Child:The Hero

The enduring myth that makes us human

What makes a hero? Who better to answer that question than Lee Child…

“It’s Lee Child. Why would you not read it?” - Karin Slaughter

“I don't know another author so skilled at making me turn the page.” - The Times

In his first work of nonfiction, the creator of the multimillion-selling Jack Reacher series explores the endurance of heroes from Achilles to Bond, showing us how this age-old myth is a fundamental part of what makes us human. He demonstrates how hero stories continue to shape our world, arguing that we need them now more than ever.

From the Stone Age to the Greek tragedies, from Shakespeare to Robin Hood, we have always had our heroes. The hero is at the center of formative myths in every culture and persists to this day in world-conquering books, films, and TV shows. But why do these characters continue to inspire us, and why are they so central to storytelling?

Scalpel-sharp on the roots of storytelling and enlightening on the history and science of myth, The Hero is essential reading for anyone trying to write or understand fiction. Child teaches us how these stories still shape our minds and behavior in an increasingly confusing modern world, and with his trademark concision and wit, demonstrates that however civilized we get, we’ll always need heroes.