Lesser Known Giants of the 20th Century

by: Charles M. Aulino

Published by: BookSurge

Reviewed by Diane Snyder

There are those people that will always be remembered endlessly for their various contributions and deeds. There are, however, many who were notable while they were living but have been essentially forgotten or over-shadowed with time, yet their lives or actions have played an important part in larger events during the twentieth century.

In his collection of biographical essays, the author, Charles M. Aulino, has chosen eleven persons of various backgrounds, talents and careers. It would seem a difficult choice to select only eleven but the selected biographies are engaging and often amazing to read.

Some of the persons included are:

— I. J. Paderewski, a renowned concert pianist and composer, was also a statesman who worked internationally for the welfare of his country, Poland, during both World Wars

— A. P. Giannini, formed the Bank of Italy in 1904 after realizing a banking need for the working class. This bank is now known as Bank of America.

— Moe Berg’s life reads like something out of an espionage novel. After receiving a degree in languages from Princeton in 1923, he signed up to play with the New York Dodgers and later for the White Sox while studying law. By the 1940’s he was working undercover for the OSS and later did consulting work for the CIA.

— Paul Winchell was a well-known ventriloquist on radio and TV and did voice-over for Tigger in the “Winnie the Pooh” movies. What most do not know is he held the first patent for an artificial heart.

— Katherine Graham, as publisher of the Washington Post during the Watergate scandal, continued to print breaking stories as they occurred despite pressure and intimidations from the White House to stop. This chapter is well-worth reading for the synopsis of the events and the people involved in the Watergate scandal.

All the life sketches are absorbing to read, and Mr. Aulino includes a great deal of both the sociological and historical backgrounds of the time. He has also listed a bibliography of his resources for further reading.
Lesser Known Giants has been endorsed by the National History Club, Inc.

Armchair Interviews says: Interesting look at “lesser-known giants” who have made our history.

Author’s Web site: http://www.CharlesAulino.com