David and Goliath

Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

By: Malcolm Gladwell

Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell

Length: 7 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Nonfiction, 2014

Explore the power of the underdog in Malcolm Gladwell's dazzling examination of success, motivation, and the role of adversity in shaping our lives, from the best-selling author of The Bomber Mafia.

Three thousand years ago on a battlefield in ancient Palestine, a shepherd boy felled a mighty warrior with nothing more than a stone and a sling, and ever since then the names of David and Goliath have stood for battles between underdogs and giants. David's victory was improbable and miraculous. He shouldn't have won.

Or should he have?

In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwellchallenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, or cope with a disability, or lose a parent, or attend a mediocre school, or suffer from any number of other apparent setbacks.

Gladwell begins with the real story of what happened between the giant and the shepherd boy those many years ago. From there, David and Goliath examines Northern Ireland's Troubles, the minds of cancer researchers and civil rights leaders, murder and the high costs of revenge, and the dynamics of successful and unsuccessful classrooms - all to demonstrate how much of what is beautiful and important in the world arises from what looks like suffering and adversity.

In the tradition of Gladwell's previous best-sellers - The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw - David and Goliath draws upon history, psychology, and powerful storytelling to reshape the way we think of the world around us.

©2013 Malcolm Gladwell (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Perfect book for the underdog

Excellent book, almost as good as outliers, it complements outliers in a way that shows why having a limited amount of options may be a good thing, and why having too many options may be a bad thing.

A Must Read for every parent

Would you consider the audio edition of David and Goliath to be better than the print version?

Yes, as I am Dyslexic! And Mr. Gladwell reads very well and is entertaining

What other book might you compare David and Goliath to and why?

Most of his books are very good. In non fiction I also enjoyed The Great Influenza by
John M Barry.

What does Malcolm Gladwell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Inflection and emphasis and entertainment.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was great food for thought even when I disagreed with him. The book also provoked
great conversations with friends and family members.

Any additional comments?

For slow readers, dyslexics and insomniacs Audible is wonderful! My children gave
me a gift certificate for my birthday which I have almost used up this month. David and
Goliath was one of the books on Audible I used with my gift certificate.

Overcoming Overwhelming Odds

I have listened to the reading of this book at a time when I am facing a giant in my own life. This is a timely and assuring book on how to face your biggest fight and win. I strongly recommend the book to any one who is leading and care about how to encourage the people under the person's influence. Excellent book for any audience. Thanks for the inspiration.

For those walking the more difficult path

An absolutely fantastic read and experience. I will be encouraging others to read this book.

Great book. Long stories, a bit romanticized, but good insights

It’s a great book as all book from Malcolm. Mind that 70-80% of the book are the stories, full of details which makes you imagem the whole scene. The theory and take aways are just a few though.

love it

Great information and makes you think about all topics covered in the book. love the book

Surprising Results Not Intuitive

I appreciated hearing about results one wouldn't expect. An eye-opening narrative of what you wouldn't necessarily expect. Good listen.

Inspiring and entertaining

Mr. Gladwell is an inspired writer and orator. He presents us with an entertaining view of issues that influence the way we perceive and interact with others and explains how, even for the underdog, there is hope of success as long as you know how to use what you've got! #Inspiring #Witty #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

The Wisdom of Gladwell

As a woman who earned a PhD in Clinical & Community Psychology & has seen many thousands of psychotherapy clients over the last twenty years, I believe I learn nearly as much about human nature with each of Malcolm Gladwell's books I read (or listen to,) as I do in a year of work & training. Or more accurately, perhaps, Gladwell's erudite research and writing help me synthesize so much that I observe in my own studies & in the consulting room. I had the opportunity to meet Gladwell, briefly, after hearing him speak at the American Psychological Association in Boston, in August of 2008. His vitality is palpable; I think he makes a huge difference in the world through his work. DAVID & GOLIATH is probably my favorite of his books thus far. It's something when one can say, particularly of a non-fiction piece, "I couldn't put it down."

Dr. Ruth Wittersgreen

Validating

Loved the mix of story telling on a backdrop of true story and data. Using artful story telling and narration to take a deeper view and give rise to another plausible perspective. This book's unique perspective is validating for everyone that has ever felt like an outsider as well as those on the inside hopefully bringing a plausible possibility not considered before.