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  • 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 (24,353 ratings)

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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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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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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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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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Gladwell continues to amaze and encourage

D&G is a series of tales that are most amazing by the sincerity of their truth. Gladwell breaks down complex ideas, adds the human spirit to them, and brings ideas to life. An excellent book. Excellent title.

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great!

another great book by Malcolm Gladwell. great and easy read, listen to this book today.

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inspirational

this book is a collection of examples in posttraumatic growth, and reframing negative factors in one's life experiences to show their positive potential. as usual, Malcolm Gladwell is a genius at describing concepts that can be abstract and difficult to grasp in a way that is not only enlightening but also entertaining.

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A story of statistical faith

I want to write and tell stories like Malcom.
That ending tho.
Really should get the physical copy

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Another, Wait before you think you know the story

Really enjoy the detailed research, conveyed in a way that weaves very interesting stories.

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one of the best books I have read

Gladwell is a master in helping us consider the world in a new light. The diligent research and honest, objective presentation of material gives us a chance to adopt different ways of thinking and appreciating events and human behavior. Hopefully, we can use these lessons for the betterment of individual and community.

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Story is a bit lacking, but overall good

Easy to follow and enough stories to boast Gladwells central argument, though the sheer amount of stories does add a sense of drudgery. Overall excellent work.

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