What makes a success a success? In the book "Hit Makers," the Editor-in-Chief of the Atlantic, Derek Thompson, explores pop culture through the lens of science to answer this question that has occupied every business, every producer, and every person who wants to promote themselves and their work. Drawing from ancient history and modern headlines - from the myth of vampires and Brahms' Lullaby to Instagram - Thompson examines the economy and psychology of why certain things become extremely popular. With insightful analysis and engaging storytelling, he reveals that, although blockbuster movies, internet memes, and number one songs seem to appear out of nowhere, hits actually have a history and operate by specific rules. People prefer familiar surprises: products that are bold and innovative, yet instantly understandable. Whether he discovers the secrets of speeches by JFK and Barack Obama or analyzes the unexpected reasons for the success of "Fifty Shades of Grey," Thompson goes beyond the cultural phenomena that make the news by revealing the desires that make us human. While technology may change, our innate preferences do not, and throughout history hits have held up a mirror to ourselves. From the dawn of impressionistic art to the future of Snapchat, from small Etsy entrepreneurs to the origins of Star Wars, Derek Thompson tells the captivating story of how culture happens - and where genius lives.

Pages: 368, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm