About the Authors of A Hero in Every Heart

H. Jackson Brown, Jr. is a publishing phenomenon. With 16 million books in print over the past five years, he is best known for Life's Little Instruction Book, which spent two years on The New York Times Bestseller List, including 47 weeks at Number One. The first volume ever to occupy the Number One spot on that list in both paperback and hardcover formats simultaneously, Life's Little Instruction Book spawned several sequels which enjoyed similar worldwide acclaim and have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Browns books have captured the heart of America and have inspired thousands to write to him. "I receive hundreds of letters every week," he explains. "People open their hearts to me--I'm delighted that they almost see me as a member of their family." Indeed, millions have been touched by Brown's fatherly advice, originally compiled as a gift to his son who was going away to college. He believes that the success of his books may be attributed to people's real thirst for a positive and affirming message.

Brown's gift for giving inspiration and hope has reached new heights in his latest volume, A Hero In Every Heart, co-authored with Robyn Spizman. The two writers spent over a year interviewing Olympic and Paralympic Gold Medalists and other prominent figures, and then researched the writings and speeches of legendary leaders, authors and philosophers. "We wanted to find out not only what made them champions on the field or in their professions, but what made them champions at life," Brown says. The result is a collection of uplifting quotes about what it takes to be a hero--how people can find the courage to fulfill their true potential.

"Heroes personify the best of what we want to believe about ourselves and offer proof that our grandest goals are achievable," remarks Brown, who is driven by the desire to motivate people to meet life's challenges with courage and passion. "When I was working on this book, I kept thinking back to my high school basketball coach and the inspirational things he used to say to us at the start of each game and during half-time. I'm hoping that A Hero In Every Heart will be a good source for other coaches, teachers and parents, or anyone who is in a position to motivate young people. But the book can be self-instructive, too. Let readers open it to any page and they will get an instant pep talk for the hero in their hearts. It's like Gatorade for the spirit."

H. Jackson Brown, Jr. has written a total of fifteen books which, in addition to the Life's Little Instruction Book series, include Live and Learn and Pass It On, P.S. I Love You and A Father's Book of Wisdom. He has also been interviewed by talk shows and news programs all over the country, including the Today Show, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight, and he has appeared on networks including The Nashville Network and CNN. Moreover, he has been featured in leading publications as diverse as Reader's Digest, Guideposts, Good Housekeeping, McCall's, The New York Times, People, Entertainment Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Saturday Evening Post. A composer, writer and artist, Brown is owner and founder of END, Inc., a creative concept group in Nashville, Tennessee, where he resides with his wife, Rosemary.

Robyn Spizman is a woman of many accomplishments. An author, television celebrity and parenting expert, her enormous energy and ideas make her the natural co-author of A Hero In Every Heart. Written with H. Jackson Brown, Jr., author of the Number One New York Times Bestseller Life's Little Instruction Book, A Hero In Every Heart is a compilation of interviews, anecdotes and quotes from hundreds of renowned athletes, writers and thinkers about heroism and courage. "It's not just about athletes and achievement on the sports field," Spizman explains, "but about being courageous in your every day life, about being the best you can be in whatever you choose to do."

Among the many people Ms. Spizman interviewed for the book are Olympic gold medalists Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, Peter Vidmar and Pablo Morales. "It was fascinating to hear what keeps them going, what motivates them to succeed, even when the going gets tough," she remarks.

A motivational expert herself, Robyn Spizman is also a dynamic speaker who has lectured to thousands about balancing family and work life, getting organized and accessing untapped abilities. Known nationwide as a leading parenting expert, she has a special interest in creatively motivating children. "It's important that we pay attention to inspiring our children to do their very best, and not to shy away from challenges," she says.

Spizman herself has achieved volumes. She is the author of over sixty parenting, educational and how-to books, including The Thank You Book, and, with Drs. Stephen and Marianne Garber, Good Behavior, Monsters Under the Bed and Other Childhood Fears and Beyond Ritalin. In addition, she has been quoted in Reader's Digest, Parents' Magazine, Child Magazine, USA Today, Sky Magazine and Ladies 'Home Journal, and has written articles for national publications.

Her extensive media experience communicating educational topics to the public also includes acting as a consumer expert on Atlanta's NBC-TV affiliate, WXIA-TV, for the past fourteen years. With over 1000 appearances on WXIA-TVs Noonday, a leading talk show in the Southeast, her segments have prompted unprecedented viewer response.

She has also appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows throughout the nation, including CNN's Travel Show, CNN's Parenting Today, The Discovery Channel, CNBC, The Michael Jackson Show, San Diego Sunrise, New York 1 News, Home Matters and A.M. L.A.

In addition, Spizman has served on the advisory board of NBC's "For Kids Sake", the National Nintendo Advisory Board, the Georgia Council on Child Abuse and the Advisory Board of the Child Abuse Prevention Services. She is also co-owner of The Spizman Agency, a public relations company specializing in media relations and special events.

Robyn Spizman lives in Atlanta with her husband, Willy, and their two children, Justin and Ali.

Back to A Hero in Every Heart