David and Goliath
By Malcolm Gladwell
- Release Date: 2013-10-01
- Genre: Psychology
Description
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 bestselling 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 bestsellers—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.
Reviews
Amazing book!
4By ian ordenesIn David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell, I like how he has different sources of reliability so that it shows his readers how the opinions of people in it are credible. I thought that it helped that he included sports references because it helped me to better understand his main ideas and concepts. I found his stories very interesting and those examples gave me the ability to understand what he was saying and what he meant.However I feel like he tells a lot of stories and uses them to carry across his points rather than arguing. On the other hand this book was the perfect length and didn't discourage me at all.Will change how you look at things and refresh on history
5By ZMOA8819Easy to read, with interesting historical facts that will without a doubt, change the way you look at “competition” that involves an “underdog”.Strengths and Weaknesses
4By Richard BakareGladwell possesses a beautiful writing style that can pull you into any topic in a way, such that you never want to pull away. He applies that skill masterfully here in assessing the true nature of Strengths and Weaknesses. Navigating through different periods of history he dissects Paper Champions (Goliaths) who lost to or at least could not dissuade the Davids on the other side of the valley. Using the narratives of the overlooked stories of the voices history often forgets, Gladwell demonstrates three key phenomena that demonstrate how we often over estimate strengths and focus in too greatly on apparent weaknesses. Without giving away spoilers, the three concepts I found most fascinating in this book were most importantly, our inability to see past advantageous and disadvantages on the surface. The tale of David and Goliath being the most prominent allegory of this dilema. The second key concept is the problem of the Inverted U-Shaped Curve. This problem illustrates how more is not often better and after a certain point does more harm than good; i.e. you cannot always just throw money and resources at the problem. Lastly, Gladwell does a great job detailing how Power / Leadership cannot succeed without Legitimacy. Moreover, that it cannot be won through brute force but must happen at the ground level, eye-to-eye. Every time I read Gladwell, I feel like I am getting a MasterClass in history. Talking to Strangers remains my favorite of his books but they are all amazing in their own way. This one in particular is especially meaningful right now in 2020. The stories and perspectives in it may be the best guide on how to persevere and resist in the face of seemingly overwhelming circumstances.まはま や
3By Guido219っまみさはららのでまさ かな(^-^)/やなラにはな(^-^)/まなやかかなわやになもやかささたやわはinsightful analysis
5By BaseballGI found this book well written and logically sound. I am so glad I picked and I will read it more than once.Great Book on Underdogs!
5By JoheezmcIn life, we sometimes face adversaries and situations as the precarious underdog. This book illustrates the greatest underdog victories in history, and emphasizes how being the underdog is, more times than not, a good thing. This book goes on to teach how to remain extremely humble and to remain intelligent and laser focused during the most intense challenges. In many cases, the calm underdog prevails against the favorite that is arrogant and makes their power and reputation their weakness. Great read for all walks of life.MUST READ
5By TAJMusicYour outlook on life in general will change when your finished this book and by default your going to brush up on world history..lol Need I Say More?David and Goliath
5By Wiley WheelerLoved it! Embrace difficulties and grow!A unique perspective...
5By NewMomTwoThis book makes me think about things in a new way, simple as that. Mr. Gladwell is such a talented communicator and he has, again, chosen to present information about interesting people. Truly, any curious and open-minded person will find this book fascinating.David And Goliath
5By AProEvery chapter shines an inspires.David and Goliath
4By azbuckshotExcellent book. Used the concepts both professionally and personally. So often people use their stories as a crutch or an excuse other than an opportunity and gift that shapes who we are.Only partially readable
3By NordexpressEnjoyed his other books, but this one fails to deliver. Ended up skimming some chapters, while others were very interesting. Not quite what I expected in terms of content on the subject.Disappointing
1By Table saw 3/19/14After three chapters still could not get interested in this book.Insightful as always
5By colette_cocoWorth the readAnother Gladwell great
5By Michaela6590If you like any of his others then you'll like this one. More great work by Gladwell. Very insightful, thought provoking, and rich with history.Don't waste your money
1By SavvyPaperLuckily the first chapter is a sample. Read it and it will convince you to save your money.Life Changing - Thank You Mr. Gladwell
5By AgethejediI so looked forward to the release of this book thinking it would be the book of my life. It is, but not for the reasons I thought. This is a work that made me realize that there is something deeper in the human condition that we all might tap into. Faith and weapons of the spirit were not the notions I expected Gladwell to explore. I expected a book on strategy . Instead my view of of my life was reversed. The son of the high school drop out father and mentally ill mother should become a statistic.. I did not, and this book explains why. It was surprising to learn that I was never the underdog at all. David's and Goliaths alike will learn something from this book. Mr. Gladwell if ever happen to read this, thank you! You will likely never know what you have meant to my life.Excellent read
5By yeah;This book was more than an interesting look at some interesting trends. It was a stunning snapshot of the human condition.David and Goliath
5By Justin.T.NYCGreat read!!! Worth the read!!!
