Outliers by Malcom Gladwell

Outliers is a term that means outside the normal statistical expectations, for example polls that provide data outside what other polls on the same subject are finding. In this case, very successful people or groups (Bill Gates, The Beatles, very high-IQ individuals) are the subject. There are several themes or patterns that result in unusual success. One is the good fortunate of an enriched environment, the other is the opportunity to put in a lot of effort or practice in the area of expertise, another is timing--being born at a time and in a culture that can take advantage of this effort and knowledge. The last half of the book explores the legacy of talent within specific cultures, families, locations, and the roadblock created within cultures that don't enrich its young people or provide opportunities for social maturity and intelligence.

The effort is described as 10,000 hours of intense focus on the area of expertise--computer programming, practicing music or whatever. But without the social intelligence usually only provided by better educated families for their children, no amount of IQ or innate ability or practice will provide success.

The book only takes a few hours to read, but its really important, especially for young people or their parents, to read it.