Book Reviews & Giveaway: What the Dog Saw

What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
Author: Malcolm Gladwell

I chose this book from Hachette Group to read first because I knew it would be one of the best. Malcolm Gladwell, whom we know from his many years as a New Yorker columnist, has the gift of the gab as the Irish would say. Mr. Gladwell addresses complicated and fascinating topics and lays them out in an original grid so beautifully and comprehensively that I actually feel intelligent as a reader. The Enron disaster – I was clueless. Cesar Milan – what did he have that I didn’t? Why did JFK Jr. falter in midair? What the heck is the story behind ketchup? Why hasn’t anyone reproduced another Heinz when we have twenty different mustards? What makes one entrepreneur fail and one succeed (not talent?).

Mr. Gladwell’s bestseller “Blink” is one book I have kept in my library . His is a master at perceiving outside the box, demanding that we look at things – everything – with a totally original viewpoint and different angle of comprehension. “What the Dog Saw” is another amazing and totally original bestseller. Mr. Gladwell creates art out of reality.

“What the Dog Saw” allowed me a view of current events and people, what they do and how they do it in a truly novel and fascinating way. Gladwell calls it the “other minds” problem. These series of his favorite articles from his days on the New Yorker staff read like the best of the novels I have read. Gladwell is to reality as Hiaasen is to the Florida eccentric character. A genius. Let’s just cut to the chase. He’s a great and lucid writer.

Gladwell categorizes these articles into three groups: obsessives and minor geniuses, theories and ways of organizing experience and predictions we make about people – and how inaccurate they can be. But the meat of this book is Mr. Gladstone. He lays out the grid-work of the article and astounds us. Cesar Milan’s incredible presence and his physical ability to be one with himself – the amazing Shirley Polykoff who wrote “Does she or doesn’t she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure” and put Clairol on the map. Ketchup, homelessness and how we are exacerbating the problem and how to really stop homelessness, Enron, the Challenger crash – there’s really no one to blame! John F. Kennedy Jr. who panicked instead of choking and the difference between the two – the difference between disaster and survival…every article entails precise, conversational writing and theory and every article proves brilliant. Gladwell is a writer who delivers complicated theories in colloquial, precise, conversational writing and is one of this generation’s best journalists. I couldn’t put the book down. Like “Blink”, this book is on the best seller list.

Ratings are based on a 5-star scale

Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Presentation: 5
Overall: 5

Review by Broad “A” – Ava

“What the Dog Saw” can be purchased at Amazon.com for $15.11

Thank you to the Hachette Book Group for providing our review copy as well as copies to give away.

GIVEAWAY
Enter Daily

Loading…

EXTRA ENTRIES

1. Vote for The Review Broads in the Divine Caroline Love this site awards.
2. Follow the Review Broads – on the sidebar
3. Subscribe to The Review Broads for FREE
4. Link to this giveaway on your Facebook page
5. Follow Broad “Z” on twitter.
6. Add our badge or the Bark to School badge to your blog/site
7. Blog about this giveaway
8. E-mail a friend about The Review Broads
9. Twitter this giveaway.

Be sure to leave a comment letting me know if you’ve done any of these (if you already subscribe – please note that in the comments as well).

Please make sure you leave your email address when adding a comment or I will not be able to contact you if you win.

* This giveaway is open to US residents, 13 and over and ends on October 27, 2009 11:59 EST.
* The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via email.
* The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or an alternate winner will be chosen.
* Please make sure you check your junk mail folder
* Good Luck