Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw is praised for its engaging storytelling and insightful analysis of various subjects. Reviewers appreciate the thought-provoking nature and clarity of Gladwell's essays. However, some critics note a lack of depth in certain topics and feel the collection is uneven, with some essays more compelling than others. Overall, it is a stimulating read for fans of Gladwell's work.

Readers who enjoy What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell are curious about human behavior, intrigued by sociology, and appreciate narrative nonfiction. Fans of Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner or Outliers by Gladwell himself will find similar appeal in its engaging exploration of everyday marvels and anomalies.

Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures is a collection of 19 eclectic essays from The New Yorker that delve into various topics like minor geniuses, flawed reasoning in disasters, intellectual property, and societal generalizations about success. The essays explore figures like Ron Popeil and Cesar Millan, critique modern assumptions about data interpretation, and question conventional views on genius and personality assessment. The book includes material related to catastrophic events and criminal behavior patterns.

Informative / Contemplative / Inspirational

- What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell is a collection of essays primarily taken from his time as a staff writer at The New Yorker, reflecting on diverse subjects from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
- The book covers fascinating explorations, including the backstory of iconic ketchup brands and the trials faced by dog whisperers, shedding light on how different people perceive the world.
- Gladwell's insightful analysis in What the Dog Saw engages readers by inviting them to see objects and phenomena from a fresh perspective, challenging common perceptions and assumptions.

**Malcolm Gladwell**  
A Canadian author and journalist known for his independent thinking and ability to draw connections between unrelated topics; he explores ideas related to the fundamentals of the human condition and has written extensively for The New Yorker.

**Ron Popeil**  
An inventor and businessman known for his elaborate kitchen gadgets, who ingeniously used marketing skills to transform how people experience cooking at home.

**Shirley Polykoff**  
A pioneering copywriter in the hair-dye industry, recognized for her impactful advertising that made hair-dye respectable and shaped cultural perceptions.

**Ilon Specht**  
A competitor in the hair-dye market, credited with creating the influential slogan "Because I’m worth it," which resonated with women’s evolving self-perception.

**Cesar Millan**  
A dog behaviorist known for his innovative communication techniques with dogs, exemplifying how subtle practices can facilitate harmonious interactions.

**Paul Cézanne**  
A French Postimpressionist artist who achieved mastery later in life, challenging conventional notions of when and how genius manifests.

**Ben Fountain**  
An American author who rose to prominence later in his career, utilizing extensive research to produce rich insights, often overlooked by mainstream narratives.

**Jana Novotna**  
A Czech tennis professional known for her struggle under pressure during high-stakes matches, illustrating the psychological challenges faced by athletes.

**Bryony Lavery**  
A British playwright whose career was impacted by plagiarism accusations, instigating discussions on artistic influence and intellectual property.

Malcolm Gladwell

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Overview

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What the Dog Saw Summary and Study Guide

Background

What the Dog Saw Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Obsessives, Pioneers, and Other Varieties of Minor Genius”

Preface-Part 1, Chapter 6

What the Dog Saw Preface-Part 1, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Theories, Predictions, and Diagnoses”

Part 2, Chapters 7-13

What the Dog Saw Part 2, Chapters 7-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Personality, Character, and Intelligence”

Part 3, Chapters 14-19

What the Dog Saw Part 3, Chapters 14-19 Summary & Analysis

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What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures

Before You Read

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