Derek Thompson is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of the Work in Progress newsletter.He is also the author of the books Hit Makers and On Work: Money, Meaning, Identity and the host of the podcast Plain English.
"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
“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
"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 The Power of
Regret
“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 and Shape
"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 Biggest Bluff
“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." —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." —Observer
"[An] engaging cultural study." —Guardian
"Spirited ... An entertaining and informative guide."
—The Times
“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
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