A NOTE FROM ALAN KATZ

The way I see it, there are three types of heroes. There’s the fictional, cape-wearing, web-shooting kind. Very exciting, but also very not real.

There’s the real-life, military, nation-saving type. Worth saluting, to be sure.

And then there’s a giant list of heroic figures that are unknown to most people. Top achievers whose work hasn’t been properly celebrated. They’re people who’ve given us important inventions or technological developments we may have taken for granted. I’m absolutely fascinated by folks who have done so much but have generally lived without fanfare. That’s why I’m about to give these people the attention and praise they deserve.

Of course, I should also tell you this: when I find out about one of these Awesome Achievers, my mind forms a ton of questions. Questions such as…

How did they do what they did?

What would it be like to be them?

How would I have handled the challenges they faced?

Then, I come up with some answers.

I’ll tell you about many of these people on the following pages. And I’ll share some thoughts about their accomplishments and how they’ve changed my life.

Warning: some of my thoughts might get pretty outrageous. But, hopefully, you’ll find these people and their very real discoveries as fascinating as I do. And, hopefully, you’ll laugh along with me.

Enjoy… and thanks!

—ALAN