Humphrey, Sandra McLeod. They Stood ALONE!: 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2011

From Christopher Columbus to Margaret Meade, from Cady Stanton to Jackie Robinson, They Stood Alone! By Sandra McLeod Humphrey shares, in a few pages each, the stories of twenty-five men and women. People from the past, and people from the present who chose a path that forced them to move out, away from the crowd. Men and women who chose to stand alone against the beliefs and expectations of their culture or times. They all became people who changed their world and ours.

Each chapter begins “Imagine this… Your name is…” following is the story of one of twenty-five real-life heroes and heroines any of which anyone would be glad to have their child trust as a strong role model. Taken from the pages of science, sociology, sports, and adventure, these stories will provide insight to children, teachers, and parents.

The last chapter is an inspiration to today’s youth to discover and develop their passion, to have the courage to follow their hearts, to follow their dreams, to step out onto a path, away from the crowd, to stand alone and change their world.

Sandra McLeod Humphrey provides notes for each piece taking readers to broader pictures and a bibliography to expand the stories she has told, and stories yet to be told. Readers will need to get copies of this book that won the Mom’s Choice Award, for each child in their classrooms, for each child in their home, or for each grandchild they love. A retired clinical psychologist, Humphrey has written other books focused on moral education for children including Hot Issues, Cool Choices, If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do? and Dare to Dream!

The author provided a paperback copy for my unbiased opinion. ( )

While this book is marketed toward young adults, I feel it's ideal for readers from 8 to 100. We're treated to the condensed stories of 25 people who challenged themselves and society in order to follow their dreams and make a difference in our world. The vignettes perfectly capture each person's life, giving us enough information to understand their experiences without overwhelming - or boring - us with facts. I found this a fascinating, educational, and inspirational read. ( )

I won an autographed copy from Library Thing and I loved this book. It was about 25 of the most influential people of the world. A small book, but packed with a lot of information. There was a lot of information that I did not know and I learned a lot from this book. ( )

I found this book to be simple and easy to use. It tells about 25 men, and women who made a difference.
I needed to read this. So many facts and information I had forgotten and some people just know the names and others nothing. I was especially bad about the women.
Harriet Tubman all I knew was a slave escaped. I had no idea that she went back to rescue other slaves 19 times and led over 300 slaves to freedom.
Clara Barton I just new she was a nurse. She fought for the right to go to the battlefields and treat soldiers their and saved many lifes. She started American Red Cross. Taught school and helped women to get voting rites.
I enjoyed reading these short biographies about what these 25 people did when everyone said they were wrong they continued on and made life for me a lot better.
I was given this book in exchange of honest review.
Published 2011 by Prometheus Books ISBN 978-1-61614-485-2 ( )