Not-So-Normal People: Great American Stories Preserved

They became historic figures: four-star generals, political leaders, billionaires, civil rights leaders, rock stars, leaders of national service, business icons, philanthropists, and prisoners of war. In a year when our nation is celebrating its 250th birthday, this carefully crafted mosaic of sometimes raw but resonant true stories recounting the military, political, social, cultural, and religious history of our nation reflects on the past that brought us here.

Cole's subjects are both av...