Peter W. Cookson, Jr.

I was intrigued by the foreword by Bill Clinton, thinking this book must be truly worthwhile. It does give some nice news snippets of good deeds, but that's all they are--brief sound-bytes. Those of us who are trying to make the world a better place know that it is not easily done and can be dispiriting. It would have been nice to read how the inspirational heroes overcame problems, but, for example, in the first chapter, Jimmie Briggs has a fabulous life as a global reporter, working for magazines such as Life. And he got this job as a reporter without ever taking a journalism class, which is not the kind of luck that happens to most people. The stories seem too bland; they inspire for only a brief second.… (más)

Hearts on Fire is a short, read-at-one sitting book that celebrates the many various kinds of people that make up that village that is required to raise children, as mentioned by President Bill Clinton in reference to his wife, Hillary Clinton in the foreword to this intriguing book.
Why doesn't someone do something? Many someones are, every day one individual life at a time. This is an uplifting book. Read this little book, it will lift your heart and give you hope in not just tomorrow but the world we are leaving our grand children.… (más)

I was first put off by the book but as I continued to read I found myself learning and enjoying. Twelve stories of twelve people who have taken an idea and made it work. Most stories of working the the lower part of our society.
I would place this book in school libraries where students could see choices outside their own self as well as non-profits to give to volunteers to show how they can make a difference.
I sometimes wonder that these stories are about people with special human skills that we all don't have. Seeing difference made a big difference their lives. Recommended.… (más)