The Perfect Malcolm Gladwell Book For Your Dad

Getting Dad a Malcolm Gladwell book for Father’s Day is kind of a no-brainer—it’s like giving him a bigger brain. Gladwell’s books are mind-bending collections of fascinating stories and theories, stuff inquisitive dads will eat up with Father’s Day brunch. But which one is right for your Dad? Read on to find out.

For the self-made dad: Outliers: The Story of Success
If your dad has built his life success from the ground up, he’ll be fascinated with Outliers: The Story of Success, a book about the surprising methods by which people achieve success. The 10,000-Hour Rule, which states any task can be mastered if practiced for 10,000 hours, is not only astonishing, but inspiring. And it will be fully appreciated by any dude who has put his nose to the grindstone for years.
What to write inside: “Dad, Happy Father’s Day. Clearly you practiced awesome-child rearing for 10,0001 hours, at least.”

For the dad who is endlessly fascinated with how the world works: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
If your dad loves to explain things to you, indulge him by buying him The Tipping Point. In it Gladwell explores everything from fashion trends to smoking, digging way back to find the surprising(ly tiny) spark that set them off. Know-it-all dads will eat these stories up like candy.
What to write inside: “Dad, thank you for all the little things you did that made a huge difference in my life. Happy Father’s Day!”

For the dad who likes to study people: Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking
If your dad prides himself on being able to figure people out (including every boyfriend you had for the first 28 years of your life), he’ll appreciate every thought-provoking anecdote Blink offers. What makes people tick? Why do people do what they do? Your analytical father will relish Gladwell’s answers to these questions.
What to write inside: “Dad, still trying to figure out how you ended up being The Best Dad Ever. Gladwell doesn’t say. I have my own theories. Happy Father’s Day.”

For the dad who needs a little cheer: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
In David and Goliath, Gladwell turns conventional wisdom about hurdles and hindrances on its head, which will make Dad (or anyone) feel differently about the hardest stuff he’s facing. Gladwell’s theories, which explain how setbacks like discrimination and giants can actually help us succeed, are both fascinating and life-changing.
What to write inside: “Happy Father’s Day to my father, the hero.”

For the dad who doesn’t fit neatly into a category: What The Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
What The Dog Saw is a collection of Gladwell’s most popular New Yorker pieces, the perfect mix of stories and facts. If your dad has been called esoteric, he’ll be constantly entertained by Gladwell’s insights, from why there are so many different kinds of mustard but only one kind of ketchup, to a surprising solution to homelessness.
What to write inside: “When you’re done reading this, let’s continue Gladwell’s quest to invent the perfect cookie. Happy Father’s Day.”

For the dad who wants it all: Malcolm Gladwell Box Set
If you can’t decide which collection of stories and facts your dad will like best, get them all! Your pop will be set for quite some time with some serious food for thought. And if you read them along with him, you two will have plenty to discuss.
What to write inside: “I love you so much I couldn’t pick one book, so I got them all. Enjoy & Happy Father’s Day!”

What’s your favorite Malcolm Gladwell book?