David
The Hebrew shepherd who fought the Philistine rival, Goliath. Too young and untrained for battle, David was merely around the Hebrew military camp to bring his older brothers some supplies. When he observed Goliath taunting God, he offered to fight him, even though everyone was sure it would be his death. David kills Goliath with his first shot, hitting him with a rock from his homemade slingshot. When David grew up, he was anointed the second King of Israel and was known as the Lord's favorite, a man after God's own heart.
David Boies
This man is a renowned lawyer. Perhaps his most famous case is Bush v. Gore, in which the Supreme Court decided the recount in the 2000 presidential election was unnecessary and that the election had been conducted honestly. Gladwell includes Boies in his book to illustrate success when the odds seem low. Boies overcame dyslexia to become a lawyer because he set his mind to a goal and refused to accept failure.
Brain Grazer
Another man whom Gladwell uses as an example of someone overcoming physical limitations is Brain Grazer. He also is dyslexic. Today he is a wealthy, famous film director. He produced films like A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13.
Emil J. Freireich
Out of the despair at losing a parent while still very young, Freireich devoted his life to medicine. He has become one of the world's leading oncologists, pioneering the field of cancer research. Gladwell uses his story to demonstrate how a the worst possible circumstances of a person's life can become that person's greatest resources if they're committed to success.
