Malcom Gladwell's new book What the Dog Saw is a compilation of short conversation pieces written for the New Yorker in which the author (for the most part) makes quirky subjects interesting and engaging.

Since there are nearly twenty pieces in the collection, the reader needs to be reminded that patience in staying with the pieces will be required in even some of the best selections. With some other selections the reader may end by saying, "What was that?" This reviewer was concerned about why he was listening to the piece about Popeil and the selling of his rotisseries when he said to himself, "Is the author talking about that thing I have gathering dust on the top of my refrigerator?" He was and the piece was immediately entertaining and informative.

Then there are some (in this case only a few) pieces that might make the reader wonder if the time spent listening to the material was worth it. For example his piece on the difference between choking and panicking left something to be desired. Yet some listeners may proclaim this the best piece in the collection.

Written over a long period of time, there is no unifying element to the collection. Each piece stands on its own merit.

Whichever pieces the reader chooses, he will more than likely look at the subject in a new and different way.