Almost a decade ago, author and educator William J. Bennett and John T. E. Cribb published a 365-day almanac of our nation's history. Now, in this updated and expanded series compiled from The American Patriot's Almanac, Bennett and Cribb's masterful grasp of our history offers 150 more great Americans.

Our history is a heritage we Americans all share. It ties us together, like a common language or currency. Knowing that heritage helps us understand the central principles underlying American democracy and our responsibilities in passing them on to the next generation.

At a time when so many seem to be losing sight of our identity as a nation, it's more important than ever to remember our heritage, not only so we can know who we are today, but to set us on the right path for the future.

From the letters of Abigail Adams to the adventures of William Penn, 150 Great Americans sheds light on:

• Incredible stories
• Larger-than-life personalities
• Fun facts, discoveries, and new perspectives

In these easy-to-digest entries, historical Americans reemerge not as marble icons or names in a textbook, but as full-blooded, heroic pioneers whose far-reaching vision forged our nation, connecting you to this great nation's heritage.