The Hero's Way

Crisis can bring out the best in people. In times of trouble and uncertainty, when lesser mortals may feel hobbled by anxiety, a few extraordinary people always rise to the occasion. Whether they are public personalities or private citizens, these heroic individuals light the way for the rest of us. In The Hero's Way, Robert L. Dilenschneider explores the dimensions of heroism. He gives a spirited history of the topic from Hercules and the ancient Greeks (who literally worshipped their heroes) to September 11 and beyond. Through in-depth interviews with leaders from various fields such as education, business, and politics, the author profiles a series of heroes, both known and unknown, who embody our society's most cherished values. We learn about the personal champions of the principal of St. Charles Preparatory School, the Chairman of Classroom, Inc., the Chairman and CEO of the New York Stock Exchange, the editors of Forbes and the Boston Globe, and Senators Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Dole...and more. Their stories are both entertaining and inspirational, revealing the essential characteristics of heroism, which include selflessness, courage, vision, and the willingness to take action. In celebrating these qualities and the individuals who possess them, The Hero's Way is more than a book about some admirable people who illustrate an intellectual concept. It is a manual for moral leadership in our time.