pamela
I've started making exceptions in my dislike of audiobooks for non-fiction, and with David and Goliath I'm so glad I did. Gladwell has a talent for taking complicated concepts and making them relatable and accessible. Long story short, he has a knack for telling stories.
While the data presented can be described as anecdotal at best, where Gladwell succeeds is in getting the reader to think. Every case he gives made me consider the world and my place in it. I thought about my privilege, but also came to think deeply about the hardships in my life that might have made me who I am today. I'm fascinated to learn more and explore the ideas that Gladwell introduced, and that is the mark of a good book in my view.
Gladwell is a brilliant narrator. The way he tells the story is immersive and entertaining. I'm a big fan of his podcasts, so I already knew what to expect, but he read the book in a way that was so engaging that I listened to the whole eight hours basically in one go.
David and Goliath isn't rigorous science. It's a collection of case studies brought together to serve an overarching narrative theme. I don't think Gladwell has any pretensions at ultimate truth, but if you want to read or listen to something thought-provoking then this book serves that purpose and does it very, very well.