Malcolm Gladwell Announces New Book “The American Way of Killing” on US Gun Violence
Malcolm Gladwell, the bestselling author and the voice behind the globally popular podcast Revisionist History, is preparing for a major return to publishing with a powerful and timely new book that will tackle one of America’s most controversial and painful issues: gun violence.
The Pushkin Industries co-founder and editorial director is set to release a new title this fall titled “The American Way of Killing,” a book that aims to unpack the origins of America’s gun violence epidemic and explore why the country has struggled for decades to find a solution.
With gun-related deaths continuing to dominate national headlines and political debates, Gladwell’s new work is expected to draw widespread attention—not just from readers, but also from policymakers, educators, and media analysts.
“The American Way of Killing”: What Gladwell’s New Book Will Explore
In “The American Way of Killing,” Gladwell reportedly takes a deep dive into the historical, cultural, and institutional forces that have shaped the United States’ relationship with firearms.
The book is described as an investigative exploration into:
How gun violence evolved into a national crisis
What factors have fueled its growth over generations
Why public policy efforts often fail to make lasting impact
The cultural narratives and political divisions surrounding firearms
America’s unique approach to crime, punishment, and policing
Unlike many books that focus solely on statistics or political arguments, Gladwell is expected to bring his signature style—storytelling driven by human behavior, social psychology, and systemic analysis.
Podcast Episodes That Sparked the Book Idea
Gladwell’s upcoming book is not emerging out of nowhere.
According to early details, the new title expands on reporting that originally appeared in a series of episodes on his long-running podcast “Revisionist History.” The podcast, known for revisiting overlooked or misunderstood moments in history, has frequently examined topics related to:
Crime and criminal justice
Police culture and reform
Punishment systems in the U.S.
Social inequality and institutional failures
Over the years, Revisionist History has built a loyal audience by combining narrative journalism with documentary-style production. Now, Gladwell is taking that reporting further—adding new interviews, additional research, and expanded context for the book version.
New Interviews and Research Promised in the Book
While the podcast laid the foundation, “The American Way of Killing” is expected to offer much more.
Gladwell is said to be incorporating:
Expanded Reporting
New reporting that goes beyond what listeners have already heard, offering additional insights and deeper storytelling.
Fresh Interviews
The book will include newly conducted interviews with individuals connected to the topic, likely spanning experts, witnesses, law enforcement figures, and policy voices.
Historical and Cultural Context
Gladwell’s books often focus on the “why” behind human decisions. This title will reportedly explore how American identity, history, and culture have influenced gun violence.
Release Date and Format: Print, eBook, and Audiobook Confirmed
Gladwell’s book will be officially released on September 26, and it will be made available across multiple formats, including:
Hardcover print edition
eBook edition
Audiobook edition (narrated by Malcolm Gladwell himself)
This cross-format approach reflects the modern publishing trend of treating audiobooks as a primary product rather than a secondary add-on.
Audiobook Expected to Feature Pushkin’s “Audio-First” Signature Style
The audiobook version of “The American Way of Killing” is expected to be a major highlight.
Pushkin Industries has stated that the audiobook will include the production style that Gladwell’s fans have come to expect—more like a cinematic documentary than a standard narration.
The audiobook is expected to include:
Original reporting
On-location interviews
Archival recordings and historical tape
Sound design and immersive audio storytelling
This is particularly significant because Gladwell’s podcast audience is already massive, meaning the audiobook could potentially outperform the print edition in reach and impact.
Publishing Partners: RBmedia, Little, Brown, and Pushkin Industries Join Forces
The book’s publishing strategy is notable because it involves collaboration between major industry names across formats.
Audiobook Publisher: RBmedia
The audio edition will be produced by Pushkin Industries and published by RBmedia, a major player in audiobook distribution.
Print Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
The print version will be published by Little, Brown and Company, a respected publishing house known for high-profile nonfiction titles.
Produced by Pushkin Industries
Pushkin Industries will handle the audiobook production, continuing its role as a major force in modern audio journalism.
This partnership suggests the book is being positioned not just as another release, but as a major cross-platform media event.
Pushkin Industries Calls It “Strategic Cross-Format Storytelling”
Nicole Op den Bosch, Senior Vice President and Publisher at Pushkin Industries, emphasized that the project is designed to be more than a traditional book launch.
