• 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 (24,266 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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good read

very thorough research and comparison when looking at different paradigms. great for provoking thought. the audio was also good for drawing the listener into the situations.

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Another good one

Love listening to Malcolm's books. So thought provoking and interesting.

Made me really think about what is going on around me.

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Malcolm Gladwell At His Finest

Gladwell always asks his readers to be open to the possibility that the opposite of what they believe may be true. Beginning with the story of David and Goliath, he makes the argument that weakness can be its own advantage and follows this thread through dozens of examples. A fantastic example of the kind of book that will change your mindset for the rest of your life.

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Not only enjoy listening to the story,

As the book said, underdogs win all the time. It surely provides the great encouragement.

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A wonderful surprise!

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

I'm not sure what I was expecting with this audiobook, but it was fascinating. Gladwell's stories are rich and interesting and his voice is very pleasant to listen to.

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

I think I loved all of the stories about turning your supposed "challenge" into a positive. I was especially intrigued hearing about people with dyslexia and who it actually helped them in business.

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Great book! Very thought-provoking.

Really enjoyed reading this book! it helped me understand different points of you very well.

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  • Ed
  • 12-19-18

Phenomenal

This book is a must read in order to grasp the basics on how to defeat the seemingly powerful as an underdog with more than you can expect from a simple David and Goliath story. The book is not saturated in research while it grasps the power of real world anecdotes to explain the power of the underdog. I highly recommend this read.

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Seeing through Malcolm's eyes

Malcolm Gladwell does not disappoint in this artfully narrated, and expertly researched book about our assumptions regarding power: who has it, how it is used, and what it actually is. I encourage any business executive to read this to prepare for the battles to come, if your business is not already embroiled in them.

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decent. main point is learned in first chapter

hi this is my review. the book was entertaining and thought provoking. a decent book

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Gladwell never disappoints!

I wish I had read it with the book club, but it won't be my turn to recommend for a long time and I couldn't wait. It's so good I want everyone to enjoy it and then reap the benefits of the thoughtful discussion it inspires.

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