In Malcolm Gladwell’s nonfiction novel David and Goliath, Gladwell twists the stories of so called “underdogs” in an attempt to convince the reader that through manipulation and discernment one can change their trials to triumphs; and although this in and of itself is not false, Gladwell cherry picks specific instances while ignoring any situation contradictory. In reading David and Goliath, one must discern the difference between truth and exaggeration keeping in mind that not every disadvantage is an advantage and not every difficulty is “desirable.” The biblical story of David and Goliath is often told where David is the disadvantaged and Goliath is the advantaged; however, Gladwell points out that this may be a skewed telling of the story.
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Boies told Gladwell that in a trial “judges and jurors… [don’t] have the time or the ability to become an expert in a subject” and continues to say that his greatest strength “is presenting a case they can understand.” Gladwell convinces the reader that if Boies had not had dyslexia, he would have never been able to become the successful lawyer that he is today because he would have gotten bogged down in details. Gladwell takes a person that became successful and just happened to have dyslexia, and then seemingly argues that dyslexia is a desirable disability. While dyslexia can be beneficial in certain aspects, one has to keep a skeptic's mind realizing that Gladwell has presented two very specific stories; and while he never says anything incorrect, it is important to remember that these stories represent minorities. The fact is that difficulties are difficult. As elementary as that sounds, Gladwell tries to twist difficulties into some great, captivating story that slides in between fantasy and reality. The problem does not lie with Gladwell saying that difficulties can be desirable. In fact, it is biblically sound to say that through trials and tribulations, one can find strength; instead, the problem lies with the assumptions made later on (The Holy Bible). Yes, disabilities can be
Boies told Gladwell that in a trial “judges and jurors… [don’t] have the time or the ability to become an expert in a subject” and continues to say that his greatest strength “is presenting a case they can understand.” Gladwell convinces the reader that if Boies had not had dyslexia, he would have never been able to become the successful lawyer that he is today because he would have gotten bogged down in details. Gladwell takes a person that became successful and just happened to have dyslexia, and then seemingly argues that dyslexia is a desirable disability. While dyslexia can be beneficial in certain aspects, one has to keep a skeptic's mind realizing that Gladwell has presented two very specific stories; and while he never says anything incorrect, it is important to remember that these stories represent minorities. The fact is that difficulties are difficult. As elementary as that sounds, Gladwell tries to twist difficulties into some great, captivating story that slides in between fantasy and reality. The problem does not lie with Gladwell saying that difficulties can be desirable. In fact, it is biblically sound to say that through trials and tribulations, one can find strength; instead, the problem lies with the assumptions made later on (The Holy Bible). Yes, disabilities can be