Introduction

Through the book “Give and Take”, renowned writer Adam Grant takes an attempt to introduce to us
exactly what the cover of the book says: a revolutionary approach to success. As the reader dives into
the book, from the very start, it is made apparent that the subject of the book is to categorize people
into three types: givers, matchers and takers. The book can arguably be considered an insightful read as
understanding human nature can be a pivotal step towards achieving success. However, as the writer
shares his view of the world and divides people as per his own categorization, the book becomes subject
to an objective analysis: one which determine how much the book gives and takes.

Main Ideas
It can be said that, of the three categories made by the author, the book is heavily focused on givers.
Each chapter progressively endorses the “giving” approach of life. Each chapter has its respective way of
establishing its own concept relevant to the said endorsement. The book tells us how to and why to
become a giver. In other words, it successfully covers the instructions, benefits and challenges of giving.
The initial chapters are mostly focused on introducing different approaches of giving. As the book
progresses, it goes on to familiarize the reader with how the giving approach can directly lead to success
in arguably all fields of life. Therefore, a strong relationship is built between giving and succeeding as we
can see from each chapter how the giving culture leads to success in scenarios requiring effective
communication, conflict resolution, organizational culture, etc. The chapters towards the end of the
book address how being a giver is easier said than done. The difficulties and challenges this approach
may find are comprehensively addressed. The book, therefore, leaves no stone unturned in its attempt
of solidifying givers as succeeders.

While being heavily focused on the givers, it also takes its time addressing the takers. Hence, it allows us
an additional perspective of seeing what one of the two other approaches may not lead to much
success. Rather, the book adamantly establishes takers in a rather negative light and talks about how
this approach of life, even though achieves really short term successes, only leads to poor reputation
and weak relations in the long run. After successfully establishing the downsides that takers bring to the
table, hence ensuring the readers know to avoid this path, the book offers rehabilitation. It encourages
takers to become givers and offers effective methods that can make the said conversion possible. This is
because the book comprehensively explains how takers play a rather parasitical role in the society as the
practice of taking is claimed to be habitual. Therefore, the writer excels in further establishing the
importance of being a giver by showing the cons of the opposite alternative. This adds more to the book
than a singular focus on only the pros of givers would. By simultaneously talking about the costs of being
a taker, the author further solidifies why givers are on the road to success.

The book has a rather black and white approach. There are no gray areas throughout the book. To be
more specific, it is very clear and somewhat headstrong in categorizing the good, the bad, the wrong
and the right. It does not leave ideas open to interpretation. For example, a reader may fail to find any
instance throughout the book where the givers are not explicitly portrayed as the protagonists. Even
when discussing the challenges of giving, the author is still highly encouraging this specific approach of
living. Hence, it can be argued that the book is less objective and more opinionated.

Criticisms
As previously stated, the book is rather headstrong in emphasizing that only one of the three
categorized groups consists of the people who can expect future success of all sorts. It establishes
generosity as a culture that all of the masses can and must follow. Therefore, the book is heavily focused
on encouraging the giving culture, ranging from the subtlest forms of giving (referred to in the book as
“the panda style”) to the most flamboyant forms of giving (referred to in the book as “the peacock
style”). One may argue that the book is too focused. The book can be said to have one sole purpose:
teach people to be givers. The book can be said to be on one singular mission while overlooking every
possible alternative. It does not address any bad characteristics of givers at all. For example, a giver may
be working with less generous and more selfish motives; a giver may gradually develop a sense of
superiority over those they give to, which could, weaken or even damage relationships. It also sheds
very little light on the takers. Among 12 chapters, only chapter-8 elaborately talks of the takers and even
then, only their downsides and ways in which they can convert to givers are discussed. Hence, even
when talking about takers, the sole focus is on endorsing givers. The book misses out on any supporting
points in favor of takers. It does not address the situations that force people to be takers. Moreover, no
thorough discussion on matchers can be found throughout the book. This, therefore, leaves a major
approach unexplored which can be expected to leave the reader dissatisfied and wanting for more.

Furthermore, the black and white approach that the author has applied in this writing may not be the
best way of categorizing human beings. The categorization is rather a view from far that ignores the
complexities of human minds. A giver cannot realistically be all good and a taker cannot be all bad. The
way the book puts givers under the umbrella of a generosity based culture implies that giving is the only
right road to success. It stigmatizes the concept of taking, regardless of circumstances. A reader may find
themselves under the impression that it is never okay to take regardless of the level of necessity. Hence,
it can be argued that the black and white approach may portray the writing as somewhat biased in
favour of the givers category.

Conclusion
The book does a commendable job of directing its readers to an evidently effective approach to success
and hence, the readers are advised to open this book with a mind that is open to learn. This is because
the book has a lot to teach. It encourages adaption of characteristics such as generosity and critical
thinking as it enlightens on concepts such as The Ripple Effect and disagreeing agreeably. Possession of
such characteristics can heavily enrich one’s social life and overall reputation. The book furthermore
provides detailed and comprehensive instructions on how being a part of the giving culture can lead to
success in effective communication, conflict resolution, organizational culture and the overall wellbeing
of the society at large. Readers are therefore advised to not only read the book, but also remember its
teachings and apply them to their ways of leading life.