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

Power in the pages

when I heard Malcolm Gladwell mention this I in the ad for masterclass I assumed that it was fiction and of course was surprised but this was beautifully written beautifully narrated and it flowed like a novel. However I think that now that I've had the privilege of listening to it I will instead purchase the print book and use it as a reference.

perfect timing

I needed to hear this book at exactly the time I read it. I am a fan of MG through his Revisionist History podcast and read Outliers what seems like a million years ago. Saw him being interviewed for his new book by Oprah Winfrey, but his new book wasn't out yet... so I chose this. I am thinking about the stories in each chapter days and days after I read them. Basic ideas but told in a way that stays with you... and backed by research and information. To summarize I pull a phrase from my mother during my childhood: "No grit, no pearl." So true.

Excellent, again...

Where does David and Goliath rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top with his other books.

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

Giant and David...perfect title selection.

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

David...

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

Relating the stories to well-known historical stories.

Any additional comments?

A new way of looking at history...

Important life lessons

Malcolm Gladwell uses a series of anecdotes to highlight how when faced with adversity one must often think outside the accepted normal human response. Those who were willing to disregard conventional wisdom often found themselves in advantageous positions.

One of my favorite authors and narrators

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

I love the pacing and tone of Mr. Gladwells delivery. He obviously is well aware of the content but he presents in a way that makes it dynamic and entertaining.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the bit about how disagreeableness doesn't always mean that you are just unpopular or being obstinate. Disagreeableness is sometimes the thing that makes doing your job easier. When you don't have to worry about what people think, it is much easier to follow your heart and just do what you think in right.

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

Where the police chief went around giving turkeys to the kids. The idea of helping criminals and being of service to them is such a dichotomy, that this really explained how doing something so counter-intuitive wound up being a blessing for everyone involved.

Any additional comments?

Malcolm Gladwell is my favorite non-fiction author and reader. His books will change the way that you think about things. It is so interesting how he takes data and ideas and merges them together.

Think About it Again

While it may not change your mind it will make you think about your beliefs and challenges you to view opposing mind sets. I enjoyed how he brought up many common ideas and asked you to view them from another point of view. His questioning of some issues may be uncomfortable; but isn't learning something new always uncomfortable?

Well read and well written.

Another excellent book, Must READ for Dyslexias

I have yet to listen to something from Malcolm Gladwell that I did not consider excellent. Having dyslexia really makes this book a must read. For I was driving in my car to work listening to this book, was on the portion of dyslexia and had to pull off the side of the road for I started crying. The tears were hearing someone understood and be able to explain all that I’ve gone through in my life. I’ve never been able to put into words or understood truly my issues. For you ask a hearing impaired person or sight impaired person what is a here and what do they see what all they have heard and seen was nothing. Asking a dyslexic why do you read this, do you reverse letters, how are you not reading this correctly. Is the same thing of asking a blind person what they see. All I know is I would not be as successful as I am without being dyslexic, I do not believe I would have pushed myself or have gotten the support from my parents if it was easy. As Mr. Gladwell states in the book, I would not wish this on anyone but it disadvantage I do not see it as.

I consider myself a very successful architect, I specialize in hospitals. Very technically/complicated building, I’m considered a code expert which requires reading and understanding. I contribute my dyslexia to giving me the gift of understanding. Very difficult for me to read the codebooks, my comprehension level is high

once again, gladwell didn't disappoint

once again, gladwell gives great perspective and insight by providing real life examples. I loved the concepts and how he explains that winning at your own game and not trying to beat them at theirs is one of the keys to success. many great thoughts in this book. lots of light bulb moments.

Good, but not Malcolm Gladwell's best

Still full of data and stories you'd expect from his books, along with unique insights. But some of these "insights" felt a bit stretched.

With that said, still a pleasurable and thought provoking experience. Recommend, if you don't have other burning desires on your reading list.

An easy and fruitful listen

The book does a good job of delivering on and giving contemporary perspective to and ancient tale.