The remarkable stories of eight Americans who acted as heroes by "just doing their jobs" during national crises.

True American heroes need not have superhuman abilities nor do they need to act alone. Heroism in a democracy is different from the heroism of myths and legends, writes Gerald Pomper in this original contribution to the literature of U.S. politics. Through the remarkable stories of eight diverse Americans who acted as heroes by "just doing their jobs" during national crises, he offers a provocative definition of heroism and fresh reasons to respect U.S. institutions and the people who work within them. This new paperback edition includes photographs, an introductory chapter on American heroism after 9/11, a survey of the meanings of heroism in U.S. popular culture, and an original concluding theory of "ordinary" heroism. The chapters cover these institutions, crises, and individuals:

"Shows how an individual can make a difference, despite the size and scale of politics in an immense nation trying to keep a democracy." -Theodore J. Lowi, Cornell University "A fascinating examination of heroes and the nature of heroism in a democratic society." -