David and Goliath

Swing and a miss

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I wouldn't recommend this. I've been a fan of Gladwell's since Blink. While Outliers was over-long, there was plenty of interesting stuff in there. But David & Goliath smacks of contractual obligation. The upshot is that the underdog needs to think a little differently in order to topple Goliath. Well, thanks, Malcolm.

What was most disappointing about Malcolm Gladwell’s story?

I kept waiting for him to take the stories he was telling and explain how perhaps we could apply it to our own lives. He didn't really do this. It was essentially Jackanory, with Malcolm telling a few stories - about civil rights, about the troubles in Northern Ireland - with little point. As a listener, there was a lot of "And?"

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

Gladwell is a very good narrator. As is often the case with authors reading their own work, you can tell he really cares about his work. This certainly elevates it.

Was David and Goliath worth the listening time?

Ultimately, at seven hours, no, David & Goliath wasn't worth the reading time.

Any additional comments?

I'm still a fan of Gladwell and would check out his next work - he's an interesting voice. Let's hope this is just a rare misstep in an otherwise highly interesting and provocative career.

24 people found this helpful

Good but becomes quite morbid

It begins fantastically and really captures your attention. However, by half way through, you realise that you need to work out why each comparable situation to the story of David and Goliath, ‘David’ won. There is a lot more story-telling than explanations and, especially, with no concluding chapter, it does make you think.

3 people found this helpful

Rather too simplistic even for Gladwell

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Gladwell's continued cherry picking of selective 'evidence' in order to demonstrate a point without ever really testing any of the hypotheses he puts forward. The point was well made in the opening chapter when talking about the girls basketball team but went on a steady decline thereafter.'

What could Malcolm Gladwell have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

See above. I know the simplification of popular psychology is his 'style' however too selective and too simple this time.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Malcolm Gladwell?

The narration was fine and where possible or practical I like to listen to an audio book narrated by the author. Gladwell does a fine job in this regard.

Do you think David and Goliath needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. I think the concept was exhausted in the first chapter.

Any additional comments?

Despite my comments above I enjoyed parts of the text and it passed the time on the walk to the station. That was until the chapter on the troubles in Northern Ireland. This chapter was a biased, poorly researched abomination that presents 'facts' in such a way that anyone reading this chapter who was ignorant of the facts of the troubles would be left with a very different impression of what actually happened during this time.

The following text from another online review makes the point far better than I could, so I have quoted it below."One might imagine, on the basis of Gladwell’s account, that the majority of the casualties of the Troubles were killed by British forces. In fact, around 60 percent of the more than 3,500 people killed between 1969 and 2001 were killed by Republican forces, 30 percent by Ulster loyalists, and 10 percent by British troops. Within this overall figure, British forces and local security services suffered more than 1,100 deaths. If the British were Goliath in this conflict, they suffered a good many wounds in its course.

Gladwell’s account does more than oversimplify. It is a kind of moral cartoon, a rendition of events in which there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome by reasonable men and women of goodwill. He tells us nothing of the lengthy and tortuous path that led to the relative peace that prevails in Northern Ireland today. If only he had been around to have a quiet word with British commanders, Gladwell seems to be suggesting, and share a few academic papers with them, none of the horrors that unfolded need ever have happened."

10 people found this helpful

Very insightful.

Would recommend this book to anyone. Gave very good insights for people with seeming disadvantages.

2 people found this helpful

Another great Gladwell book

5 stars. Gladwell at his best. insightful and moving the author takes you on a great journey. 5 stars.

2 people found this helpful

loved every minute

classic Malcolm Glad we'll full of great stories and cutting insights. highly recommended to all

2 people found this helpful

Some valuable life lessons

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

It's up there with the rest of the books I have read and also with other Gladwell books that I have read.

What about Malcolm Gladwell’s performance did you like?

His performance adds huge value to the book. So well told.

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

It made me connect to many ideas I have heard elsewhere and helped me see them more clearly. I now employ ideas when coaching my clients.

2 people found this helpful

Incredible book

Great narrating by MG and one of the best books I came across this year.

2 people found this helpful

Thoughtful and inspirational

A little of this was repetitive but the overall information was thought provoking and inspiring for those of us who are the ‘Davids’ of this world.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent

One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. Couldn’t stop listening to it. Highly recommended.

2 people found this helpful