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

48 Laws of Power Without The Evil Vibe

Make no mistake, this book borrows heavily from Robert Greene. However, while Greene glorifies manipulation, politics and lack of morality in general, this books presents these in a better, lighter way.

In other words it is how to wage warfare in life if you are the underdog when the odds are against in your favor. The last part of the book inclines heavily towards behavioral economics. Some parts are interesting, some not so much. Some simply explain how counter-intuitive systems works but do not provide a real alternative to the problem. You are left with picking the least evil, as there is no real good.

If you've read "48 Laws of Power" or "The Prince", this book will not teach you new things, apart from a history lesson in segregation and the 13 year Irish war.

Good read to noodle on, but sometimes misdirected

The concept is interesting and compelling. but a few times the message was lost in the cadre of stories. Some major leaps to connect the concept are made that can easily be contested for the opposite interpretation. but nevertheless, the book delivers in providing ample material to think on long after you've finished a chapter, and you'll find yourself defining Davids and Goliaths in your day to day.

Out of despair can rise an indomitable force

Zigzagging through dozens of seemingly unconnected stories, Gladwell explores how greatness can arise from life's difficulties, unfairness, and tragedies. "One time in ten out of that despair rises an indomitable force." The "Davids" explored include orphans, dyslexics, bomb survivors, civil rights leaders, and more. Gladwell is a wonderful storyteller and (who knew?) a powerfully restrained reader. And along the way, Gladwell never forgets the other 9 out of 10 (e.g., the disproportionate number of inmates with dyslexia or that lost a parent when young).

Excellent Book! This One Is A Reader!

I liked this book a whole lot! The beginning of it starts off a little strange and sounds religious, but then that changes and the book goes into the spiritual direction completely. A great book for inspiration and learning about how societies before us reacted through difficult circumstances. I got to learn how a lot of violent and controlling super powers from the past actually had their tactics backfire on them in the long run. Simply amazing!

Wonderful and thought provoking

Thank you Malcolm for another great of wisdom and intellectual insight. I can't wait for your next one!

good anectodes and nice idea. narration was okay

good story. like his thoughts. some seem repetitive when compared to other books but this is worth the listen

1st book I've finished in 2013 and its December!

What made the experience of listening to David and Goliath the most enjoyable?

I recently heard Malcolm speak and he was so articulate that I was excited to see he read his own book. It made the experience so real since I could imagine him speaking and recalling all the great research he had done.

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

I found the story of Dyslexia and questions he asked very provoking. I also loved the concept of the inverted Bell curve with regards to education.

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

Br'er Rabbit

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the story of forgiveness.

Any additional comments?

Not proud that it took me so long to get through a book but how could I not get through this book after just attending a lecture by him?

Another awesome investigation by Malcom Gladwell

I'd recommend this book along with his other books, blink, outliers, and the tipping point. I'm glad that the author reads it as well.

Very well read by Author

Under most circumstances it is a bad idea for the author to read their book. Most cannot do it. I did not get that experience in this book, as I was surprised to hear it read very well

Good but not the best

Gladwell is a gifted writer and an exceptional narrator. He brings these talents to bear on his newest book and deliveres a great performance as usual. Unfortunately, the content isn't as strong as a couple of his previous books. The connections between the stories and his overall premise is a bit stretched at times and occasionally difficult to see how they relate.

Still a good buy however with some solid takeaways and as usual, a new perspective on the world.