The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. McMahon argues that “the best Americans are not always famous” (11) and that ordinary people often drive historical change. How does this perspective challenge or complement your understanding of US history? Do you see similarities between McMahon’s approach and other works that focus on overlooked historical figures, such as Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States?

2. The book reveals many “unsung heroes” who made significant contributions to US history despite facing tremendous obstacles. Which figure’s story resonated with you most strongly, and what about their journey made them particularly memorable?

3. McMahon presents US history as having “astonishing regularity” in its pendulum swing between progress and backlash. Did you find this framework convincing? How did the collection of individual stories support or complicate this view of American history?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Virginia Randolph approached her challenges by focusing on “the next needed thing” (46). How might this approach to overwhelming problems apply to challenges in your own life or community?

2. Many of the book’s heroes worked without seeking fame or recognition. Think about the people in your life who have made quiet but significant contributions. How do they compare to the historical figures McMahon profiles?

3. Clara Brown never gave up hope of finding her daughter, even after decades of separation, and many other books (such as Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning) describe how hope sustained people through seemingly impossible circumstances. What examples from your experience illustrate the power of hope?

4. McMahon describes how Julius Rosenwald and other philanthropists gave generously while avoiding the spotlight. How do you think about the relationship between giving, recognition, and social impact in your charitable efforts?

5. Daniel Inouye and Norman Mineta maintained their commitment to American ideals despite the discrimination they faced. Have you ever continued to support the values of a group or institution even when you felt it wasn’t fully living up to them?

6. The book presents many examples of people who needed to make difficult choices at pivotal moments. Have you ever felt called to act on your principles?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. McMahon discusses how the suffrage movement often excluded Black women in order to advance white women’s voting rights. How do you see similar compromises or exclusions playing out in contemporary social movements?

2. The book explores how Sears, Roebuck & Co. began “unintentionally undermining white supremacy” (170) by giving African American customers access to goods through mail-order shopping. What parallels do you see in how modern technology or business innovations might inadvertently advance social justice?

3. McMahon argues that it’s essential for US citizens to understand their complex history, even when parts of it are uncomfortable or troubling. How does this book contribute to current conversations about how US history should be taught and remembered?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Throughout the book, McMahon uses a casual, familiar tone, referring to historical figures by nicknames (like “Katie” for Katharine Lee Bates). How does this stylistic choice affect your connection to these historical figures and their stories?

2. The book often presents historical figures as “flawed and complicated” (11) rather than as perfect heroes. How does this approach to characterization influence your understanding of their accomplishments?

3. McMahon structures the book around individual stories that collectively demonstrate larger historical trends. How effectively does this narrative technique support her central argument about how “the small are truly the mighty” (279)?

4. Throughout the book, Katharine Lee Bates’s poem “America the Beautiful” is both a literal artifact of American history and a metaphor for American ideals. How does McMahon use the poem to frame her exploration of American identity?

5. How does McMahon’s characterization of US history as a pendulum swinging between progress and backlash serve as a controlling metaphor (a metaphor that shapes the structure and meaning of a work) in the book?

6. The book opens with the story of Gouverneur Morris, a forgotten founding father, and concludes with a call for readers to recognize their own potential to affect change. How does this framing device strengthen the book’s overall message?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to add another “unsung hero” to McMahon’s collection, who would you include, and why? What would their story contribute to the book’s themes?

2. Imagine that you could have a conversation with one of the figures profiled in the book. Who would you choose, what would you ask them, and what insights do you think they might offer about the current moment?

3. The book is filled with metaphors for how ordinary people shape history, such as the aurora borealis becoming invisible in the sunlight. What other metaphor would you use to describe the relationship between famous historical figures and the “small and mighty” who work alongside them?

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