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David and Goliath
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants | Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell, the #1 bestselling author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw, offers his most provocative---and dazzling---book yet.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 Gladwell challenges 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.
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SMH86
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Pickpick

Great book with historical and biblical contexts. bigger, smarter, stronger is relative to comparative similarity/differences and purpose.

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SabGinesi
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Reading this book now, pretty disappointed because I liked his other book Outliers but this falls short.

Too bad!

#february

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ncsufoxes
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Pickpick

I‘m a big fan of Malcolm Gladwell & his books. I enjoy his insights & connections he makes to different experiences to psychology or educational based theories. This book explores people that are considered underdogs in our society & how they can overcome their obstacles. Although some people still have many other obstacles in place that can make success difficult, some people can find advantages in their perceived disadvantages. The book explores

ncsufoxes different moments in time: like the Civil Rights Movement, policing programs that try to use unconventional methods to help juveniles, CA 3 strikes law, & successful adults with dyslexia & the way they could push boundaries to use their disability to their benefit. #bookspin book 1y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 1y
marleed I feel the same way - I lean so much from him. 1y
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marleed
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Pickpick

I finished this and then looked at the publish date (2013) - it could have been published this year since no example is lessened by nearly 10 years. Malcolm has such a thought provoking way of making a point through his use of statistics and example. The chapters on class size, on dyslexia, and 3-strikes laws will stay with me. I‘ll forever more consider David as the expert sharpshooter of his day. …I‘ve now read all the Gladwell canon!

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Vivlio_Gnosi
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Bought this book at Argosy Book Store in NYC

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MelKelsey
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Panpan

Book 140

I listened to David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants for a book club. The examples are shallow, trite, and weak. I don't recommend reading this. ⭐⭐

JanuarieTimewalker13 Outliers was good, if you haven‘t read it already. I may have bailed on this one. Yup, I think I did. (edited) 3y
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Eggs
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻📚❤️ 3y
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Eggs
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Any book that helps you see your challenges from a different perspective is a worthy read. Gladwell‘s analogies are simple but full of clarity. #motivates #maycharacters @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻🙌🏻 4y
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Slynn71
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Pickpick

I am feeling a lot like David dealing with the Unemployment office, Golliath.

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Eggs
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This explains SO much 👍🏼. It will have you rethinking about whether circumstances thought to be a disadvantage might really be advantageous...in sports, business, medicine, law, education etc. Its not always bad to be an underdog (they try harder!)

🎧 audio walking/laundering/trying to get groceries - Only Target was open and their shelves are mostly bare ☹️
#fabulousfebruaryreadathon @Andrew65

Crazeedi I read this when it came out. A fascinating book. 4y
PurpleTulipGirl I‘m listening to this on audio. His books always fascinate me. 4y
jewright I added it to my hold list at the library! 4y
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Eggs @Crazeedi @PurpleTulipGirl @jewright 🙌🏻💗📚👍🏼 4y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
Eggs Thanks 😊 @Andrew65 4y
pr.alm Amazing book! 👏🏼 4y
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Borabora
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Pickpick

Wonderful read, enlightining and made you go through a rollercoaster of emotions.

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pr.alm
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Pickpick

By analyzing the composition of the Philistine army, Gladwell suggests that Goliath never stood a chance. His armor made him heavy and denied mobility, while David's small frame and attire gave him speed, and agility. David's sling and his proficiency with it mitigated the need for close combat. Using this analogy throughout the book, Gladwell explores a theme where underdogs use their disadvantages as strengths in their favor to beat the odds.

Mrs_B Hello! A very belated welcome to Litsy! In case you hadn‘t seen it already then please check out https://sites.google.com/view/litsywelcomewagon/home for tips, how to videos and lists of all the things going on. :)
(edited) 4y
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LisaLovesToRead
Pickpick

Another great book by Gladwell. He gets you thinking in a fascinating way.

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Cathern
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Pickpick

Once again m, Malcolm is solidifying his position as one of my favor authors

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Sharpeipup
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Finished product! I‘m pretty proud of them so I‘m attempting a few more. #audiocrafting

squirrelbrain They‘re so cute! ❤️ 4y
MemoirsForMe 😍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
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AmyG Awesome! 4y
Caroline2 They are lovely! 😍 4y
Megabooks Cute!! 😁 4y
Pageturner1 so cute! 😊 4y
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Perfect for today‘s #tarottakeover #thehermit, this book made me think. I had never heard the biblical story explained that David was not at the disadvantage that I had been taught. Two points in this book:

