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

Gladwell knocks it out of the park again.

A series of true stories illustrating a single point. The point being that some percieved advantages may not be advantages at all. Many of the stories are moving, some tragic. Gladwell's writing style and narration, as always, is the main selling point. He keeps you interested. Not saying the content of the book is not interesting in and of itself, it is. Its a lot to unpack in a single short review. If you are a fan of Malcom's work, then you should listen. If you are a fan, honestly you should listen to all his books. If not, this is a great one to introduce yourself to his style. I would not call this a history book, though it most certainly will give you a lesson or two in history if that is something you are looking for. History seems to always be the stage that Gladwell stands on to make his case. This is not a self help book by the way, if anyone here is thinking that based on the title. Highly recomend.

loved it, top three Gladwell book

again great data with stories to back. it was very interesting to learn about our societal misconceptions of deficiencies

Malcolm writes well

Malcom knows his material. His stories are interesting. I was looking for business triumphs so was not able to dial in like I wanted, hence the four star.

Interesting viewpoint

If you consider yourself disagreeable and find yourself standing alone frequently you should read this.

Love his books

The second half of this one dragged on for me, but still a great book.

Excellent book. Definitely worth listening too!!!

Excellent book. It is definitely worth listening too!!!

I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Good read

I cried like a baby. All the stories told where wonderful in their own way.

Great book!

This was a great book. It gets better the longer you read. It is about how overcoming adversity can make us stronger and how too much of something “good” can have diminishing returns.

Malcolm gladwell is an absolute stud as an author

I can't get enough of Malcolm gladwell's books! he goes so far in depth to explain his point that I feel intoxicated to listen to the book straight through. he does great narrating the book and making you feel like you're sitting next to him

Overall good perspective

Overall good perspective on a range of issues. A bit light on actual practical solutions sometimes (e.g. prisoner sentencing)

Enjoyed the book!