sort of.
The Tipping Point explores how some things become phenomena that everyone wants to participate in. A couple of years ago, it was the Chiminea ... everyone had to have one of those backyard fireplaces. Or those icicle Christmas lights ... remember those things? Everyone just had to have them, and I bet you still have some packed away in a box in your basement. And I hardly think that I need to mention Facebook or Twitter or any other social networking website.
If you like the study of human behaviour, you will find this book interesting. Gladwell sites many behavioural experiments and draws examples from real occurrences, like the story of Bernard Goetz ... which I found fascinating.
So, even if you are not trying to read 100 books in 1 year, read this book. It'll change the way you look at marketing trends.
If you want to read all my thoughts on this book, check out my blog ...
http://takenoutofcontext-jill.blogspot.com/2010/05/tipping-point.html
