The Hero Code is Admiral McRaven’s ringing tribute to the real, everyday heroes he’s met over the years, from battlefields to hospitals to college campuses, who are doing their part to save the world.

When Bill McRaven was a young boy growing up in Texas, he dreamed of being a superhero. He longed to put on a cape and use his superpowers to save the earth from destruction. But as he grew older and traveled the world, he found real heroes everywhere he went — and none of them had superpowers. None of them wore capes or cowls. But they all possessed qualities that gave them the power to help others, to make a difference, to save the world: courage, both physical and moral; humility; a willingness to sacrifice; and a deep sense of integrity.  The Hero Code is not a cypher, a puzzle or a secret message. It is a code of conduct; lessons in virtues that can become the foundations of our character as we build a life worthy of honor and respect.

The Hero Code outlines value’s that everyday heroes display such as courage, humility, compassion and humor. The book features stories from a wide range of heroes such as Senator John McCain to our brave armed forces and health care professionals. Highlighting heroic actions on every scale, Admiral McRaven provides timely advice and an optimistic message for how we can help each other during trying times.

Mark Harmon is an actor, producer, director, voice actor and former football quarterback. He is best known for playing the lead role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS. He also has appeared in a wide variety of roles since the early 1970s. Initially a college football player at UCLA, his role on St. Elsewhere led to his being named “Sexiest Man Alive” by People in 1986. After spending the majority of the 1990s as a character actor, he played Secret Service special agent Simon Donovan in The West Wing, receiving a 2002 Emmy Award nomination for his acting in a four-episode story arc.  Harmon’s character of NCIS special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs was introduced in a guest starring role in two episodes of JAG.  Since 2003, Harmon has starred in NCIS as the same character.