Author Alister McReynolds presents a collection of life stories that serves to highlight that the Scotch-Irish contribution to life in America was, and is, more valuable and less of a cliche than the images of rascality, motor sports and corn liquor suggest. The stories of these pioneers, clergy, cavalry men, presidents, and inventors show how the achievements of these characters have pervaded American society to an extent that is often unnoticed and under-appreciated even amongst the Scotch-Irish communities themselves. Alister has lectured all over the States including at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. Nearer to home he was the presenter of this year’s Ulster Scots Agency sponsored Whitelaw Reid Lecture in Belfast.