37 pages 1 hour read

Malcolm Gladwell

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2019

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Talking to Strangers, Malcolm Gladwell explores the complexities and frequent errors in our interactions with unfamiliar people, using Sandra Bland's tragic 2015 traffic stop as a starting point. Gladwell examines miscommunications through various stories, analyzing psychological theories and emphasizing that our flawed interpretations of strangers' behaviors often lead to serious misunderstandings. The book contains sensitive topics, including discussions of suicide and racial bias.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Malcolm Gladwell's Talking to Strangers offers an engaging exploration of why humans often misinterpret each other. Praised for its compelling anecdotes and thought-provoking insights, the book has faced criticism for occasionally oversimplifying complex situations. While some find its arguments occasionally lacking depth, many appreciate its relevance and conversational style.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Talking to Strangers?

Readers who enjoy Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell are curious about human behavior, social psychology, and the complexities of communication. Fans of Gladwell’s other works like Outliers and The Tipping Point, or those who appreciate books such as Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow, will likely find this book engaging.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Sociology

Science / Nature

Business / Economics

Themes

Identity: Language

Genre

Psychology

Philosophy

Self Help