Secret Heroes is a remarkable compendium by Paul Martin, former Executive Editor of National Geographic Traveler, that illuminates the lives of thirty forgotten American heroes. Gathering together remarkable stories about unknown champions, explorers, inventors, and innovators who never made the pages of American history textbooks—not George Washington, but the tailor who saved his life…twice; the first African-American combat pilot; the 62-year-old female muckraking journalist who refused to turn her back on injustice—Secret Heroes is just the sort of fascinating and fun popular history that readers love, not unlike Kenneth C. Davis’s bestselling Don’t Know Much About® series and Rick Beyer’s The Greatest Stories Never Told.
Secret Heroes: Everyday Americans Who Shaped Our World
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Martin’s life-and-work portraits, with their subjects’ pluck and pioneering spirit, will surprise and, perhaps, inspire readers.” (Booklist )
“Self-sacrifice and determination abound in the tales....Meticulously researched, Martin holds his subjects in deserved high-esteem.” (Publishers Weekly )
“Reverent character sketches of some unusually self-reliant Americans....Inspirational yarns of exceptional folks who made a difference...surprisingly entertaining.” (Kirkus Reviews )
“Paul Martin creates a fascinating sub-text to American history: the literally un-sung hero who through imagination, daring, perseverance, and occasional great risk affects the shaping of democracy. This enthralling, episodic ramble’s perfect for anyone interested in how America managed to get from there to here.” (James Conaway, author of Napa: The Story of an American Eden )
“Look who Paul Martin found hiding in the cracks and crevices of American history--a colorful cast of forgotten characters definitely worth getting to know!...From the grocery store to the battlefield, forgotten heroes who left an indelible mark on American history. An enjoyable and eye-opening read.” (Rick Beyer, author of The Greatest Stories Never Told )
“Endlessly entertaining…Martin introduces us to a colorful cast of saints, visionaries and occasional rogues, and he does so with style and zest. Heroes, yes, but secret no more, these are (extra)ordinary men and women well worth our attention, in a book that makes history joyous.” (Thomas C. Foster, author of How to Read Literature Like a Professor )
“Self-sacrifice and determination abound in the tales....Meticulously researched, Martin holds his subjects in deserved high-esteem.” (Publishers Weekly )
“Reverent character sketches of some unusually self-reliant Americans....Inspirational yarns of exceptional folks who made a difference...surprisingly entertaining.” (Kirkus Reviews )
“Paul Martin creates a fascinating sub-text to American history: the literally un-sung hero who through imagination, daring, perseverance, and occasional great risk affects the shaping of democracy. This enthralling, episodic ramble’s perfect for anyone interested in how America managed to get from there to here.” (James Conaway, author of Napa: The Story of an American Eden )
“Look who Paul Martin found hiding in the cracks and crevices of American history--a colorful cast of forgotten characters definitely worth getting to know!...From the grocery store to the battlefield, forgotten heroes who left an indelible mark on American history. An enjoyable and eye-opening read.” (Rick Beyer, author of The Greatest Stories Never Told )
“Endlessly entertaining…Martin introduces us to a colorful cast of saints, visionaries and occasional rogues, and he does so with style and zest. Heroes, yes, but secret no more, these are (extra)ordinary men and women well worth our attention, in a book that makes history joyous.” (Thomas C. Foster, author of How to Read Literature Like a Professor )
From the Back Cover
Not all American heroes appear in the standard history texts. Their achievements aren't celebrated like the monumental exploits of presidents, generals, and founding fathers. But for as long as this great nation has existed, ordinary citizens have done extraordinary things. In Secret Heroes, author Paul Martin spotlights thirty overlooked Americans, all of whom had an impact on their world and ours, including:
Hercules Mulligan, the New York tailor and spy who saved George Washington's life . . . twice!
Jimmie Angel, the gold-seeking bush pilot who, in 1933, discovered the world's highest waterfall in Venezuela.
Carl Akeley, a pioneering taxidermist who killed a leopard with his bare hands and inspired Africa's first national park.
Eliza Scidmore, who convinced the government to plant cherry trees in Washington, D.C. . . . after twenty-four years of lobbying!
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More About the Author
Paul Martin spent three decades as a book and magazine editor with the National Geographic Society, the last 20 years as executive editor of National Geographic Traveler. His assignments have taken him around the world. Early in his career, he spent a year in Vietnam as a military journalist and was the assistant editor of Outdoors and managing editor of Continuing Education for the Family Physician magazines. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Martin lives in Northern Virginia. When not writing, he builds acoustic guitars.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Jimjoed
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Excellent book. Well written, easy to read and exceptionally interesting. Each chapter is about a different person that never achieved wide spread fame, but made significant contributions (often much more significant than more famous counterparts)to this country and to the world. Great for before bedtime reading because each chapter is like starting a new "mini" book. I highly recommend it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Irvinlee
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book should be in the library of every US school. It should be on the desk of every middle school teacher and should be required reading by our middle school students and by those applying for US citizenship.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bob
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am finding this book to be absolutely riveting. To read about these 'unsung heroes', at least until now, has been a real eye-opener. Even if you have a mediocre passing interest in history, this book will definitely get your juices flowing.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Perfect
In the tradition of Stephen Ambrose's favorite theme--that it is often the everyday person that rises above others to lead--Paul Martin has delivered. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lance E. Osborne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Histories forgotten heroes
I like to read stories of unusual people and these were people who did amazing things but forgotten by history. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Puyailee
2.0 out of 5 stars
not heros
These people (for the most part) were not even interesting and I wouldn't call them
"heros". Don't buy this book at a ten cent yard sale.
"heros". Don't buy this book at a ten cent yard sale.
Published 6 months ago by Aramark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historical review
Reading this you realize how shallow our history books are in school. Most of what's presented are political messages built around some facts. Read more
Published 7 months ago by jad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting, definitely not boring either
In general I like books like this, books that highlight little pieces of history that might otherwise go unnoticed. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Kathleen Haak
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great bookl that showcases some of our unsung heroes in American...
Some names in history are easily associated with the greatness of the acts they committed or simply by the person that they became. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Pirate2240
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