Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Heroes of Change by Philip Molebash is a truly inspirational look at a group of ordinary individuals who have managed to do extraordinary things in their lives and in the lives of those around them simply by showing up, never accepting defeat, and leading by example. These people are not sports stars, they are not famous actors or politicians, they are ordinary individuals who decided they would make a difference. A Jesuit priest who understood that the poorest people on the margins of our cities flocked to gangs for one important reason – a sense of belonging. He sets out to give them a place where they can experience what it truly is to belong, to be loved, and to be treated with dignity. A school bus driver understood that the children who rode his bus were not just noisy, clamoring little people but were individuals who often needed love, attention, and a sense of safety. His loving, caring nature was so spectacular that it was ultimately noticed by the media, and he received nationwide recognition for his simple and honest compassion. These heroes don’t wear capes, but they do bring a sense of calm, purpose, and endless patience to their respective communities.

Every so often, a book comes along that is perfect for its time. In a world so indelibly fractured and divisive as now, Heroes of Change is such a book. Philip Molebash uses these real-life examples of modern-day heroes to pinpoint what has happened to our society that has so fundamentally changed the way the majority of us view the world and our place in it. I thought it entirely appropriate that the author started with his own childhood hero, Fred Rogers, and his neighborhood. Having watched the movie, I understand how the author viewed him as a personal childhood hero. There is so much wisdom, knowledge, and insight in this short, inspirational book. The idea of our purpose and our calling being two distinct concepts was eye-opening for me, and certain bad decisions can be made when we confuse the two. Perhaps the thought that resonates with me the most is the concept of how we have lost our villages and instead joined our tribes. The author explains the effect of new technology, especially social media, on our community connectedness. Instead of bringing us together, technology, algorithms, and the anonymity of the internet have driven us into tribes that feed our prejudices and predilections. This is an extremely powerful work, and I will be thinking on it for many days to come. All the heroes profiled in this work had one trait in common – they showed up! This book will challenge you. I highly recommend it, especially to anyone concerned about personal, community, and societal direction.