Martin presents profiles of eight Americans under the age of thirty-five who have taken the cultural dictum "save the world" and made personal meaning out of the impossible task often set upon the shoulders of today's young people. Following key moments of their lives and world-saving activities, the author shows that the journey is personal, that the people are not perfect or superhuman, and that every little bit counts, and not only does it count, but it can make a difference in their own lives as well as in the lives of others. This work asks readers to step back from the "save the world" rhetoric and that of the "American Dream" and instead focus on small, realistic, telling and potentially life-changing things that may not single-handedly change the world, but which might be a step in the right direction. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)