1. In some people, disadvantages, like dyslexia, can bring out creative problem solving.

2. Extreme “advantage”, such as very small class sizes, can create more problems than it solves.

Gladwell explores the sweet spot between the two. 4⭐️🎧

Erinsuereads That's a super interesting take on the hermit! Great choice. I sold so many if these when I worked at branes and noble 4y
Erinsuereads Barnes *** 4y
Meaw_catlady Woah that neat ! And I never thought about it like that!! Thanks for sharing love! 🖤🌙 4y
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Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I love is D&G‘s perspective❣️ 4y
Megabooks @Meaw_catlady it was interesting. He talked about how Goliath was an infantryman & was expecting to have a duel with another infantryman, which was common then. Slingers, like David, were the equivalent of crossbows in the Middle Ages. An excellent slinger could literally hit with the force and accuracy of a shotgun. So, for contemporaries reading and sharing that story, it was not surprising that David won. Things you don‘t learn in Sunday School 4y
Megabooks @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira me too. It was an interesting book. 4y
Meaw_catlady @Megabooks Sunday school says it was a miracle . But miracles don‘t happen anymore because god is mad at us for being so sinful. 4y
Megabooks @Meaw_catlady my Sunday school tried to look at things from a historical perspective, and most people at my church don‘t interpret the Bible literally, but I had never heard this explanation and neither had my dad. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y
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JackieGreco
Pickpick

Malcolm Gladwell is at it again. His books expand my thinking every time I read them.

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JulietReads
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JulietReads
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kricheal
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Pickpick

So far every book that I've read from this author has been a hit. #13 #2020

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JulietReads
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JulietReads
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kricheal
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Starting this next on #overdrive #currentlylistening

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Cinfhen
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Guess who was back at the office of Ministry today??? Guess whose son brought a book along??? #ProudMom #RaisingReaders #TeenEdition ❤️

britt_brooke 💚💚💚 5y
Cinfhen Thanks @britt_brooke 😘 5y
See All 21 Comments
AmyG 🙌🏻 5y
alisiakae 💙🤍💙🤍 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🎊🎉🎊🎉 5y
Cinfhen Thanks friends!! I just love seeing kids/YA reading ~ it warms my ❤️ @4thhouseontheleft @AmyG @erzascarletbookgasm 5y
Cinfhen Thanks, misty 😘 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 5y
TrishB Great pic 👍🏻 5y
merelybookish Raising a handsome reader! 💛 5y
Megabooks Fantastic pic! 5y
dylanisreading I love seeing kids reading! It‘s the best! 5y
Cinfhen He has no clue I snapped the photo 😜 @Megabooks @TrishB let alone that I posted it 🤭 and I agree @Bianca I love seeing kids of all ages with a book in their hands 😍 5y
Cinfhen I think he‘s pretty cute @merelybookish 😊and he‘s sweet too!! 5y
LeahBergen He‘s so cute! 5y
Cinfhen Just like #JohnnyBergen 😘 @LeahBergen (edited) 5y
Cathythoughts Gorgeous pic 👍🏻❤️ 5y
Balibee146 👍👍👍 5y
BarbaraBB Gorgeous pic 😍. And well done mom 😀 mine would only bring his phone 📱 5y
Suet624 A handsome son you have there, made even more so by having a book in his hands. 5y
Cinfhen He‘s becoming a NF reader like his mom!!! And what‘s even better, his older brother gave him the book recommendation @Cathythoughts @Balibee146 @BarbaraBB @Suet624 #DoubleHeart ❤️❤️ 5y
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Vivlio_Gnosi
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Adding this #Nonfiction book to my #TBR stack. Love this author!

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Kell1
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Pickpick

Malcolm Gladwel does it again. This is a great book about underdogs and favourites, in traditional Gladwell fashion it aims to change the paradigm on the perceived advantages of powerful individuals and institutions over the perceived disadvantages of underdogs and why we are wrong in thinking the way we think right now. Very interesting read, will definitely change your perspective on this topic. Recommend it

Crazeedi Yep great book! 5y
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kzdesar1
Pickpick

When I'm looking for something thought provoking I turn to Malcolm Gladwell. I loves this book that explores the way we see "underdogs".

RaimeyGallant Interesting!! And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 5y
LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! If you have any questions, just ask! Litsy is full of friendly people! 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🤗🎈 5y
See All 7 Comments
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 💖📖💖 5y
Crazeedi Gladwell books are good! Welcome! 5y
Slajaunie Welcome to Litsy! 📖📚💙 5y
rretzler Welcome to Litsy! 📖 5y
4 likes7 comments
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nelehelen
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#wondrouswednesday

Thanks for the tag! @julesG

1. David & Goliath
2. Just finished “You Are A Badass”!
3. It was stuff I‘ve at one point practiced in my life. It was helpful to listen to it on audio to keep me pumped throughout the day!
4. I had a major reading slump in my early 20s, so It was years! All I did back then was go out and party! 😂 I‘m so glad I came back to reading, my first love.
5. @Soubhiville @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cinfhen

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💗💗 5y
Eggs Reading: “my first love” That‘s awesome 👏🏻 5y
Soubhiville 💕💕 5y
nelehelen @Eggs ♥️♥️♥️ my first and true love haha 5y
23 likes5 comments
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5280reader
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I enjoyed the stories within this book proving his case about overcoming odds. I always enjoy Gladwell‘s narrative nonfiction style. #LitsyAtoZ

Crazeedi I liked this book, his thoughts on what Goliath suffered from were fascinating 6y
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5280reader
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Walked a cold Lafayette Oatmeal 5K while listening to this book. So interesting- wanted to keep walking to finish the chapter!

