Heroes: Inspirational People and the Amazing Jobs They Do

We are all familiar with the idea of the superhero, but, as the saying goes, not all heroes wear capes.

In this brilliant overview, we learn about some real-life heroes such as Nelson Mandela and athlete Simone Biles, but also social worker, civil rights activist and later US Senator Barbara Mikulski, founder of the NHS Aneurin Bevan, and Fields Medal winner Maryam Mirzakhani, who inspired many of her students before her untimely death in 2017. Or, in the law, human rights lawyer Vrinda Grover, who has fought for the protection of women who are subject to violence in India and across the world.

It’s not just individuals that are acknowledged, either: in the UK, the Bar Pro Bono Unit is a UK-based charity that provides free legal assistance to those who can’t afford it.

What’s great about this appealing, colourful book is that it acknowledges the often unsung heroes of our everyday lives who are going above and beyond to help others behind the scenes. It’s wonderful to see a “Great people” book that can also act as an aspirational guide for kids who might not have come across the law, medicine, social work or indeed architecture as a viable career.