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

Malcolm Gladwell does not disappoint

What did you like about this audiobook?

The stories that are told in the book are captivating and intriguing. Malcolm Gladwell provides a host of characters who give colourful illustration to his central theme of disadvantages being advantageous and advantages sometimes being crippling disadvantages. Having the author narrate made it a much more intimate experience.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I think that some of the concepts that are explored are worthy to be tested in a setting where social issues collide with technical challenges.

Do you have any additional comments?

Having read Tipping Point I am tempted to listen to it to see if I gain any additional insights by having the author read it. A quality product throughout.

Good points, shaky data

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

The stories and details Gladwell share so engagingly are truly memorable.

What other book might you compare David and Goliath to and why?

This book is most like Gladwell's other work, "The Tipping Point"

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Malcolm Gladwell is a great storyteller but his voice is not trained for, nor especially suited to reading out loud. Although the author can often lend especial insight into his work, in this case I think he would have done better hiring someone else to take care of the reading.

very uplifting, inspiring

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

Speak well to any one overcoming difficulties in life, not pollyannic at all.

What did you like best about this story?

Chapter about dyslexia.

What does Malcolm Gladwell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Provides confirmation on life experiences that would have been lost otherwise.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

i don't think it could be scripted as a motion picture. It seems more conceptual than literal.

Any additional comments?

The book lives up to the tittle.

Makes you think!

Very interesting!

Brings so many theories of who has the upper hand in sports, college choices, war, school class size, religion under the light and show how those strengths can be the same weaknesses.

How under estimating the opponent and believing in your own strategy can completely change the way the game is played!

This may be Gladwell's best book to date

Would you consider the audio edition of David and Goliath to be better than the print version?

Yes. Because the author reads this book himself, you really get the true tone and context of what he is trying to convey.

What did you like best about this story?

That adversity may very often be much more than an obstacle, but also an advantage. This book includes some wonderful history about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, Northern Ireland, and a doctor's quest to cure Leukemia.

Have you listened to any of Malcolm Gladwell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to The Tipping Point, Blink and Outliers and I think this may be his best book yet.

Classic Gladwell

If, like me, you are a Gladwell fan, you will not be disappointed! Listen now!

interesting book

this book was very interesting, and definitely not what I expected. it was good overall

The advantages of disadvantages

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I definitely would, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in motivation or that stoicism is a great outlook on life. This book teaches lessons using examples from the old story of David and Goliath to examples from different CEOs who have had to face adversities in their life which have helped them to become better suited later on in life.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the message that this book conveyed and Malcolm Gladwell did a wonderful job authoring this book.

Have you listened to any of Malcolm Gladwell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have read his books but this was the only one that I listened to, it compares to the full experience of reading the books, he is a great author.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have an extreme reaction, however, it was not an emotional book so much as it was very interesting.

Mostly Great.

Would you consider the audio edition of David and Goliath to be better than the print version?

I might prefer the print edition to be able to back and forth between "lessons" to make connections and to review. It is easy to forget some of a lesson when you listen days apart. Mr. Gladwell does a decent job of jogging your memory throughout, but each person's need for a refresher is an individual one.

What did you like best about this story?

What is best is that Mr. Gladwell peels back layers to expose ideas and elements I missed and would otherwise miss in a surficial inspection. His research, as always, is pretty incredible. He is obviously a well-read and deep-thinking person. He is an asset to us all.

Which scene was your favorite?

The exposition of David vs. Goliath was my favorite. He really pulled me in with his take on that confrontation. It clearly illustrated his point that sometimes what we see as an advantage is a disadvantage, and vice versa.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think. It will be a reminder for me to turn things over and think about them from the other perspective. It will also force me to recast what I view as disadvantages.

Any additional comments?

I preferred Outliers, but I still liked this book very much.

The ultimate guide of the underdog

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Gladwell is amazing. His stories are breathtaking, addictive, life changing. It entertaind and educate in the same time. It enlighten and broaden your view on the world.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rajiv, the basketball trainer

Which scene was your favorite?

The David and Goliath fight

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

The story on Northern Ireland, when the catholics bring food to their besieged neighbours.

Any additional comments?

If you ever fought a fight with a bigger, stronger, more affluent opponent, you wish you have read this book before.