This unique, one-volume reference guide provides positive and empowering biographical sketches of 100 well-known adoptees throughout time, serving to counter the many negative stereotypes that exist about people who were adopted, fostered, or lived in orphanages. The work looks at the lives of people who, despite circumstances in their childhood, were able to succeed in making important contributions to art, music, science, literature, politics, and entrepreneurship. It answers the call to obtaining difficult- to-find information about well-known adoptees. McCaslin outlines the parameters she used for inclusion in the book, and then discusses the history of adoption from ancient civilization to today. Each entry focuses on the early life of the subject, as well as his or her career and achievements. Entries include: Aristotle; Edward Albee; Ingrid Bergman; Oksana Baiul; Ella Fitzgerald; Faith Hill; Marilyn Monroe; Dave Thomas; Orson Welles; and, many others.