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The cover of David and Goliath

David and Goliath

Malcolm Gladwell, 2013

Why a giant's strengths are often its weakness, and how disadvantage can arm the underdog: David's sling, dyslexic entrepreneurs, civil rights tricksters, and a French village defying Vichy.

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10 parts, about 21 minutes to read.

Why read it

  • Retells David and Goliath to show that a giant's strength can hide weakness, and that underdogs can win by fighting unconventionally
  • Argues that hardships such as dyslexia, losing a parent or wartime bombing can build skill and courage, though many people are crushed
  • Explains why force without legitimacy breeds defiance, in Belfast and in a French village that sheltered Jews, and why harsher sentencing can backfire

Who it is for

  • People facing a larger rival with fewer resources
  • Parents and teachers weighing class size and school choice
  • Readers curious how hardship and disability can shape success

What the summary covers

  1. The Valley of Elah2 min
  2. Vivek Ranadivé2 min
  3. Teresa DeBrito2 min
  4. Caroline Sacks2 min
  5. David Boies2 min
  6. Jay Freireich3 min
  7. Wyatt Walker2 min
  8. Rosemary Lawlor2 min
  9. Wilma Derksen2 min
  10. André Trocmé2 min

Recommended by

  • Richard E. GrantActor and writer
    I devoured in a single reading
  • Jon RonsonAuthor and journalist
    When you read it, you feel like you can topple giants
  • Lisa AppignanesiWriter, Guardian Books of the Year contributor
    An energetic, counterintuitive exploration of why (and how) underdogs succeed
  • Seth GodinAuthor and marketing writer

About the author

  • Malcolm GladwellBritish Canadian journalist and New Yorker staff writer
    • Born 3 September 1963 in Fareham, Hampshire, England
    • History degree from Trinity College, University of Toronto, 1984
    • Covered business and science for The Washington Post 1987 to 1996
    • Member of the Order of Canada, 2011

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