In a set of stories about 17 American heroes and heroines, this book analyzes the hero concept in the nation's history. This book unmasks and reveals some of the United States' most beloved historical figures, reflecting their strengths, values, and flaws as no conventional history textbook can. Each chapter provides a comprehensive and complex look at the heroes and heroines who helped to shape a national identity. This book also examines the history, mechanics, and proven benefits of storytelling, identifying the form as an effective strategy to teach about some of the nation's most famous men and women. Each story concludes with a set of discussion questions that allow both educators and students to probe transcending values that are still relevant for young Americans today.