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While most of us recognize the concept of heroism, an operational definition has remained elusive. The body of published literature on heroism likewise does not focus on the personal attributes that predispose an individual to heroic acts. In this study, a body of work not previously analyzed-citations of Medal of Honor awardees-was used to develop and rank dimensions of military heroism, following Flanagan's critical incident technique. These dimensions then compared definitions of heroism across conflicts. Essentially, three dimensions were derived and served as a basis for examining military heroism. As an initial effort, this study directs our thoughts to an operational definition of military heroism.

In the Introduction to Heroism and Gender in War Films, Karen A. Ritzenhoff and Jakub Kazecki offer an interesting insight into the editorial process in compiling the essays for this volume. 'In se...

Heroism and the construction of political community / Veronica Kitchen -- Medals and American heroic military masculinity after 9/11 / Jennifer G. Mathers -- Everyday heroics : motivating masculine protection in the private security industry / Kevin Partridge -- Rousseau, the general will, and heroism in drag : Waltz with Bashir as excessive Israeli heroism / Matthew Evans -- Excursions into marginality : digitalised memories of militarised masculinity in Rhodesian understandings of self / Ane M.Ø. Kirkegaard -- Unsung heroism? : showbusiness and social action in Britain's military wives choir(s) / Catherine Baker -- Bringing hyper-empowered individuals back into global affairs : the contested terrain between celebrity, hero and anti-hero status / Andrew F. Cooper -- Havel and Mandela : leadership and legitimacy at home and abroad / Barbara J. Falk -- Of the good ones : celebrity heroism and ending sexual violence in armed conflict / Megan Daigle

The rhetoric of heroism pervades politics. Political leaders invoke their own heroic credentials, soldiers are celebrated at sporting events, ordinary citizens become state symbols (or symbols of opposition), and high profile celebrities embody a glamorized, humanitarian heroism. Using analytical tools drawn from international relations, gender studies, war studies, history, and comparative politics, this book examines the cultural and political phenomenon of heroism and its relationship to the process of creating, sustaining and challenging political communities. Arguing that heroism is socially constructed and relational, the contributors demonstrate that heroes and heroic narratives always serve particular interests in the ways that they create and uphold certain images of states and other political communities. Studying the heroes that have been sanctioned by a community tells us important things about that community, including how it sees itself, its values and its pressing needs at a particular moment. Conversely, understanding those who are presented in opposition to heroes (victims, demonized opponents), or who become the heroes of resistance movements, can also tell us a great deal about the politics of a state or a regime. Heroes are at once the institutionalization of political power, and yet amorphous--one can go from being a hero to a villain in short order. This book will appeal to scholars and students working on topics related to international relations, gender, security and war studies, comparative politics, state building, and political communities.

The Bible has hard words for people who miss the time of God's vigitation. The fault is not God's, we are told, for he long ago warned us his spokesmen would appear in unlikely places and improbable disguise. The task of discernment is ours. History's record is one of missed visitations, from Jeremiah to Franz Jagerstatter, not to mention Jesus of Nazareth. Among those who take this business of discernment seriously the rumor is now about that God has done it again, this time in the form of a youthfully middle-aged Jesuit poet, priest, and prisoner. The less serious have picked up on the rumor, and excitement spreads. The way to Calvary is littered with books, magazine articles, T.V. specials, and a smashingly successful off-Broadway play (soon to be a major movie!), the offerings of a cheering crowd hungry for heroism.