The 100 Greatest Heroes:
Inspiring Profiles of One Hundred Men and Women Who Changed the World

The list below is from the book The 100 Greatest Heroes: Inspiring Profiles of One Hundred Men and Women Who Changed the World (Kensington Publishing Corp./Citadel Press: New York City, 2003), written by H. Paul Jeffers.

Text from inside book jacket:

In Greek and Roman mythology, the world hero was used to describe men whose courageous actions brought favor from the gods. Today, a hero can be just about anyone--from a steadfast politician working to secure world peace to an average man or woman who demonstrates remarkable bravery. H. Paul Jeffers has searched the annals of world history to identify the most influential heroes of all time--chronicling one hundred intriguing real-life tales that are sure to fascinate and inspire.

The 100 Greatest Heroes includes profiles--ranked in order of significance--of the world's most spirited warriors and explorers, politicians and entertainers, innovators and peacekeepers, police officers, doctors, and nurses. It brings to life exciting figures from history, including the father of our country, George Washington; Mahatma Gandhi, who promoted the use of nonviolent tactics to bring about peace; baseball player Bab Ruth; and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Included among the list are many of the extraordinary women who distinguished themselves through their astonishing achievements and bravery. Among them are suffragette Susan B. Anthony; the fearless warrior Joan of Arc; the first woman doctor, Elizabeth Blackwell; pioneering social worker, activist, and reformer Jane Addams; and aviator Amelia Earhart, whose daring exploits captured the world's attention before costing her her life.

But not all of the heroes profiles are those whose lives played out on the world stage. Some are everyday people who found their own way to make a difference, such as Harriet Tubman, a runaway slave who overcame enormous odds... Other exceptional people who made the list include Lech Walesa, an ordinary shipyard worker whose Solidarity Movement helped bring down the Iron Curtain; New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose leadership during the tragedy of September 11, 2001, brought him worldwide acclaim and admiration; and Raoul Wallenberg, whose heroics helped rescue Jews from the Holocaust.

Spanning from biblical to modern times, The 100 Greatest Heroes pays homage to the men and women whose life stories serve as an inspiration to the world.