David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Title: David and Goliath
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Did I listen or read?: library book, large type
When did I finish?: Feb 20, 2014
When was the book published: 2913
Main Characters: non-fiction
What happens?
Goliath loses despite having more power, more weapons.  Bigger and richer and stronger isn't necessarily better. People succeed (disproportionately so) despite having obstacles like dsylexia.  Londoners got used to the London bombing, and the "far misses" were stronger from overcoming the fear. Going to the best university isn't right for everyone - a real strong argument against affirmative action.  Raising kids can be harder when you are rich (income greater than 75,000 dollars.)  The inverses U curve fits into many situations - the task can be harder when you add too many resources - three strikes doesn't work (right side of the curve.) Authority comes from the perception of legitimacy, not from strength.  Decreasing class sizes works in some ranges, but not in others (too small or too big.) The Impressionists succeeded by giving up on the Salon (the powerful source of legitimacy) and creating their own. The History of Impressionaism  by John Rewald (MOMA, 1973) or THe Judgement of Paris by Ross King (Walker Publishing, 2006)
How long was this? 332 pages regular
Did I like this? Top notch
Overall grade: A