Revenge of the Tipping Point

Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering

Hardcover edition
Author	Malcolm Gladwell
Language	English
Genre	Non-fiction
Publisher	Little, Brown and Company
Publication date	Oct 1, 2024
Publication place	United States
Media type	print, audiobook, e-book
Pages	352
ISBN	978-0-316-57580-5
OCLC	1436904469
Preceded by	The Bomber Mafia

Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering is a 2024 book by Malcolm Gladwell that examines and revisits the ideas of his 2000 book The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.

Synopsis

The book includes Gladwell's analysis of cheetahs, Ivy League sports, Los Angeles in the 1990s, teen suicide, COVID-19, and the opioid crisis. ^{[1] [2] [3]} The book is also largely focused on Gladwell's "rule of thirds" concept. ^[4]

Reception

According to Book Marks, the book received mixed reviews, with two "rave" reviews, one "positive" review, three "mixed" reviews and four "pan" reviews. ^[5]

The Associated Press described the book as fan service for readers who enjoyed The Tipping Point ^[6] In a review for The New York Times titled "Is Malcolm Gladwell Out of Ideas?", author Anand Giridharadas referred to it as a "brand extension" and described the book as unambitious and outdated, comparing it to junk food. ^[7] According to a review in Financial Times , many of Gladwell's theories in the book do not "pass the smell test". ^[8] According to a review in Slate, the book does not examine The Tipping Point as much as it "is devoted to expounding on Gladwell’s earlier maxims." ^[9] Irish Independent called it "easily readable" but "pedantic, repetitive and smug." ^[10]

References

1. Posnett, Edward (October 2, 2024). "Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell review – the superspreader returns". The Guardian.
2. "Book excerpt: "Revenge of the Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell". CBS News.
3. Rose, Frank. "'Revenge of the Tipping Point' Review: Gladwell Reconsiders". Wall Street Journal.
4. Rock, Claire. "'Revenge of the Tipping Point' might be a page turner, but it probably isn't science". The Michigan Daily.
5. "Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering". Book Marks.
6. "Book Review: 'Revenge of the Tipping Point' is fan service for readers of Gladwell's 2000 book". Associated Press News . September 30, 2024.
7. Giridharadas, Anand (September 29, 2024). "Is Malcolm Gladwell Out of Ideas?". New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
8. Bush, Steven. "Revenge of the Tipping Point — Malcolm Gladwell's long-awaited follow-up". Financial Times.
9. Miller, Laura. "Can Malcolm Gladwell Still Spark the Idea Economy?". Slate.
10. Kibird, Roisin. "Pedantic, repetitive and smug: Malcolm Gladwell's hackneyed solutions to the world's woes have toppled over the edge". Irish Independent.