This volume offers a celebration of the Irish Americans of the 20th century, as chosen by the editors of Irish America Magazine. It profiles the personalities that have shaped and influenced American life and culture, and touched the lives of millions of Americans. Profiles appear under the headings: art/great builders, business, community/educators and explorers, labour leaders/law/medicine, nationalist/politics, song and dance, sport, stage and screen. Profiles of the leading lights of the Irish American community of the 20th century, as well as essays from modern leading writers including Jimmy Breslin, Thomas Fleming, William Kennedy, Joseph McBride, Peter Quinn, Pete Hamill, and Frank McCourt.