Preview
  • 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 (24,354 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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Best book I have ever read

Amazing book, masterfully chosen and articulated compilation of stories. I would recommend it to anyone.

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great book, excellent reading

very interesting, and very well read by the author. I'm glad the performance was as good as it was because I really wanted to hear this book and not have to abandon it due to unbearable reading!

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A different point of view

I enjoyed his stories as always. His points were thought provoking. Although I agree with his conclusion, I think he stretched the available evidence on the three strikes law to fit his conclusion. Still, it was an enjoyable read and it helped me to see the world in a different way.

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Excellent Read

This book is so enlightening and thought provoking. The title is a bit deceiving but in a good way. I will listen again. So much insight into humanity.

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Giant truths unpacked

Smooth, beautiful narration entices one to come back for more of what everyone wants; a more enlightened and higher view of what we thought we already knew. Surprising and thoughtful twists and turns through concepts folks mostly accept at face value, but rarely explore or adventure into further than that. Excitement builds over the treasure of priceless knowledge as the author guides one through a behind the scenes look at how one can better prepare to take on and overcome all manner of giants. This book delivers all it promises and more.

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Riveting

Malcolm Gladwelll has done it again! He takes the reader on a winding journey.

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Great insights

Life can be gray, and thank you Malcolm for more examples and understanding. Great read!

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Mixed feelings

The way the book began was captivating and made sense. At times I would get lost in the process because he would skip from one story to another and then back to the first story. Then With all the statistics and such I kept hoping for “the answer” to all these stories. His presentation left me in a state of wonder and questioning and so I suppose that makes it good. It would be good to have the book in hand though if you like to hi-lite or write in the margins.

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wonderful

Absolutely wonderful book, it's a must read. I have read it many times. Very well written and very interesting.

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Another hit from Malcom

Just what you would expect from Malcom. So well thought out and a joy to listen to.

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