The Small and the Mighty

Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From America’s favorite government teacher, a “fascinating and fun” (Adam Grant) 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.

This is a book about what really made America – and Americans – great. McMahon’s cast of improbable champions will become familiar friends, lighting the path we journey in our quest to make the world more just, peaceful, good, and free.

The Small and the Mighty - a huge contribution to our history

This book was everything I hoped it would be and more! The author does an amazing job introducing characters who weren’t necessarily the big stars in our history classes and showcases them to show how moving forward with courage, even the small thing, can change the future for all. I’m a governerd and proud to be in this group, led by Sharon.

America’s Govt’ teacher makes learning fun!

I think every student of American history would appreciate this book. Sharon brought so many people to life and showed us what a difference the “small and mighty” can make. I especially loved the stories of the women as well as the ones who once they knew better did better. Thank you, Sharon, for giving us the gift of this book.

Amazing book

This book is such a great listen . I love all of the stories and you learn so much more about history and all of the great accomplishments .

Loooooved it

I loved learning more about some of these stories that I already knew and then I loved about people I had never heard of. Thank you so much for educating me on some of history!

Hope

In today’s political climate I often feel discouraged. The Small and the Mighty left me feeling hopeful for the future and normal citizens doing the next right thing. I learned so much from this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.