• David and Goliath

  • Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
  • By: Malcolm Gladwell
  • Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
  • Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (24,257 ratings)

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David and Goliath  By  cover art

David and Goliath

By: Malcolm Gladwell
Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, October 2013 - Get ready to have your view of the world turned upside down. Malcolm Gladwell - best-selling author of Blink, The Tipping Point, and Outliers - returns to present new ways of looking at why being among the advantaged is not always advantageous. David & Goliath explores the \"art of battling giants\" through the personal accounts of underdogs and misfits whose wild success stories are often falsely considered flukes. This is not a sentimental celebration of good things happening to good people. In true Gladwellian fashion, the real reasons behind so many pull-from-behind wins are completely unexpected. And if you've ever heard any of the author's many speaking engagements you know to expect a lively listening experience with Gladwell narrating the book himself. (Tricia, Audible Editor)

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

What listeners say about David and Goliath

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Touching, inspiring, cultivating

An inspiring book that teaches us the secret strengths of an "underdog." This book should be read many times throughout ones life.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

worth it

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would up to 3/4 of the way through, then it gets a little long. I think it does a great job of pointing out everyday events in a new light- which is something Gladwell excels at.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The character who chose the hardest school and ended up leaving science as a result was my favorite. Probably because I felt like it is something that happens to more people everyday and people never see it.

Which character – as performed by Malcolm Gladwell – was your favorite?

no opinion- he does a good job with these readings

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, for the most part. I enjoyed listening to it on what would have otherwise been a boring car trip-part of the reason I chose a Gladwell book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • 02-11-16

Great

Really enjoyed it. Great story telling and memorably told. I highly recommend it. You'll gasp and shed a tear while being amazed at the comparisons and similarities in major historical figures.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful and Inspiring Book

This book brings to light the power of being an underdog. Simply wonderful and moving.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Why the little guy wins

I love Gladwell's books and love that he reads them. This piece explains why the underdog wins - and why it shouldn't surprise us when he does.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So much life wisdom in such little time.

Fantastic audiobook! This one connected with me more than the other books. It was more about the beauty of human struggle, and it will be something I hold with me.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Yet again amazing

I love how Gladwell writes. I have listened to every one of his books this month because I couldn't get enough. Great book

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How underdogs defeat incumbent giants

If you could sum up David and Goliath in three words, what would they be?

Speed over size

What was one of the most memorable moments of David and Goliath?

David's victory over Goliath was not surprising result. David had competitive advantage in the battle from the beginning. People tend to see the size more than the real competitive advantage.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good book

As he always does Malcolm provides a holistic look at situations we think we fully understand but do not. This book is the opposite of today's sound bite culture.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another great one by Gladwell

Would you listen to David and Goliath again? Why?

I would. Gladwell always has a way of making you look at the seemingly obvious a little differently.

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

Perhaps, "Blink", in that Gladwell presents a different take on common occurences.

Which character – as performed by Malcolm Gladwell – was your favorite?

Not really character driven.

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

Not really. For me this wasn't his most power work. It's sort of like how M. Night Shamalawhateverhisnameis, blew you away with the sixth sense then has been trying to capture audiences in the same manner ever since. Gladwell has consistenly challenged me. This one was very good, but not his best. "Outliers" (continues to) hit me on several emotonal levels. IMO, his best work.

Any additional comments?

No. But looking foward to my next Gladwell read.

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