Substance is as subjective as style. A list of equations or prescriptive "how-to"s can have an equally minimal affect on the reader as a rapid-fire anecdotal book of stories. The passage of time can change a book of great substance into a "use leaches to cure leukemia" piece of content.

The point is that this whole argument of intrinsic value is not nearly as black and white as the talking heads have made it seem. Gladwell's structure of storytelling is merely different and may not be for you.

Side Note, it is fallacy to confuse a man who has been accused of being "beholden to corporate sponsors" as one who has not put out any valuable work.