The 50 inspirational Chicagoans profiled in this portfolio provide a powerful catalyst for jumpstarting or advancing one's own personal odyssey. These profiles, shared in the subjects' own voices, reveal rarely explored facets of each gifted Chicagoan, including Congressman Danny Davis; Bill Kurtis, broadcaster and documentarian; Ramsey Lewis, jazz legend; Captain James Lovell, Apollo 13 astronaut; Martin Marty, PhD, theologian and author; and Kerry Wood, former pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. The book explores these provocative questions: What manner of influences and early-life events forged the development of these individuals? Who challenged them to follow their passions, and how? Is it possible to identify the motivations that enliven these movers and shakers, these midnight-oil burners who manage to make their accomplishments look easy? (The answer is a resounding "yes.") These intimate profiles demonstrate how any one of us can leverage our life's lessons to achieve greater personal successes, find and refine our passions, and achieve our goals.