Derek Thompson is a senior editor at The Atlantic magazine, where he writes about economics and the media. He is a regular contributor to NPR's Here and Now and appears frequently on television, including CBS and MSNBC. He lives in New York City.
Enthralling-- full of 'aha' moments about why some ideas
soar and others never get off the ground. This book picks up
where The Tipping Point left off.
- Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling
author of ORIGINALS and GIVE AND TAKE "While giving Lady Luck her
due, Thompson studiously examines the myriad factors that make the
things we buy, like and follow so irresistible: whether Facebook,
TV shows such as Seinfeld, Bumble (the app, not the insect),
even favorite lullabies. In Hit Makers, his first book,
Thompson tackles this mystery with solid research, ready wit and
catchy aphorisms...a wonderful book."
--USA Today "Superb."--Fareed Zakaria, Book of the Week selection
"Hit Makers is thoughtful and thorough, a compelling
book .... a terrific look at what makes a hit, from the Mona
Lisa to Donald Trump." -- Vox "This entertaining look at the
creation of blockbusters... takes on many creators' and marketers'
assumptions... Hit Makers coats science in compelling story" -- Inc
Fascinating ... Thompson has huge enthusiasm for his topic and
has amassed an amazing amount of material, including many offbeat
and engaging stories. ... [Should] be read for insight and
provocation. -- John Gapper Financial Times [Thompson] has
assembled a book in the Malcolm Gladwell tradition telling great
stories to illustrate some fascinating and often far-from-obvious
theses. -- Daily Mail Thompson's diligent research and
lively prose ensure that Hit Makers is always informative and
entertaining. -- Prospect Thompson does a really
fascinating job of explaining how things become popular,
drawing on a wide range of cultural phenomena, from Star
Wars to the iPhone, Taylor Swift to Game of Thrones.
-- Ben East Observer [An] engaging cultural
study. -- Steven Poole Guardian Spirited ... An
entertaining and informative guide. -- The
Times A useful survey ... Thompson makes lots of snappy remarks
and unexpected comparisons. -- David Sexton Evening
Standard Derek Thompson has long been one of the brightest
new voices in American journalism. With HIT MAKERS, he becomes
one of the brightest new voices in the world of non-fiction books.
Ranging from Impressionist art to German lullabies to Game of
Thrones, HIT MAKERS offers a fresh and compelling take on how the
media function and how ideas spread. As deftly written as it is
keenly argued, this book -- true to its title -- is a hit." --
Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of
DRIVE and TO SELL IS HUMAN "Derek Thompson's HIT MAKERS is a
sharply observed history of the megahit, from the 13th-centuy
tunic craze to the iPhone, tracing the strange ever-changing
mixture of genius, dumb luck, business savvy, and network math that
turns an obscurity into a worldwide smash."
-Jordan Ellenberg, New York Times bestselling author of HOW NOT
TO BE WRONG What makes one song hit, and another, flop, one
book a success and the other, fodder for the discount bins? That's
the mystery Derek Thompson probes with his characteristic verve,
wit, and insight in Hit Makers. It's an engrossing read that
doesn't settle for easy answers, and one that seems destined to
become one of the hits that Thompson so deftly analyzes.
-Maria Konnikova, New York Times bestselling author of THE
CONFIDENCE GAME "Hit Makers blends historical lessons with
technological & social insights to explain what makes culture
tick, and hits happen."
--Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of Revolution and Co-Founder of
America Online "Derek Thompson's Hit Makers is a
terrific read--a sparkling combination of fascinating stories,
cutting-edge science, and superb business advice. Just as he does
when he writes for The Atlantic, Thompson shares more
interesting ideas per paragraph than practically any other writer
today. Hit Makers is a bible for anyone who's ever
tried to promote practically anything, from products, people,
and ideas, to books, songs, films, and TV shows."
--Adam Alter, New York Times Bestselling author of Drunk Tank
Pink and Irresistible
I always read everything by Derek Thompson I see, and this book was
no exception. Why things become popular is one of the most
important questions in an ever-more networked world, and Derek
Thompson's *Hit Makers* is the best and most serious attempt to
take a look at it.
--Tyler Cowen, author of The Great Stagnation and
Marginal Revolution "This book is brilliant, a
fascinating exploration of the relationship between artistry and
industry, the ways that everything from immigration to distribution
helps create the popular imagination. You may never look at your
favorite film or song the same way again. It should be required
reading for anyone working in the popular arts."
--Simon Kinberg, producer of The Martian, screenwriter and producer
for the X-Men film franchises "Thompson tackles the daunting
subject of how products come to dominate the culture in this
interdisciplinary romp that delves into many facets of the
entertainment industry as well as industrial design, art history,
publishing, and politics...presenting his case with verve and a
lightning chain of compact anecdotes ....This book will appeal to
readers of Malcolm Gladwell as well as pop-culture enthusiasts and
anyone interested in the changing media landscape."
-- Booklist
"How does a nice idea become an earworm, or a fashion trend,
or--shudder--a meme? Atlantic senior editor Thompson ventures a few
well-considered answers....Good reading for anyone who aspires to
understand the machinery of pop culture--and perhaps even craft a
hit of his or her own."
- Kirkus Reviews
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
