Why do underdogs succeed so much more than we expect? How do the weak outsmart the strong? In David and Goliath Malcolm Gladwell, no.1 bestselling author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers and What the Dog Saw, takes us on a scintillating and surprising journey through the hidden dynamics that shape the balance of power between the small and the mighty. From the conflicts in Northern Ireland, through the tactics of civil rights leaders and the problem of privilege, Gladwell demonstrates how we misunderstand the true meaning of advantage and disadvantage. When does a traumatic childhood work in someone's favour? How can a disability leave someone better off? And do you really want your child to go to the best school he or she can get into? David and Goliath draws on the stories of remarkable underdogs, history, science, psychology and on Malcolm Gladwell's unparalleled ability to make the connections others miss. It's a brilliant, illuminating book that overturns conventional thinking about power and advantage. 'A global phenomenon... there is, it seems, no subject over which he cannot scatter some magic dust' Observer

Since the 2011 release of Goliath, Tom Gauld has solidified himself as one of the world’s most revered and critically-acclaimed cartoonists working today. From his weekly strips in the Guardian and New Scientist, to his lauded graphic novels You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack and Mooncop, Gauld’s fascination with the intersection between history, literary criticism, and pop culture has become the crux of his work. Now in paperback, with a new cover and smaller size, Goliath is a retelling of the classic myth, this time from Goliath's side of the Valley of Elah. Goliath of Gath isn't much of a fighter. He would pick admin work over patrolling in a heartbeat, to say nothing of his distaste for engaging in combat. Nonetheless, at the behest of the king, he finds himself issuing a twice-daily challenge to the Israelites: "Choose a man. Let him come to me that we may fight." Quiet moments in Goliath's life as an isolated soldier are accentuated by Gauld's trademark drawing style: minimalist scenery, geometric humans, and densely crosshatched detail. Simultaneously tragic and bleakly funny, Goliath displays a sensitive wit and a bold line--a traditional narrative reworked, remade, and revolutionized into a classic tale of Gauld’s very own.

"Stories have the potential to convey powerful messages but for too long, usually beginning at Sunday school, the stories of the Bible have been watered down to the point where they are pointless." The Author. The view by some that the Bible lacks relevance for today is often supported by the false notion that humanity has developed beyond the "primitiveness" of the Biblical characters. There is the tendency to see human nature as evolving above and beyond that of those living in the biblical age, with a concomitant faith in the advancement of humans to the point where we will live in an ideal world. The author of this book believes that human nature remains essentially the same and that we are much closer in outlook to the characters of biblical texts than some of us like to admit. The author sees a need, not only for Bible stories to be taught but, for the stories to be told in a way that is open and honest. Stories have the potential to convey powerful messages but for too long, usually beginning at Sunday school, the stories of the Bible have been watered down to the point where they are pointless. The stories in the Bible are the stories we face in our everyday life. Stories of passion and hate, war and violence, love and romance, lust and greed, selflessness and sacrifice. Stories about the fight for survival and the struggle for the meaning of life. In this story, the first in a series of biblical stories retold by the author, Biblical truth is conveyed while engaging the imagination of the reader. Using the pericope 1 Samuel 17, relevant information from other biblical texts, and his own unique style and creativity, the author re-presents the classic story of David and Goliath. While God is not taken out of the text neither is the role of the human participants. Due to the tell-all nature of the stories in this series parental supervision is strongly advised. The age recommended is 13 years and up, although discretion should be used by parents taking into consideration the maturity of their children. Please note as well that whereas the stories, as retold by the author, do not present direct answers to questions which may arise, the Bible stories were initially told to address questions of political, social, religious, and theological concerns. Since this imaginative retelling of the biblical stories tries to be true to the biblical text it should be of benefit to those who are seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible. The author craves your honest feedback. Please use the comments section below to share your thoughts so that others will be able to participate in the conversation and make informed decisions about the value and suitability of these books.

This is a Summary of the book "David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, And The Art of Battling Giants" by Malcolm Gladwell

From the bestselling author of Blink and The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers: The Story of Success overturns conventional wisdom about genius to show us what makes an ordinary person an extreme overachiever. Why do some people achieve so much more than others? Can they lie so far out of the ordinary? In this provocative and inspiring book, Malcolm Gladwell looks at everyone from rock stars to professional athletes, software billionaires to scientific geniuses, to show that the story of success is far more surprising, and far more fascinating, than we could ever have imagined. He reveals that it's as much about where we're from and what we do, as who we are - and that no one, not even a genius, ever makes it alone. Outliers will change the way you think about your own life story, and about what makes us all unique. 'Gladwell is not only a brilliant storyteller; he can see what those stories tell us, the lessons they contain' Guardian 'Malcolm Gladwell is a global phenomenon ... he has a genius for making everything he writes seem like an impossible adventure' Observer 'He is the best kind of writer - the kind who makes you feel like you're a genius, rather than he's a genius' The Times

Explore the epic battle between David and Goliath, one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, in "Divine Warriors: The Underdog Champion." Discover the unrelenting mockery that the Lord's armies had to face when they faced the enormous Philistine giant, Goliath. The battlefield was filled with the sound of mocking laughter as the armies of the Philistines mocked the armies of the Lord, testing their bravery and faith. David, the shepherd whose faith never wavered, appeared among the Israelites as an unexpected hero while making a food delivery for the soldiers. In addition to his fierce opponent Goliath, David had to deal with the contempt of his own brothers and allies when he entered the battlefield. The jeers grew louder, yet the shepherd never questioned if he could face the giant. "Divine Warriors: The Underdog Champion" explores the depths of David's character and the tenacity and unshakable faith that kept him moving forward. David's identity as a shepherd was crucial to his approach to the challenge, even in the face of mockery and skepticism. With courage, agility, and staunch focus that distinguished him on the battlefield, David drew from his experiences as a guardian of his father's sheep. The essence of David's transformation from an underappreciated shepherd to the victorious slayer of Goliath is captured in this book. It presents a striking picture of bravery in the face of ridicule, faith in the face of uncertainty, and the unwavering spirit of a shepherd who defied life's giants. Readers are encouraged to rediscover their own faith, bravery, and resiliency by following David's inspirational journey to triumph.

From the Master of Horror comes the first gripping book in the twelve book New York Times bestselling Saga of Darren Shan. Start the tale from the beginning in the book that inspired the feature film The Vampire's Assistant and petrified devoted fans worldwide. A young boy named Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the Cirque Du Freak, a wonderfully gothic freak show featuring weird, frightening half human/half animals who interact terrifyingly with the audience. In the midst of the excitement, true terror raises its head when Steve recognizes that one of the performers-- Mr. Crepsley-- is a vampire! Stever remains after the show finishes to confront the vampire-- but his motives are surprising! In the shadows of a crumbling theater, a horrified Darren eavesdrops on his friend and the vampire, and is witness to a monstrous, disturbing plea. As if by destiny, Darren is pulled to Mr. Crepsley and what follows is his horrifying descent into the dark and bloody world of vampires. This is the beginning of Darren's story.