In a statement, she highlighted Pushkin’s approach to publishing as an intentional, format-driven strategy.
She described the book as the outcome of “cross-format thinking” and a shared commitment to quality storytelling in both print and audio.
This kind of publishing philosophy is becoming increasingly common as audiobook consumption rises and podcasts continue to shape modern journalism.
Why Malcolm Gladwell’s Gun Violence Book Could Be a Major Cultural Moment
Gun violence is one of the most polarizing topics in America, and it is also one of the most emotionally charged.
The timing of Gladwell’s book could be particularly impactful for several reasons:
Gun Violence Remains a Top National Issue
The United States continues to face recurring mass shootings, community violence, and firearm-related crime that dominates political debate.
Public Trust in Institutions Is Under Pressure
Discussions around policing, crime prevention, and government accountability remain intense.
Gladwell Has a Unique Audience Reach
Gladwell isn’t just a book author—he has an enormous podcast following and mainstream media influence, which means his work can travel far beyond typical publishing circles.
Gladwell’s Career: A Bestseller Machine With a Global Audience
At 62 years old, Malcolm Gladwell remains one of the most recognizable nonfiction writers in the world.
He is a journalist and former New Yorker staff writer who has built a reputation for making complex topics accessible, compelling, and widely discussed.
Gladwell has written eight bestselling books, including:
The Tipping Point
Outliers
David and Goliath
Talking to Strangers
The Bomber Mafia
His books often spark cultural conversations, inspire corporate training programs, and influence public discourse—making his upcoming title especially noteworthy.
“Revisionist History” and Gladwell’s Continued Influence in Audio Media
Gladwell’s podcast “Revisionist History” has become one of the most influential narrative journalism podcasts of the past decade.
The show is widely praised for:
High production quality
Deep investigative reporting
Unexpected historical angles
Blending psychology, politics, and culture
Many of Gladwell’s podcast topics later evolve into larger conversations in the media, making it unsurprising that a podcast arc has now expanded into a full-length book.
How This Book Could Reshape the Conversation Around Gun Violence
While countless books have been written about firearms and crime, Gladwell’s approach is expected to differ.
Based on his past work, he will likely focus on:
patterns in American decision-making
systems that encourage violence
cultural myths and narratives
uncomfortable truths behind public policy failure
hidden historical forces shaping modern society
His ability to package big societal issues into digestible storytelling may help the book reach audiences that typically avoid political or policy-focused texts.
Key Takeaways: What Readers Should Know Now
Here are the major highlights surrounding Gladwell’s upcoming book release:
Malcolm Gladwell will release a new book titled “The American Way of Killing”
The book focuses on gun violence in the United States
It expands on reporting from his podcast “Revisionist History”
The book includes new interviews and additional research
It will release on September 26
Available in print, audiobook, and eBook
Audiobook narrated by Gladwell and produced with Pushkin’s signature sound design
Print edition published by Little, Brown and Company
Audio edition published by RBmedia
Why Google Discover Readers May Engage With This Story
Stories like this perform strongly on Google Discover because they include:
A major public figure (Malcolm Gladwell)
A socially relevant and trending topic (gun violence)
With Gladwell’s established audience and the topic’s national importance, this book announcement is likely to attract strong engagement across news platforms.
What’s Next: Anticipation Builds Ahead of September Release
As the release date approaches, industry observers expect more details to emerge regarding:
The book’s structure and key arguments
Additional audiobook production details
Promotional interviews and media appearances
Early reviews and critical response
Given Gladwell’s track record, “The American Way of Killing” is expected to generate heavy discussion across both mainstream media and social platforms.
Final Thoughts: Gladwell’s Next Big Chapter Begins
Malcolm Gladwell’s return to the written page signals more than just another bestselling release—it reflects the growing power of podcast-driven journalism shaping traditional publishing.
With “The American Way of Killing,” Gladwell is once again taking on a deeply complex American issue, one that continues to dominate headlines and divide political opinion.
Whether readers agree with his conclusions or not, the book is almost certain to reignite debate—and potentially become one of the most talked-about nonfiction releases of the year.
