Sinking ships, devastating fires, horrendous car accidents, mountain climbing catastrophes, sword wielding terrorists and killer crocodiles are all situations recorded in this book; but what start out as disasters are redeemed by the bravery, quick thinking and sheer humanity of people who, only moments before, had no idea that they are about to be thrown into circumstances of overwhelming intensity.

These are stories from the archives of the Royal Humane Society, which has been rewarding bravery for 250 years. They provide an insight into the type of person who risks their lives, potentially sacrificing themselves to save others. Some are famous but most are ordinary people from young boys to older women going about their daily lives.

Dramatic and hair-raising, the tales are gripping in their own right but the fact that there is always a hero or heroine at their heart reinforces our faith in humankind and reminds us that there are plenty of ordinary people in the world capable of extraordinary and compassionate bravery.