The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement

Sharon McMahon is a writer, educator, and influencer who is known for demystifying the intricacies of politics, government, and history for her audience. McMahon began her career as a government, history, and law teacher before turning to Instagram, where she amassed a following of more than a million. On her social media and in her newsletter called “The Preamble,” McMahon breaks down current events for her readers, offering context and commentary to give her followers a deeper understanding of important issues. McMahon also hosts a podcast called “Here’s Where It Gets Interesting,” in which she speaks with guests and deep dives into interesting historical stories. Finally, McMahon facilitates an online group for so-called “Governerds,” which includes book clubs, workshops, and private question-and-answer sessions.

The Small and the Mighty is McMahon’s first book and is largely a reflection of her interest in uncovering compelling, overlooked figures and stories from history. In the book’s Introduction, McMahon explains that from the moment she began studying history, she was most interested in the names she “didn’t recognize.” She wanted to find out who these people were and what their lives were like. When she learned their stories, she delighted in sharing that information with students in her classrooms. Through her years in education, McMahon has “learned to anticipate what people will say and wonder about” (10), and The Small and the Mighty is her response to these queries.