Pinker does a great job of putting Gladwell on a pedestal in the first half (makes you want to read the book) of the review only to totally destroy him in the second half (now I wouldn't read the book even if it was a gift).
I think it’s fine to read, in about the same way that pulp sci-fi novels or “chick lit” are fine to read, or sit-coms are fine to watch: Gladwell is a good storyteller, and has loads of amusing anecdotes. As long as you don’t take things too seriously, or start to confuse his banal generalities for insightful modes of understanding, it’s a breezy, not too mentally taxing, way to spend an afternoon.
Indeed. But if you have limited time to read, better pick up a Pinker book...
I highly recommend Malcolm Gladwell despite the negative second half of the review. I've read his book "The Tipping Point" and I felt that it contained great tips for startups and small businesses.
Currently I am working on "Blink".
Even if Pinker is wrong, it is at least a breath of fresh air to see Gladwell pop psychology challenged for once.