On Ordinary Heroes and American Democracy (On Politics) - Softcover

Pomper, Gerald M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594513910 ISBN 13: 9781594513916

Publisher: Routledge, 2007

Synopsis

True American heroes need not have superhuman abilities nor do they need to act alone. Heroism in a democracy is different from the heroism of myths and legends, writes Gerald Pomper in this original contribution to the literature of U.S. politics. Through the remarkable stories of eight diverse Americans who acted as heroes by "just doing their jobs" during national crises, he offers a provocative definition of heroism and fresh reasons to respect U.S. institutions and the people who work within them. This new paperback edition includes photographs, an introductory chapter on American heroism after 9/11, a survey of the meanings of heroism in U.S. popular culture, and an original concluding theory of "ordinary" heroism.

About this title

About the Author:

Gerald M. Pomper is Board of Governors Professor of Political Science (Emeritus) at Rutgers University. He is the author or editor of twenty books and many articles on U.S. politics.

Review:

“Shows how an individual can make a difference, despite the size and scale of politics in an immense nation trying to keep a democracy.”
―Theodore J. Lowi, Cornell University

“A fascinating examination of heroes and the nature of heroism in a democratic society.”
―
“Pomper’s inspiring book provokes us to think about how American democracy and American political institutions foster the heroism of ordinary people.”
―Bruce Miroff, State University of New York, Albany

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1594513910
• ISBN 13: 9781594513916
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 328