The Small and the Mighty

 The Small and the Mighty: twelve unsung Americans who changed the course of history, from the founding to the civil rights movement

By Sharon McMahon

Penguin Random House, 2024. 307 pages. Nonfiction

 From America's favorite government teacher, a heartfelt, inspiring portrait of twelve ordinary Americans whose courage formed the character of our country. In The Small and the Mighty, Sharon McMahon proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn't make it into the textbooks. Not the presidents, but the telephone operators. Not the aristocrats, but the schoolteachers. Through meticulous research, she discovers history's unsung characters and brings their rich, riveting stories to light for the first time. You'll meet a woman astride a white horse riding down Pennsylvania Ave, a young boy detained at a Japanese incarceration camp, a formerly enslaved woman on a mission to reunite with her daughter, a poet on a train, and a teacher who learns to work with her enemies. More than one thing is bombed, and multiple people surprisingly become rich. Some rich with money, and some wealthy with things that matter more.

Sharon McMahon’s The Small and the Mighty is a powerful and inspiring collection of stories that reminded me that even the most ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary things.

What stood out to me most in this book was McMahon’s ability to tackle serious topics with a light touch. She keeps the mood engaging with her humor without diminishing the weight of the subjects she addresses. Her writing style is both relatable and uplifting, making it easy for readers to connect with the stories and the individuals she highlights.

This book is an uplifting read for anyone looking for a dose of inspiration and a reminder that greatness can come from the most unexpected places.

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