Blink by Malcolm Gladwell is a great read

[Hamlette]

its mostly about first impressions and how often they are very reliable. He talks about several studies about what effects how we react to things. A fascinating study he describes at the end about how to read a person's mind was great. It will make a believer out of you and he relates it all to what's going on around us (some current event.)

I never would have picked this up had it not been recommended at my bookstore.

[oldlady]

1. agree

I'm almost finished & have loved it-- surprising how often it's come up in ordinary conversation-- the study on test scores with/without indicating race really bothered me ..

[Jim__]

2. I haven't read Blink yet

But I did see Malcolm Gladwell on CSPAN2. What a great story teller. On CSPAN2, he told the story of Amado Dialo, the man in the Bronx who was standing outside his apartment and was shot 41 times by the police. Gladwell tells what happened that night, how the cops misread all the signs. After he finsished describing the event, I really felt like I understood a lot of what happened.

I want to read his book.

[Hamlette]

3. he talks about the case a lot in the book, explains how it could have

happened and it is fascinating! I highly recommend it.

[Lindsey]

4. I got this book a couple of weeks ago...

it's in my "next to read" pile..I'm very much looking forward to it.

[mrfrapp]

5. The Tipping Point

I've not read Blink yet but his previous book, The Tipping Point, was thoroughly enjoyable.

[Richardo]

6. I just finished 'Blink' and am going to put it on staff rec at B&N

Great read. The part about 'temporary autism' and its contribution to the Diallo shooting was fascinating.

Also, the description of General Van Riper's war games victory over the US 'Blue Team' was amazing. I remember those games, and how the Blue Team just refloated their ships and started all over again with new rules so that they could show a 'win'. Would have been funny, except that it led directly to the quagmire we are now in in Iraq.

Excellent. I'd like to read 'Tipping Point' now.

[HardWorkingDem]

7. Try Mind Wide Open....Steven Johnson....

If you liked Blink, pick up Mind Wide Open by Steven Johnson...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743241657/qid=1117411153/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7878295-8097508

This book came out before Blink and if not as good as Blink, even better.

I just finished Blink and these two are sort of companions to each other. Johnson also goes into some areas not touched on by Blink. Also, Johnson wrote his book so many can understand it. He also has this habit of re-explaining a complex concept in a way a lay person can understand it.

Give it a try...