David and Goliath, written by Malcolm Gladwell, challenges the way that the reader perceives obstacles and setbacks in life, including disabilities, loss of a parent and general disadvantages. Gladwell begins the novel by telling the famed biblical story of David and Goliath. From there, he connects the book to multiple events and glorifies the underdog. He shows how difficult events can lead to great success if the person facing these struggles uses it to their advantage.
If you are pondering whether to read this book or not, this is what Kent Anderson, CEO and Publisher of STRAITUS/JBJS Inc., wrote in his book review: "There are two general dispositions I could see benefiting from this book. First, there are those people who naturally and habitually push against the status quo. For them, the book will likely be affirming and energizing, and may clarify that while their driven personality can cause friction, that friction is necessary and their ability to withstand it is a sign of the innovator or change agent. Second, there are people who have to deal with innovators but don't quit understand them, what drives them, and why they sometimes seem obnoxious. For them, this book may help reveal the inner workings of those stubborn, driven, and sometimes troublesome individuals, and also create second thoughts about the cost of suppressing them contrasted against the benefits of supporting them." We would rate this book a 3 1/2 out of 5.
If you are pondering whether to read this book or not, this is what Kent Anderson, CEO and Publisher of STRAITUS/JBJS Inc., wrote in his book review: "There are two general dispositions I could see benefiting from this book. First, there are those people who naturally and habitually push against the status quo. For them, the book will likely be affirming and energizing, and may clarify that while their driven personality can cause friction, that friction is necessary and their ability to withstand it is a sign of the innovator or change agent. Second, there are people who have to deal with innovators but don't quit understand them, what drives them, and why they sometimes seem obnoxious. For them, this book may help reveal the inner workings of those stubborn, driven, and sometimes troublesome individuals, and also create second thoughts about the cost of suppressing them contrasted against the benefits of supporting them." We would rate this book a 3 1/2 out of 5.
“But make no mistake — the lesson of David and Goliath is not that the small upstart or the most unpleasant person wins. Rather, it is that those who have suffered hardships, who have gained a level of callousness, who have had significant skills fired in the kiln of adversity, and who are intolerant of the status quo — these are the people who most often prevail. We might not always like them, they may do things we think are inadvisable, but they are our giant-killers.”
-Kent Anderson