Review: David and Goliath - Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

I’ve just finished my second Malcolm Gladwell book (my first was The Tipping Point) and I’ve become a fan. My next book by this profound author would most likely be Blink but that is another story for another time.

David and Goliath defies the obvious just as how David killed Goliath. For the uninitiated, the story of the titular characters go way back. You can read more about it here but the gist of it is about an apparently weak shepherd called David (compared to the warrior he was going to defeat) that won the fight with a gigantic Goliath. In the process he saved a civilisation. 

The book serves as a reminder that the obvious life we live is in fact, not what it seems. For example, without thinking, most of us would agree that the smaller a class, the better the learning for the children but is it? After reading this book, I’m more cautious about highly reputable academic institutions that market their small classes this way.

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The book is about how, in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, some individuals will rise above all and triumph.

It explores the world where the undesirable can be turned to an advantage and how a disadvantage becomes the inspiration to the winning formula. You won’t know what I’m talking about until you read the book.

Every chapter is filled with a real life example so that the reader can relate to it. David and Goliath contains more twists and surprises than even the best thrillers! It’s books like this that slowly converts me from a fiction fan to a non-fiction bookworm so if you’ve not read this, do yourself a favour and get a copy!

Review: How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do (Science for Gardeners)

Despite its namesake, How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do (Science for Gardeners) is more like a beginner’s guide to the botanic world. It starts off describing the microscopic details of plant cells and eventually goes all the way to the big trees. The book is easy to understand and doesn’t burden the reader with complex terms. However, I do occasionally wish there are some footnotes to explain some terms that are unique to this field.

Some fun facts from the book that you can look forward to: We all know plants appear differently during each season. They look especially beautiful during autumn and spring but the how’s and why’s they act this way were never more than an afterthought. This book will blow your mind away as it describes in reasonable details why plants act this way.

Besides that, the book clarifies and/or dispels certain myths and techniques that are nothing more than just marketing gimmicks. Some should even be avoided because they do more harm than good to the plants.

By the end of the book, you will consider plants as more than just mere vegetation. They will become your buddies and companions in this world! Well, I may exaggerate a bit there but really, you will look at plants differently by the time you finish reading this book. There is a list of recommended books for further reading in the last few pages. I would choose The Pruning Book one of these days and create my own bonsai friends!