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David and Goliath

Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
Community comment are the opinions of contributing users. These comment do not represent the opinions of Vancouver Public Library.
Jul 29, 2014danielestes rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I've come to expect a higher standard from Malcolm Gladwell and his latest work, David and Goliath, is another compelling triumph. Similar to how his previous book, Outliers: The Story of Success, explores the complex underpinnings of the popular success narrative, this one takes the underdog v giant narrative, turns it on its head, and shows the contradictory variables at work. We mythologize the Davids and the Goliaths of this world in a way that grossly underestimates the underdog's inherent advantage and the giant's masked weaknesses. My favorite moments are the comparisons of the "big fish / little pond" and "little fish / big pond" examples. Classic Gladwell and spot on! I was absorbed throughout with the exception of a portion near the middle. My attention noticeably waned as he discussed the Civil Rights Movement and the British occupation of Ireland. I think that, looking back, even though the material relates to the underdog's resourcefulness and the inverted U-shaped curve previously introduced, the connection to the book's central thesis wasn't as clear here as in the other chapters.