“Everyday Americans have had a huge impact on our history – it isn’t always presidents and generals who set the course for the country.” Think of what would have happened if he hadn’t been a tailor in New York City. “Hercules Mulligan saved the life of the father of our country. “These characters were relatively unknown, but what they did has had ripples that continue to affect us,” Martin said. Some other characters Martin brings to life include Henry Beachell, whose invention of “miracle rice” fed and supported Asia, Cynthia Ann Parker’s steadfast endurance of 24 years of Native American captivity and Jonathan Letterman, whose medical organization on the battlefield revolutionized the treatment of wounded soldiers and saved countless lives during the Civil War. Martin has collected the stories of 30 Americans left out of the history textbooks in his new book, “Secret Heroes: Everyday Americans Who Shaped Our World.” The stories sneak up on him while he’s on other quests, such as the time Martin was trying to find the first American awarded a military medal and found Hercules Mulligan, a forgotten spy who saved George Washington’s life twice. For Paul Martin, fascinating history is a loud discovery in a quiet library.
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