Real Heroes #1

Franklin D. Roosevelt rises from a privileged childhood in Hyde Park to become a crusading young politician—a state senator who battles political bosses, an Assistant Secretary of the Navy who transforms the service during World War I, and a man of fierce independence who refuses to accept defeat even when struck by infantile paralysis in 1921. This 1941 biography traces how a determined idealist navigated law, marriage, and public service to emerge as a force in American politics, working tirelessly to build a stronger nation and prove that personal hardship cannot diminish one's will to lead.

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley abandons her job as a housemaid to rejoin her husband John in General Washington's army, only to find herself caught up in the crucial Battle of Monmouth when the Continental forces prepare to stop the British advance toward New York. As the battle looms, Molly proves she's more than just a camp follower—she's determined to do her part for the cause of independence.

James Brooke, a wounded English soldier, sails to Borneo with a bold vision of restoring order to the troubled island of Sarawak, where he allies with the local Raja against a tyrannical governor. Earning the Raja's trust and gratitude, Brooke becomes the first white ruler of Sarawak, though his rule is tested by enemies within and skeptics across the sea who question his methods and authority. Through trials at home and abroad—from pirates to conspiracies to accusations of murder—Brooke fights to prove his commitment to just governance and the welfare of his adopted kingdom.

Captain "Eddie" Rickenbacker rose from a tough Columbus childhood to become America's greatest air ace during World War I, downing 26 enemy planes as commander of the legendary 94th Squadron. This biographical account follows his fierce ambition through automobile racing and into aviation, tracing how the poor boy who walked four miles daily to his factory job became a decorated war hero and pioneering airline executive devoted to safety and progress.

Robert, Cavalier de La Salle embarks on a bold quest to find a western passage to China, beginning as a young man in New France who abandons his priestly studies to seek fortune in the unexplored wilderness. Driven by tales from Native peoples of a great river system flowing to the sea, La Salle launches multiple expeditions—building boats, securing royal patronage from King Louis XIV, and braving treacherous terrain with his loyal companion Henri Tonty at his side. His journey to navigate the Mississippi River and claim new territory for France tests his resolve against desertion, supply shortages, and the unforgiving North American landscape.

Jane Addams transforms from a young girl moved by poverty into a tireless social reformer who establishes Hull House, a groundbreaking settlement in Chicago's poor neighborhoods. From kindergartens and day nurseries to her relentless crusade for clean streets and the end of sweatshops, she becomes a beacon of hope for working families and a champion of women's rights and peace. Her story traces how one woman's vision grew into one of the world's most successful settlement houses—a legacy that inspired communities everywhere.

George Hicks, a radio announcer for NBC, has built an extraordinary career covering live events across the globe—from naval reviews and natural disasters to scientific expeditions and submarine rescues. This biographical story chronicles the dangerous and resourceful assignments that have defined his work since 1930, showcasing the courage and quick thinking required to bring real-world spectacles to listeners everywhere. From broadcasting during the Pennsylvania floods to witnessing a historic eclipse from the Pacific, Hicks proves that a truly exceptional "everyday hero" isn't born—he's built through dedication to his craft, no matter the peril.

Judge Theodore Rosen's determination to overcome impossible odds begins long before his heroic service in World War I—starting with his grit to earn a scholarship and work his way through Rutgers University. When he volunteers for a dangerous scouting mission in no-man's-land during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, Rosen's refusal to surrender leads him through a brutal ordeal against a German machine-gun nest that will test every ounce of his resolve. His story proves that true victory comes not just on the battlefield, but in the choices he makes afterward to rebuild his life and serve his community.