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

Twenty-five years after the publication of his groundbreaking first book, Malcolm Gladwell returns with "curiosity and humor" in this New York Times bestseller that reframes the lessons of The Tipping Point in a startling and revealing light (Shannon Carlin).
Why is Miami...Miami? What does the heartbreaking fate of the cheetah tell us about the way we raise our children? Why do Ivy League schools care so much about sports? What is the Magic Third, and what does it mean for racial harmony? In this provocative new work, Malcolm Gladwell returns for the first time in twenty-five years to the subject of social epidemics and tipping points, this time with the aim of explaining the dark side of contagious phenomena.

Through a series of riveting stories, Gladwell traces the rise of a new and troubling form of social engineering. He takes us to the streets of Los Angeles to meet the world's most successful bank robbers, rediscovers a forgotten television show from the 1970s that changed the world, visits the site of a historic experiment on a tiny cul-de-sac in northern California, and offers an alternate history of two of the biggest epidemics of our day: COVID and the opioid crisis. Revenge of the Tipping Point is Gladwell's most personal book yet. With his characteristic mix of storytelling and social science, he offers a guide to making sense of the contagions of modern world. It's time we took tipping points seriously.
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Published Oct 1, 2024

368 pages

Average rating: 7.74

73 RATINGS

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boyleschris

Jan 18, 2026

Ann's recommendation. 👍

Maria Keerthi

Aug 17, 2025

8/10 stars

Hate when a book makes me smarter and sadder at the same time, 4⭐.

TMac78

Jan 18, 2025

9/10 stars

Book Review: The Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell Malcolm Gladwell’s The Revenge of the Tipping Point is a great read that revisits his iconic concept with fresh insights. With his signature storytelling, Gladwell connects seemingly unrelated ideas into a clear constellation of patterns, revealing how small shifts lead to monumental change. Through vivid anecdotes and real-world examples, he shows how tipping points continue to shape our digital and cultural landscapes. This engaging and thought-provoking book inspires readers to see the interconnectedness of ideas and the power of small actions to spark big transformations. A must-read for Gladwell fans and newcomers alike!

Camzozo

Jan 10, 2025

9/10 stars

What a great read! Highly recommend as it’s a thought provoking commentary on society.

JShrestha

Dec 03, 2024

7/10 stars

I was hoping for more from this book as the world has accelerated their development with personal growth and awareness but I still appreciated this book and how the author evolved the chapters to properly understand the social engineering that has enveloped society today. I wouldnt say to run to this sequel but it was definitely still a interesting read, especially with today's pandemics and need/greed with medication.