Heroes for My Son [Hardcover]

Brad Meltzer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 11, 2010

Since the birth of his son in 2003, bestselling novelist Brad Meltzer (The Book of Fate, The Tenth Justice, The Book of Lies) has been collecting heroes from whom his son can learn how to live a good life. In Heroes for My Son, Meltzer shares, with parents everywhere, the stories of 52 such heroes—from Dr. Seuss and Mr. Rogers to Mother Theresa and Mohandas Gandhi.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Questions for Brad Meltzer on Heroes for My Son

Q: As an idea, where did Heroes for My Son come from?
A: It began the night my first son was born. I was stuck at a red light, and I remember looking up at the black sky and thinking of this baby boy we were just blessed with. That’s when I asked myself the question for the very first time: What kind of man did I want my son to be? I have three children now. I've long ago realized I have little say in the matter. But at that moment, I decided that I wanted to write a book over the course of my son's life--and then when I eventually gave it to him, he’d realize what a brilliant father I was. I'd assumed Norman Rockwell would of course be resurrected to paint the moment, because it would be that perfect.

But the book was just a list of silly platitudes--until a friend of mine told me this story about the Wright Brothers: Every day Orville and Wilbur Wright went out to fly their plane, they would bring enough materials for multiple crashes. That way, when they crashed, they could rebuild the plane and try again. Think about it a moment: every time they went out--every time--they knew they were going to fail. But that's what they did: Crash and rebuild. Crash and rebuild. And that's why they finally took off.

I loved that story. I still love that story. And that's the kind of story I wanted my son to hear: a story that wouldn't lecture to him, but would show him that if he was determined ... if he wasn't afraid to fail ... if he had persistence (and a side order of stubbornness), the impossible becomes possible.

Since that time, I've been collecting heroes for this book, which has been one of the most rewarding projects of my life.

Q: Who were some of your heroes growing up?
A: My Mom and my grandfather. After them, Jim Henson and Mr. Rogers always led the list. Sure, there are tons of others in the book--from Rosa Parks, to Gandhi, to Muhammad Ali--but Jim Henson and Mr. Rogers just always had the biggest impact on me. Maybe it was their kindness. Maybe it was Kermit and that idea of "making millions of people happy." Maybe it was just my obsession with idealistic puppets. But the idea of being the top of your game--at the cutting-edge of entertainment--and you can do anything, but instead, you give all of that to children's public television ... ? Yes. My heroes.

Q: Who were some of the people who didn't make the book?
A: Mussolini. And Hitler. No question, Hitler was at the top of the list of people we didn't want in the book. But as for people that were actually close to making it, it's hard. Especially when you're looking at people who are still alive. I mean, with one bad news day, even the biggest hero can suddenly become Tiger Woods (who I will say was never in the running for being in the book). And the last thing I want is to have someone like that in a book for my sons. Of course, there were other heroes like Winston Churchill, Susan B. Anthony, and Benjamin Franklin--some of whom we ran out of space for, and some who I saved for the book I'm doing for my daughter.

Q: What do you think is the overall message of the book?
A: There's a line I just wrote for my next novel. It says: History doesn't just pick people. History picks everyone. Every day. The only question is, do you pay attention ... do you put in the hard work ... do you hear that calling? Yes, I know that sounds all new age-y. And I'm not new age-y. I just believe in hard work and regular people. That's how every great historic change takes place.

Q: How was writing nonfiction different from fiction?
A: I have to say, it's far easier to make stuff up. But there's also nothing more inspiring than knowing the story really happened.

Q: The book uses a lot of photos, was there anything you found in the photographs of these heroes that influenced the book?
A: I was amazed when John Lennon's people said they didn't like the photo we picked (we didn't change it). And when we unearthed the Mr. Rogers photo, which hasn't been seen by the public in decades. I just love that shot.

Q: If you had to pick one quote from the book, what is your favorite quote?
A:There are two:

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."--Gandhi

and

"Not everyone is nice like that."--The receptionist in my Mom's doctor's office, when she heard my Mom had died from breast cancer. Always remember: The truth is what people say behind your back.

Q: What is going on with the Heroes for My Son blog and on Facebook? What are you doing there?
A: Finding more heroes. People send us new ones every day. I love sharing them with the world. If you have one, please send him or her along.

Q: Is there another book we can look forward to after Heroes for My Son?
A: I have a daughter. I've been working on hers since the day she was born (let it be known she asks every day, "Where’s my book?"). So Heroes for My Daughter is coming soon.

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From the Back Cover

When Brad Meltzer's first son was born eight years ago, the bestselling writer and new father started compiling a list of heroes whose virtues and talents he wanted to share with his son: Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Jim Henson, Amelia Earhart, Muhammad Ali . . . and so many more, each one an ordinary person who was able to achieve the extraordinary. The list grew to include the fifty-two amazing people now gathered in Heroes for My Son, a book that parents and their children—sons and daughters alike—can now enjoy together as they choose heroes of their own.

