This is an enthralling narrative that profiles five historical figures: polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, President Abraham Lincoln, legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass, Nazi-resisting clergyman Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and environmental crusader Rachel Carson. Each faced a significant, at times, life-threatening crisis.  Koehn shares their compelling/inspiring stories and the powerful lessons to be gleaned from their examples of leadership, courage, and perseverance.  Most interestingly, Koehn shows how leaders are made from the inside out (reading, educating themselves, adapting, hungry to prepare in every way possible) and from the outside in (learning to respond in the best way during turbulent times).  A most excellent and enlightening read!