The Apple and The Stone

12 Proven Success Strategies Used by Steve Jobs and Goliath-Killer David

Non-Fiction - Self Help
232 Pages
Reviewed on 10/01/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Apple and the Stone by Dr. Hartford G. Dawson follows Steve Jobs’s career, from his departure from Apple in 1985, the founding of NeXT, investment in Pixar, and back to his return to Apple in 1997, during which he restored financial stability and introduced products that transformed the technology market. Dawson parallels Jobs’s strategies with the biblical story of David and Goliath, highlighting preparation, attention, and the use of specific tools, such as Jobs’s “Apple stones,” to achieve targeted outcomes. Dawson talks about persistence, analytical thinking, breaking conventional patterns, and managing self-doubt as ways to break down barriers. Dawson uses corporate examples, personal stories, and scripture to illustrate how deliberate action, foresight, and selective focus can produce meaningful results and measurable success across leadership, innovation, and individual accomplishment.

The Apple and the Stone by Dr. Hartford G. Dawson is a really interesting way of looking at the power of unconventional thinking, with metaphors that compare situations like David’s decision to cast aside Saul’s armor with Steve Jobs’s rejection of industry norms. Dawson uses this specific example to show preparation, foresight, and critical thinking leading to extraordinary outcomes. My favorite correlation is David’s selection of stones in a nod to Jobs’s selective refinement of products like the iPhone, showing how disciplined focus transforms both battles and markets. The writing is clear and accessible due to the conversational writing style, and the combination of real-world cases, such as Kodak’s decline and Apple’s rise, reinforces Dawson’s messaging. With practical applications that extend from personal decision-making to leadership, this book inspires readers to cultivate original ideas, take on obstacles directly, and pursue opportunities with confidence and determination. Very highly recommended.

Carol Thompson

The Apple and the Stone by Hartford G. Dawson explores success strategies inspired by two very different figures: Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, and David, the biblical giant-slayer. Dawson skillfully highlights similarities in how they overcame challenges and achieved greatness. The book is organized around twelve strategies, each providing practical insights for readers looking to face their own challenges and unlock their potential. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own lives, offering prompts and exercises at the end of each strategy. These sections invite readers to identify their personal "Goliaths" and develop plans to overcome them. Dawson’s emphasis on self-confidence, critical thinking, and the pursuit of passion provides a roadmap for personal and professional growth.

Hartford G. Dawson’s writing is inspiring, blending historical context with modern lessons. He shows how Jobs and David turned challenges into opportunities, stressing the importance of bold thinking, quick action, and firm belief in oneself. The story is enriched with anecdotes, biblical references, and business insights, creating a unique mix of motivation and practical advice. Dawson vividly describes Jobs’s journey from being fired by Apple to returning and transforming it into a global leader. Likewise, he recounts David’s fearless fight with Goliath, demonstrating the power of faith and perseverance. The Apple and the Stone is a compelling read for anyone looking to break through barriers and achieve their goals. Dawson’s blend of storytelling and strategy inspires readers to see obstacles as opportunities and take bold steps toward their dreams. This book offers valuable lessons on how to face challenges head-on and emerge victorious.

Pikasho Deka

Some individuals leave their mark in history by overcoming challenges against all odds. In The Apple and The Stone, author Hartford G. Dawson introduces 12 key strategies to help readers pursue personal and professional success in their everyday lives. Drawing inspiration from the life stories of Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs and the biblical legend of David, the book highlights the essential qualities that empowered these remarkable individuals to change the world around them. After being ousted from Apple, Steve Jobs went on to establish the immensely successful animation studio Pixar. He later revolutionized Apple and turned it into the global brand it is today. The young Israelite David silenced his doubters by defeating the giant Goliath to protect his people. These success stories reveal the secrets to turning setbacks into opportunities for success.

With The Apple and The Stone, you will learn to eliminate negative thoughts, defeat procrastination, transform the impossible into the possible, cultivate critical thinking skills, embrace bold innovation and a strategic mindset, build self-confidence through optimism, demonstrate confidence without compromise, and much more. If you're facing challenges in pursuit of your dreams, this book will help you set your priorities and follow your path without hesitation, fear, or self-doubt. Author Hartford G. Dawson's engaging storytelling sets this book apart from most other self-help guides. At first glance, the stories of Steve Jobs and David may seem unrelated. However, both were exemplary men who displayed similar personality traits that enabled them to vanquish their enemies and doubters and achieve their goals. This is undoubtedly one of the best motivational books I've read this year, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Stewart Brian

The Apple and The Stone by Hartford G. Dawson, PhD, is a well-written book that offers readers 12 profound strategies for living a successful, fulfilled, and impactful life. Hartford discusses these strategies, drawing references from the biblical story of David’s encounter with Goliath and from the life of Steve Jobs, the cofounder of Apple. Each chapter presents a different strategy, beginning with The Upside-Down Obstacle, where Hartford writes on the impact fear has on an individual’s ability to recognize and take advantage of the opportunities hidden in obstacles. The author further inspires readers to identify the enemies of their dreams, such as negative thoughts, procrastination, and credit card debt, and to fight them. Other strategies include the closed ear, the overturned stone, the disruptive plan, the truth value, and more.

When I began reading, I felt that I was about to experience something life-changing, and this book met my expectations. My mindset was transformed for the better. Hartford offered me tools to address personal issues I was struggling with, particularly procrastination. I loved the key takeaways at the end of each chapter; they allowed me to reflect on the various strategies discussed. I also commend the author for sharing his personal experiences and stories of other amazing people who overcame their obstacles to succeed. The writing is detailed, well-paced, easy to comprehend, and straightforward. I loved the depth of research invested in this book, and I found it inspiring and motivating. I recommend The Apple and The Stone by Hartford G. Dawson, PhD, to anyone seeking to overcome their obstacles and achieve their dreams.

Makeda Cummings

The Apple and the Stone is an inspirational guide by Hartford G. Dawson that conveys 12 essential strategies for finding the strength to tackle life's numerous hardships. In his book, the author draws parallels between Steve Jobs, who rescued his Apple company from near-collapse, and David from the Bible, who confronted Goliath the giant using his sheer determination. Jobs and David are depicted as individuals who faced their challenges head-on, instead of backing away from them. Similarly, Dawson's techniques reflect the same strength that Jobs and David demonstrated throughout their personal battles. Some of the strategies mentioned include viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth, choosing to confront and resolve your issues, persevering in the face of doubt, envisioning your success, seizing the right moment to act, taking actionable steps that guarantee success, and completing the task despite the obstacles encountered.

The Apple and the Stone is an informative self-help book that skillfully combines biblical insight with modern-day wisdom and business principles. By setting David’s battle with Goliath alongside Steve Jobs’s courageous journey of reviving his multinational tech company, the book makes the lessons accessible and authentic. Another crucial aspect of the book is the practicality of the strategies discussed. The author goes to great lengths to break down each strategy in a way that is easy to interpret and apply to your own life. I greatly admire the author's empathetic approach as he encourages readers to persevere through their setbacks. Hartford G. Dawson's compassionate and motivational prose has, without a doubt, played an integral part in helping me reassess how I confront my own personal challenges. I am sure that other readers will appreciate his calm and consistent guidance as well.