Marvin L. Benton with Valerie E. Benton

After barely escaping death, one firefighter struggles through significant injury and loss to hold onto his old identity while embracing a new life-purpose.

A request to serve at another station, a quick compliance, and a natural response to extinguish fires and preserve life - when firefighter Marvin Benton headed to work on the morning of April 5, 1993, there was no premonition that these routine events would alter his life forever.

Trapped by a ferocious house fire as his protective gear burns from his body, Marvin finds himself, first in excruciating pain, and then in a dimension of peace as the fire-engulfed building collapses around him. When fellow firefighters finally rescue Marvin, the real battle for his life, livelihood, and identity begins.

Unfallen Hero is the story of one man's remarkable faith and courage after the fire that destroyed' 33 percent of his body threatened to destroy his career, family, standing in his community, and his sanity. Marvin is an impassioned storyteller, and his collaborator and wife, Valerie Benton, is a gifted documentarian and writer. Together, they have composed an uplifting, sometimes funny, sometimes painful, always sobering memoir that will challenge readers to live life with the provocative boldness of an unfallen hero.

About the Author: Marvin Benton, the middle child of seven brothers and sisters, was born and raised in Strong, Arkansas, to Ollie and Mirdie Benton. Marvin's parents taught their children the value of rising above life's circumstances to reach their goals. Marvin's professional goal was to become a firefighter. He faced many obstacles as a firefighter, but the challenges never dampened his determination to serve his community as a talented member of the "red." Even when he faced life-threatening burns, Marvin's will to live inspired his family, friends, community, and people around the country who learned of his plight.

Having battled back from near-death to a full life, Marvin uses the lessons that he learned to identify and give a second chance to others whom society has forgotten. Marvin and Valerie live in Sherwood, Arkansas. Unfallen Hero is his first literary work.