book review: ‘David & Goliath’ by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell is one of my favourite authors. Our writing styles are completely different. I write from the heart. He writes from meticulously researched, analysed and summarised perspectives. The detail is crucial when understanding his writing.

Nonetheless, his writing remains a fave for me. Perhaps because it satisfies the over-thinker in me. The amount of detail he provides when presenting an argument or perspective makes my analytical mind look like a dog deciding which end of the bone to chew on. Dog’s play. Not even child’s play. 

‘David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants’ is biblically based in more ways than one. The most evident reference is the biblical reference where David, a young shepherd boy, defeats the Philistine giant, Goliath in a tale that seemed impossible. Malcolm has an uncanny ability of making so much more out of what seems obvious. In this case, he unravels a disability, an ego and experience that all go into making the story of David and Goliath what it was.

“Giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness.”

malcolm gladwell, david and goliath: underdogs, misfits and the art of battling giants

Other religious references include The Troubles, the historic tension and fighting of Catholic and Protestant believers which led to a Northern Ireland Conflict that lasted from 1968 to 1998. 30 years of unrest overseen by the British whose overseeing led to even more destruction than there needed to be. 

The story of a village in south-central France, Les Chambon-sur-Lignon, is one of audacity and courage unmatched in the face of Nazi Germany. The Huguenots of that village saved lives through their defiance and once again, made a Goliath look meagre.

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I loved this book because it provides an alternative perspective to common ideologies that many of us take as a given. Are smaller class sizes really beneficial for students and teachers? Is an ivy league education the best for those who are incredibly intelligent? Does dyslexia have any benefits?

Malcolm successfully weaves biblical principles with historical and modern events, showcasing why these biblical stories have more to say to us all – not those just sitting on the pews at church on Saturday and Sunday. He successfully conducts the necessary research – there’s a lot of it – to back his findings and offer an alternative viewpoint.

Why Should You Read Malcolm Gladwell’s David & Goliath

• Challenge your understanding of the biblical story of David and Goliath – Malcolm provides an intriguing dissection of this tale that is commonplace in churches across the globe. He uses history, biology and logic to unpack this story that makes it even more meaningful and impactful.
• Gain further insights into the concept of a ‘big fish in a small pond’ – through stories of the principal Impressionist artists and ivy league education. What if the big pond isn’t the best pond to be a fish? What if more value and impact is gained in the smaller pond?
• Understand that certain handicaps can actually be an advantage for success – using dyslexia and the story of several successful business men and doctors, Malcolm highlights how their handicap in reading gave them the resilience and tools to persist in life without a fear of judgement. 
• Empathy and human connection can create greater positive political impact than force and fear ever will – using the story of loss and heartbreak, Malcolm juxtaposes two responses to showcase how “an eye for an eye” may not always be the best way to evoke change.
• If you want to understand why the Impressionists like Renoir and Monet became global phenomena – how exactly did they begin a movement that shaped modern art and transformed the world?
• Gain a deeper perspective on the underdog story and how you can apply it to your life – how can you take lessons from David & Goliath and apply them in your own life to realise that being an underdog might just be the best recipe to winning.

What Makes David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell Questionable 

• It is overridden – in true Gladwell style – by facts and figures – It can be an exhaustive read that, if not careful, you can miss the point. He has an exquisite way, however, of making sense of the facts and driving his point across.
• Facts and figures can always be presented in a way suitable to the desired outcome of the author – even though Malcolm makes concerted efforts to reference the work and discoveries of others. You’d need to do a whole deep dive into his research to contest it.
• It is not a quick read for some of us non-academics – this is definitely not an easy, beach-side with cocktails read, but it is worth it nonetheless.

As a fan of Malcolm Gladwell’s work, I encourage you – if you have the time and resources – to give it a try. It is well worth it.