His experience of surviving adversity across the remote world is second to none.
As a critic he was second to none in his own time, and even yet one can admire the delicacy and the skill with which he handles his subject.
In the nature and extent of his studies, in the solidity of his work, and in the philosophic spirit which animated his life he ranks as the foremost historian of the United States, and as an American historian second to none of his European contemporaries in the same line.
He may have only one championship, but three runners-up spots, and a cup record that is simply second to none.
She was the queen of fashion in a society where corruption blossomed luxuriantly and exquisitely, and in a century of wit hers was second to none.