When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
- Malcolm Gladwell is a bestselling author, journalist, public speaker, and MasterClass instructor.
- He is best known for his nonfiction writing on psychology and sociology.
- We used ratings from Goodreads to rank his seven most popular books.
Malcolm Gladwell is a Canadian nonfiction writer who is best known for his fascinating psychology and sociology books that shift readers' views of the world and the people around them.
His writing is beloved for his clear and accessible presentation of theories, thorough research from a variety of experts and examples, and unique perspectives that leave readers thinking about his writing long after they've closed the book. He also, like many writers, teaches a MasterClass where he shares his best writing tips and secrets.
Masterclass Malcolm Gladwell Teaches WritingIn 24 lessons, you'll learn how to find, research, and write stories that capture big ideas.
Shop at Masterclass External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."To rank Malcolm Gladwell's most popular books, we turned to Goodreads members. Goodreads is the world's largest book reviewing platform where over 125 million users rate, review, and recommend the books they read to their friends and the community.
So whether you're looking for a fascinating new nonfiction read or another popular work from your favorite psychology writer, here are the most popular Malcolm Gladwell books, as ranked by Goodreads members.
The 7 most popular Malcolm Gladwell books, as ranked by Goodreads members:
"The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference"
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $9.99
With over 700,000 ratings on Goodreads, Malcom Gladwell's debut book, "The Tipping Point," is his most popular book amongst Goodreads members. Loved for Gladwell's concise writing, thorough research, and fresh perspectives, "The Tipping Point" examines the moment when an idea or product reaches a "tipping point" and thus spreads like a wildfire.
"Outliers: The Story of Success"
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.75
In "Outliers," Malcolm Gladwell explores the factors and experiences that contribute to the success of millionaire entrepreneurs, all-star athletes, and inventive geniuses. Both interesting and valuable, Malcolm Gladwell's highly researched theories explore how culture and specific, nurturing circumstances contribute to high levels of success.
"Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking"
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.39
Gladwell's second book focuses on the rapid mental processes we use to analyze situations and make decisions in the "blink of an eye." With carefully researched examples and expert interviews, Gladwell presents both the benefits and pitfalls of quick decision-making with anecdotes that present all sides of the argument to readers.
"Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know"
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $15.49
In this 2019 read, Malcolm Gladwell focuses on our interactions with strangers and the assumptions we make about people we don't know. Using relevant anecdotes from scandals to trials to police brutality, Gladwell pulls from psychology and communication theories to study our relationship with the strangers around us. "Talking to Strangers" also makes for an exciting audiobook, as it follows the structure of Gladwell's podcast and uses interviews and sound bites to enhance listeners' experience.
"David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants"
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $16.98
In this nonfiction book about underdogs, Malcolm Gladwell studies the probability of seemingly improbable events to show how underdogs achieve the unlikely far more often than we might expect. Combining psychological research with history and science, Gladwell uses anecdotes from throughout history to help readers examine the true meaning of having a hidden advantage.
"What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures"
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.89
"What the Dog Saw" is a compilation of 19 articles Malcolm Gladwell wrote for "The New Yorker" that all aim to change our understanding of the world through the eyes of those around us. Separated into three sections, Malcolm Gladwell discusses lesser-known great people in history, the problems of prediction, and a variety of fascinating sociological topics.
"The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War"
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $24.55
"The Bomber Mafia" is Malcolm Gladwell's most recent book, released in April 2021. Differing from his other nonfiction psychology works, this book is a history of the Bomber Mafia in World War II — a group of men who believed they could win the war with a strategic and large number of aircraft bombers.
Katherine Fiorillo Katherine Fiorillo is a freelance content writer specializing in books, lifestyle, and e-commerce.Katherine has a B.A. in Journalism from Marist College and previously wrote for BuzzFeed's Shopping and Products beat. She is an Army veteran, an avid reader, and designs book-themed stickers for her Etsy shop.Say hi to Katherine at katherinemfiorillo@gmail.com. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnnJqus7rIp55ompWowW65wKWaqKSdYrStrcOwnKWkXZe8sLfS