From everyday heroes to larger-than-life characters, small moments to historic events, the unforgettable stories in Reader's Digest come alive as never before in this keepsake book. Our editors have combed the archives for the narratives that thrill your senses, warm your heart, lift your spirits and leave you amazed or simply grateful for your connection with fellow humans, including:

*Pilot Down: The Rescue of Scott O'Grandy--An Air Force captain policing a NATO "No Fly Zone" is struck by a missile and must use his ejection seat and parachute down into enemy territory.

*The Pig That Changed My Life--The author agrees to take in what he's told is a mini pig. At first he hides the pig in his office, but his partner finds out and is upset. Nevertheless, they keep the pig and call it Esther. Esther grows up to be 650 pounds, sleeps with them along with 2 cats and 2 dogs, and wins the whole family over with her antics. The humans become vegan.

*To My Daughter on Acquiring Her First Car--This is a lovely letter written by a father to his daughter as he gets her a car. It is a fond but serious plea that she not take lightly the responsibility of working this machine, that her and many others' lives depend on her good judgement and care.