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Nebklvr
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Mehso-so

This was quite interesting but it covered such a vast array of subjects that it felt almost scattershot from insurgencies to class size and choice of school. Also, parts of the audio where different legends or myths were read hit me wrong.

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Amiable
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Pickpick

Using examples from the world of business, sports, culture and psychology, Gladwell makes the case for how being weak can actually be a strength and how our goals (often culturally determined) can make a huge difference in our ultimate sense of success. I enjoy his books tremendously. 4 stars

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gracemom
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And to wind down the day...

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JGadz11
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Packing for a trip to Beijing where I‘ll be off the grid for a week. Looking forward to these gems! 📚

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Ethands
Pickpick

Another example of Gladwell showing what would otherwise be overlooked anomalies. How some underdogs success show the weakness of the thought to be powerful. This shows peoples unique strengths, that brings out alot of emotion like hope for the human race. The pain, pride, and power of those told they are week but still rise to the occasion is gripping.
I love his format of short stories of real people to bring together a overarching theme. 8/10.

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razmanda
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Pickpick

Great reading as I drove to the farm and back home this weekend and lots of ideas to bring back to my social and racial justice work.

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Imamacguy17

Thoroughly enjoyed this

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helmeeyo
Pickpick

Interesting insight. Particularly fond of the term ‘desirable difficulty‘. Made me wonder of the one I‘ve had since I was a kid:Tourette‘s Syndrome.

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BooksAtNight
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Thank you to all the #Littens for making this year an amazing reading year. I have read books I never thought I would, actually made a dent in my TBR, and of course, piled on more books. Even when I‘m stressed and about to fall apart, I know there is an amazing group of humans here for me. And Rina says thank you to everyone who complimented her! #poweroflitsy #thankyou

Riveted_Reader_Melissa She is gorgeous!! 7y
Dolly Such a pretty girl ❤️ 7y
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Kristy_K
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Pickpick

My first Gladwell book. I didn't go into with high expectations, but it ended up being really interesting! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#sociology

EllieDottie This is my favorite of his! 7y
melbeautyandbooks I love his books! 7y
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Court7
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First time using a playaway from the library and I have to say, so much easier than CDs for books on tape. Also LOVED this book great reading that improved some long drives and gave some good fodder for conversation with friend. Gladwell had been on my re-read list forever and now that I have tried him I will definitely be seeing out more!

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lennearb
Pickpick

I enjoyed this book, and Gladwell is an excellent reader. However, I didn't feel it was his strongest or possibly my taste has just changed. His strong ethnographic approach is always engaging, but his coverage of the statistical aspects is too brief. I prefer a more even balance.

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annalibris
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Mehso-so

I love Gladwell's other stuff, but this one left me a little "meh." The stories are interesting, and he posits some intriguing ideas, but there's not much of a conclusion and I felt that he just didn't wrap things up, leaving the book more of a collection of examples. Good, but slightly disappointing.

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JGadz11
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Oops, I did it again. #bookbingeattheairport

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smccallum
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Pickpick

Some really interesting ideas and I love how Gladwell weaves everything together, I do think he sometimes pushes forward his side of an argument without really being fair to the other side but only occasionally and on the whole I really enjoyed this, great on audio as well!

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stylizedreading
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Kicking of the #12DaysofBookmas with a fresh layer of snow. I read this a while back, but I thought it was pretty interesting. I will admit that Gladwell's postulations sometimes bothered me because it seemed like most of the conclusions he made came from correlations. That being said, it is a compelling read. Don't forget that Bookmas is happening on Instagram and Litsy 🎄

ReadingEnvy I remember reading Blink and feeling like his conclusion was "sometimes first impressions are right, except for when they arent. 8y
stylizedreading @ReadingEnvy I agree. I think it's because I've become so used to research incorporating heavy evidence (from my love of non-fiction) that a lot of his conclusions seemed like reaches. 8y
ReadingEnvy @stylizedreading yeah... I think without all his postulations he would only have a magazine article on his hands, and not be making the money!! 8y
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smccallum
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On the last errand and then home so lots of catch up posts today but before that to aid the errand I'll keep on listening to this!

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smccallum
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Morning commute = audiobook time

cathysaid How do you like this one? 8y
smccallum @cathysaid I'm finding it to be pretty typical of him; interesting stories and ideas supported by some fascinating tangents. I like him as you always get something new you didn't know before 😊 8y
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