Nancy Ann Nahra

There were some interesting folks profiled in this book. A handful of the subjects were less covered in their respective essays than others in their own. For instance, the chapter about Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish battlefield genius who helped win decisive battles, spent more time elaborating on the immigrant make-up of the Continental Army. Some of the essays were heavy on modern "social justice" to retell the struggles of certain subjects.

A lesser known aspect of Thomas Jefferson was nicely discussed in this book, his scientific interests and cataloging interesting flora of the Northeast. I really enjoyed the tale of Louis Sockalexis, a baseball player who ruined his potential career for the Cleveland Spiders. Every Cleveland Indians baseball game I watch from now on, I will think of this son of a Indian Chief.… (more)