Customer Reviews: Read 988 more reviews...
 In a Blink of an Eye January 8, 2009
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is an amazing eye opener of a book on human behavior and how our brains function in thought. In a blink of an eye, decisions can be made and appear to be the result of a well thought out and educated process.
The author presents various illustrations of these instantaneous decisions; the antique dealer who recognizes a "fake" antique at a quick glance or the tennis coach who sees an error made even before the player hits the ball. These experts have trained themselves not only through repeated exposure to their craft but also through the use of intuition thoughts. This combination (expertise + intuition) accounts for high percentage of accurate decisions.
In reading the opening title of this book, "The Power of Thinking without Thinking" I was reminded of another book written by Ariel & Shya Kane called "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life". The Kanes present 3 simple ideas for transforming your life without "working" on any life "problems". The Kanes transformational approach to life has proven successful for thousands of people.
I highly recommend both of these books which are life provoking in positive ways for anyone interested in living an extraordinary life.
your brain: the missing manual January 7, 2009
As always, Gladwell's a fast and rewarding read. The first 20 pages are absolutely essential to anyone who makes decisions. The rest of the book is for those who need to make them well, defend them, and live with the consequences.
 Some good points. January 5, 2009
There are some relevant points in this book. The main point that I gathered from this reading is that our unconscious does some of the thinking for us, and decisions relating to this thinking are some of the best. However, if people were to think why they made these decisions, then they might not understand why they made the decision they made. Some of these decisions are based on intuition and result in good choices.
I believe this book to be the scraps left over from the Tipping Point. This book is written along the same lines, but some of this material seems to have less of a scientific appeal for me. I believe there are many relevant points in this book.
This is an OK read. I liked the Tipping Point and will see how I feel about Outliers.
More relevant than ever with recent election January 4, 2009
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is about impressions, biases, judgments, decision making and nonverbal communication. If you want to understand the Obama phenomenon and where its headed, read the chapter "The Warren Harding Error". Good book.
 Is this a book? January 4, 2009
I am not sure why this is a book. Anecdotes, anecdots, anecdotes.... Is there anything here that is actually researched and studied? A hundred stories does not a coherent theory make. This is typical Gladwell, big statements, good stories, poorly thought through thesis, bold assertions with no proof, keep cheerily going on, one book to the next. Good for killing time on a beach, but why would I pay for this advice?
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