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What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2009

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Book Brief

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Malcolm Gladwell

What the Dog Saw

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2009
Book Details
Pages

410

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-99 years

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Super Short Summary

Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures is a collection of 19 eclectic essays from The New Yorker that delve into various topics like minor geniuses, flawed reasoning in disasters, intellectual property, and societal generalizations about success. The essays explore figures like Ron Popeil and Cesar Millan, critique modern assumptions about data interpretation, and question conventional views on genius and personality assessment. The book includes material related to catastrophic events and criminal behavior patterns.

Informative

Contemplative

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.1

105,718 ratings

68%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw is praised for its engaging storytelling and insightful analysis of various subjects. Reviewers appreciate the thought-provoking nature and clarity of Gladwell's essays. However, some critics note a lack of depth in certain topics and feel the collection is uneven, with some essays more compelling than others. Overall, it is a stimulating read for fans of Gladwell's work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read What the Dog Saw?

Readers who enjoy What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell are curious about human behavior, intrigued by sociology, and appreciate narrative nonfiction. Fans of Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner or Outliers by Gladwell himself will find similar appeal in its engaging exploration of everyday marvels and anomalies.

4.1

105,718 ratings

68%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Malcolm Gladwell

A Canadian author and journalist known for his independent thinking and ability to draw connections between unrelated topics; he explores ideas related to the fundamentals of the human condition and has written extensively for The New Yorker.

An inventor and businessman known for his elaborate kitchen gadgets, who ingeniously used marketing skills to transform how people experience cooking at home.

A pioneering copywriter in the hair-dye industry, recognized for her impactful advertising that made hair-dye respectable and shaped cultural perceptions.

A competitor in the hair-dye market, credited with creating the influential slogan "Because I’m worth it," which resonated with women’s evolving self-perception.

A dog behaviorist known for his innovative communication techniques with dogs, exemplifying how subtle practices can facilitate harmonious interactions.

A French Postimpressionist artist who achieved mastery later in life, challenging conventional notions of when and how genius manifests.

An American author who rose to prominence later in his career, utilizing extensive research to produce rich insights, often overlooked by mainstream narratives.

A Czech tennis professional known for her struggle under pressure during high-stakes matches, illustrating the psychological challenges faced by athletes.

A British playwright whose career was impacted by plagiarism accusations, instigating discussions on artistic influence and intellectual property.

Book Details
Pages

410

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-99 years

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