In 1895, two young men destined to make their mark on American life, Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge, discovered they shared a common interest in the remarkable way ordinary Americans demonstrated the real character of the young nation. They were convinced that the brilliance of American liberty could best be found in the lives of everyday people, rather than in accounts of the famous and powerful.

Somehow the two men found time to research and write the 26 amazing stories in Hero Tales. From great battles of the War for Independence to the intrepid explorations that opened up the western frontier, and from the struggles of the early pioneers to the tragedies of the Civil War, these stories capture in words the essence of the American spirit.

Without preaching or moralizing, these stories show the qualities of good character at work. Thus Hero Tales is one of those rare, timeless classics that belongs in every home, library, and classroom.