The stories of "David and Goliath" and "The Basketball Underdog" are similar and different in many ways. These stories are both in the same book David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell's book is about losers, misfits, and the advantages of these people. Both of these stories have the overlying theme of an underdog's advantages. The stories "David and Goliath" and "The Basketball Underdog" have many similarities and differences between each other. “David and Goliath” is the biblical story of an underdog who overcomes the odds and wins. Long ago, the Israelites and the Philistines fought with each other. Instead of having a big war – all the Israelites against the Philistines – each side chose the strongest, biggest, best person to fight against each other. Once the candidate is chosen, the parties will fight each other to the death, to find out who is truly the best. The Philistines chose Goliath. Goliath was a tall, strong, muscular giant who spent his entire life fighting in battle. Goliath was expected to win. When the Israelites learned that the Philistines had chosen Goliath, they were very worried. They had no idea who to choose, until an ordinary man named David stepped forward to volunteer to fight Goliath in the battle. David was weak, thin and had no fighting experience. David and all the Israelites knew that if David tried to fight Goliath directly, he would surely lose. When the time for battle came, David took out a sling he had made and hurled a rock into Goliath's forehead before he could even get close to David. After that one blow, Goliath was dead; and the Israelites won. This story is very similar,...... middle of paper... a lot in common, but they are also very different. For example, "David and Goliath" is a biblical story that changed the world and was very important, but "The Basketball Underdog" is just a fun little 'Cinderella story' without much importance. These stories have a very different importance. Furthermore, “David and Goliath” is a story that has only one battle. David slingshots once and shoots Goliath, then it's all over. But "The Basketball Underdog" is a constant struggle, from the first practice to the national championships. All in all, "David and Goliath" and "The Basketball Underdog" have many things in common, and also many differences. These are both inspiring and entertaining stories and I would recommend them to everyone. Works Cited http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/11/090511fa_fact_gladwell