Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.63k reviews for:
David Y Goliat: Desvalidos, Inadaptados Y El Arte de Luchar Contra Gigantes / David and Goliath
Malcolm Gladwell
3.82 AVERAGE
1.63k reviews for:
David Y Goliat: Desvalidos, Inadaptados Y El Arte de Luchar Contra Gigantes / David and Goliath
Malcolm Gladwell
3.82 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Definitely not my favorite. Gladwell is a great writer and there were some interesting stories here. But I fundamentally disagree with the way he phrased his argument (disadvantages can be advantages). We can talk about the lessons one learns from having to face adversity, sure. And we can talk about how things that, at first, appear to be disadvantages aren't always so. But he takes it a step further in a way that doesn't resonate with me.
I take strong issue with the wording of the chapter about children losing a parent. Psychological studies show that one of the most damaging things that can happen to a person is losing a parent during childhood. Can some of those children learn valuable life lessons? Sure. But I think it's pretty tough to think that it's a "disadvantage that is actually an advantage."
I also did not like his chapter about education - about female scientists and black law students who are better off as big fish in a small pond rather than being at bigger schools where he says they're "less qualified." Gladwell doesn't even acknowledge the reality of stereotype threat, which is exactly the cause of struggles for students in those situations. Check out Claude Steele's work for a much better picture of that.
Gladwell is a great writer and writes about interesting topics. But he is a journalist, not a sociologist or psychologist. Important distinction in this case.
I take strong issue with the wording of the chapter about children losing a parent. Psychological studies show that one of the most damaging things that can happen to a person is losing a parent during childhood. Can some of those children learn valuable life lessons? Sure. But I think it's pretty tough to think that it's a "disadvantage that is actually an advantage."
I also did not like his chapter about education - about female scientists and black law students who are better off as big fish in a small pond rather than being at bigger schools where he says they're "less qualified." Gladwell doesn't even acknowledge the reality of stereotype threat, which is exactly the cause of struggles for students in those situations. Check out Claude Steele's work for a much better picture of that.
Gladwell is a great writer and writes about interesting topics. But he is a journalist, not a sociologist or psychologist. Important distinction in this case.
I like to listen to this author. there are many little snippets of take aways. you don't have to delve deep into it all, but tog can if you wish. interesting. his books make you day "hmmm." and think about things.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger???
Story of underdogs who grit their teeth and find strength in their weakness.
Dyslexia , children who lose a parent early, children of war.
Story of underdogs who grit their teeth and find strength in their weakness.
Dyslexia , children who lose a parent early, children of war.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Quite good. If you're a fan of Gladwell's work, you'll likely enjoy it. I'm not sure which of his books is the best to start with. In my case, I started with his podcast and then read [b:What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures|6516450|What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures|Malcolm Gladwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344263875l/6516450._SY75_.jpg|6708278]. I'm not sure which of his books I like best. I've read all but one now. They're all very much of a piece. Gladwell likes to juxtapose the common sense interpretation of an event with the actual effects and, often, the unintended consequences. He likes to take a simple principle and apply it to a wide range of cases. He gets some criticism for that, as it can be an oversimplification. But it's often enlightening, even as a thought experiment.
I guess I like his books because they give you a lot to think about, often from quite different historical epochs. Part One of David and Goliath uses several extended examples to discuss the role of underdogs and how they can succeed when they refuse to compete in the usual way and instead adopt unconventional strategies. Here the "big fish/small pond" effect, applied to success in college, is of note. Part two discusses, among other things, the Civil Rights Movement in the US, "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, dyslexia, California's "three-strikes" laws, an innovation in the treatment of cancer, the David and Goliath myth, the French Impressionists first exhibition, Br'er Rabbit as trixter hero, resistance in Vichy France, and probably a dozen other topics I've forgotten.
I enjoy the breadth of examples. It's good--and rare--to try to bring such disparate things together. I'll leave it to others to judge the success of such synthesis. In any case, it makes for enjoyable reading.
I guess I like his books because they give you a lot to think about, often from quite different historical epochs. Part One of David and Goliath uses several extended examples to discuss the role of underdogs and how they can succeed when they refuse to compete in the usual way and instead adopt unconventional strategies. Here the "big fish/small pond" effect, applied to success in college, is of note. Part two discusses, among other things, the Civil Rights Movement in the US, "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, dyslexia, California's "three-strikes" laws, an innovation in the treatment of cancer, the David and Goliath myth, the French Impressionists first exhibition, Br'er Rabbit as trixter hero, resistance in Vichy France, and probably a dozen other topics I've forgotten.
I enjoy the breadth of examples. It's good--and rare--to try to bring such disparate things together. I'll leave it to others to judge the success of such synthesis. In any case, it makes for enjoyable reading.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
These books filled with anecdotes seem to be incredibly common. I think they're interesting to see David and Goliath examples, I have a hard time seeing their link. It seems like many of these situations are outliers or need special circumstances to succeed. I understand that's the point but these stories just don't add up for me. I never got the point of the Irish/IRA story and how their underdog nature allowed them to be successful but maybe I misheard that part. Either way, the people being flaunted had clear flaws that made them special cases. The detail gone into doesn't do justice to each individual story. There wasn't enough to get into the severity and implications of the situations that I would've preferred.