There are two books entitled "Tipping Point". This book by Fred Marchant is a book of poetry which won the 1993 Word Works Washington Prize.

The "Tipping Point" (How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference) by Malcolm Gladwell is a different book which discusses how little changes can have big effects; when small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or "tipping point" is reached (explaining the successful reversal of crime patterns in New York City).

Reviews, however, often confuse the two books (my rating of this book reflects the fact that a confused reviewer led me to the wrong book and is no reflection on the Fred Marchant's poetry; Amazon does not allow an "--" rating).

Don't let the small size of this book fool you. It has been a very influential book. It was on the additional reading list for a course I took on etrepreneurial marketing while I was working on my MBA. I am most glad that I have read it and have drawn from it several lessons.

This is a book with a couple of really key and fresh points about how ideas spread and move from being uncommon to part of the air we breath. The author uses examples from epidemics of disease, from fashion, and from the media. He gives us several "case studies" including Hushpuppies, the Airwalk brand, and the decrease of New York City crime under Guilliani, and the spread of teenage smoking.

If you are trying to build a business or a movement of some kind, you will find these ideas sticking with you and informing your thinking about how you might going about building awareness of your brand and how you might gather customers (supporters). These ideas are extremely helpful and can assist you in your efforts to build your business and/or movement.

It is certainly an entertaining read and it will illuminate some interesting ideas for you. I recommend it for those who are trying to build businesses and movements or those who are interested a few interesting observations in how a new idea becomes something everyone thinks of as part of the culture.

The tipping point brings to light the way great things work. It encourages me to be persistent and perhaps one day I will reach my own tipping point.