In the middle 1980's, Parade magazine ran a contest where people were to send in their favorite photos and the editors would select and publish the best 100. They received over 130,000 entries, so they had a significant talent pool. This book features the 100 selected photos. Not all are of professional quality, yet all are excellent. In most cases, they show typical American people in an activity that is to them a normal part of their day.

However, because the Americans are a diverse people in racial, economic and work backgrounds, the variety is enormous. This book is truly a "snapshot" of the American people, the photos capture them at work, play and sometimes just sitting around. The power of the United States is that despite the tremendous diversity, there is a common striving to achieve the common good. You can see that in these photos.