When it comes to psychology and sociology nonfiction, Malcolm Gladwell is one of the best authors around. This is especially true is his 2005 book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Blink is a book about the split-second decisions we make every day, and about how we can use them to our advantage. Gladwell delves into the science behind our gut reactions and analyzes how and why they influence our decisions. This is no boring psychology essay though. Gladwell uses real-world instances in which our subconscious decisions played a bigger role than I thought it would. He explains why museum experts could spot a fake artifact when science couldn't, whether or not a married couple will stay married, and why we like certain colors. This investigative masterpiece compiles a series of real life experiments and experiences and breaks down the math behind our subconscious. Even after just one page, I was hooked and had trouble putting the book down long enough to do much of anything (much to my dog’s chagrin). Gladwell’s writing style and easy to understand language makes advanced concepts seem simple. He introduces phenomena such as thin-slicing, analysis paralysis, and the halo effect, all of which I would have had to google if it weren't for his concise explanations. The authors tackles the strengths and drawbacks of relying on our adaptive unconscious in a thorough way, arguing both sides honestly. After reading this book, I felt like a psychology expert, and I found myself using information I had learned in everyday life. Gladwell does a great job of writing his information in a clear way that makes it easy to absorb. I would strongly recommend Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink to any readers interested in a nonfiction book that invokes a lot of thought. Although this book does not follow one particular story, it is just as involved with human stories as any other nonfiction bestseller. Gladwell speaks with a relatable and often humorous tone that makes reading smooth and easy, even the complicated scienc-y parts are fun. This book is a great read for anyone interested in psychology or our subconscious, or anyone who feels like learning something new. A book that delves into the mysterious parts of our brain while pointing out countless uses of that part of the brain in real life- Gladwell manages to make science feel like the hottest story of the year, while providing readers with thought-provoking information and a whole new way of thinking.
Even after just one page, I was hooked and had trouble putting the book down long enough to do much of anything (much to my dog’s chagrin). Gladwell’s writing style and easy to understand language makes advanced concepts seem simple. He introduces phenomena such as thin-slicing, analysis paralysis, and the halo effect, all of which I would have had to google if it weren't for his concise explanations. The authors tackles the strengths and drawbacks of relying on our adaptive unconscious in a thorough way, arguing both sides honestly. After reading this book, I felt like a psychology expert, and I found myself using information I had learned in everyday life. Gladwell does a great job of writing his information in a clear way that makes it easy to absorb.
I would strongly recommend Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink to any readers interested in a nonfiction book that invokes a lot of thought. Although this book does not follow one particular story, it is just as involved with human stories as any other nonfiction bestseller. Gladwell speaks with a relatable and often humorous tone that makes reading smooth and easy, even the complicated scienc-y parts are fun. This book is a great read for anyone interested in psychology or our subconscious, or anyone who feels like learning something new.
A book that delves into the mysterious parts of our brain while pointing out countless uses of that part of the brain in real life- Gladwell manages to make science feel like the hottest story of the year, while providing readers with thought-provoking information and a whole new way of thinking.