From the Wright Brothers, who brought extra building materials to every test flight, planning ahead for failure, to Miep Gies, who risked her life to protect Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis during World War II, Heroes for My Son brings well-known figures together with less famous ones, telling the inspiring, behind-the-scenes stories of the moment that made them great. They are a miraculous group with one thing in common: each is an example of the spectacular potential that can be found in all of us.

Heroes for My Son is an unforgettable book of timeless wisdom, one that families everywhere can share again and again.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harper; 1 edition (May 11, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061905283
• ISBN-13: 978-0061905285
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dangling carrots May 13, 2010

By B. Sweetser

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I actually wanted it sooner than I would be able to get it, so I bought the Kindle version and read it on my iPhone.

I have to admit that at first I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more detail about each of the heroes, but it wasn't the purpose of this book to give a biography on each of the people in the book: it is the highlight what makes that person a hero. That is what is so genius about it. How do you filter down what each of these people did into the essence of what makes that person a hero? Brad Meltzer does just that and puts it together in a way that makes this book difficult to put down. I was familiar with some of the heroes he had, and not as familiar with others, but as I read about each, I wanted to learn more about them, also. Now I just need to determine where to start. The carrots have been dangled. :)

This is a book I will share with family and my child as he grows.

Thanks, Brad!

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Snapshots of Humanity May 13, 2010

By Bradley J. Ricca

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Known for his best-selling mysteries, thrillers, and comic book writing, Meltzer brings to his latest book the same gifts of being able to see the 'big picture' of an elaborate plot with lots of colorful characters -- but this time to give his readers a series of snapshots of humanity -- some of them larger than life, some of them just our size -- to define just what makes an act, or even a thought, a heroic one. And how heroism doesn't necessarily require an interesting job or position of power or even a cape, but is more about what you stand for. Meltzer doesn't want his readers to idolize these people, but just to nod their heads and say "Wow." Not preachy or condescending (and always, always surprising) this book is not just a gift for dads or sons or daughters or moms, it's a good reminder of what we all are capable of.

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration for all kids May 13, 2010

By Michael Brown

Format:Hardcover

We sometimes say that there are no more heroes. Brad Meltzer throws that premise out the window and compiles a wonderful list of people and the qualities that make them a hero. Some are controversial and some are a given. Either way, this is a great book to give to a parent or to a child.

What a great way to say "Look at what is possible!". Kudos to Brad Meltzer!!

21 of 27 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit more middle of the road May 19, 2010

By T. Taylor

Format:Hardcover

Are all of the people in this book heroes? Not necessarily.

I can certainly see some of the controversy in some of the selections. If anything, this is a problem with the title of the book more than the content. Each of the people listed in this book have something to teach the reader about life. I don't necessarily think they are all heroes but I did enjoy the perspective on how the author viewed these people.

I use this book as a nightly reader for my boys (8 and 9). We read about a person each night (I either read or I tell them what I know, sometimes both) and we talk about the person and the character trait. It was amazing to have an opportunity to talk about Miep Gies and explain to them the very human story of the very blurry concept they had of the holocaust and what it had meant.

The book is suitable for that but it is not one that I would necessarily leave on their bookshelf since, as others have noted, not all "heroes" are heroes I would choose for my sons.

But, that's what parents are for.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars love this July 30, 2010

By mama Pancamo

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband bought this book to read to our 5 year old son. He had heard about it on the talk radio station and instantly came to amazon to order it. I have to say, I didnt think it was going to be something worth while. I was really impressed with it when we received it. It has great people in there for kids to look up to and even has pages in it for the kids and dad's to put their own heroes they have had in their lives. It is something great for fathers and sons to have and do together. It is creative and educational.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Welcome Change of Pace June 3, 2010

By Bookreporter

Format:Hardcover

HEROES FOR MY SON represents a change of pace for Brad Meltzer, an immediately recognizable name in the world of literary thrillers and sequential art books. The idea for this project arose at the time of his oldest son's birth. As he notes in the introduction, Meltzer initially intended to fill his book with advice and good ideas. But he ultimately began compiling a list of people who he felt possessed virtues and talents that he wanted to share with his son. Before he was finished, that list included the 52 individuals profiled here. The result is a slender, square-bound book that devotes two pages to each person mentioned.

While many of the individuals memorialized here are household names, there are several who will not be known to everyone and at least two who will be unfamiliar to (almost) anyone. And Meltzer has cast a wide enough net with his selections that there are a number of people chosen who may not be on everyone's list, to say the least. Meltzer is aware of this, and in fact encourages those who pick up the book to create their own list of heroes for their children. Indeed, he includes a place at the conclusion for readers to make an entry.

Still, there are many --- famous or otherwise --- whose place would seem to be ordained and approved by all. Of course, one will almost immediately recognize Harper Lee, Mark Twain, Rosa Parks, and George Washington, among a number of others. It is with the inclusion of less familiar figures, however, where the book really shines. One might not be immediately familiar with the name "Frank Shankwitz." He is not an actor or a politician, but rather the motorcycle police officer who was inspired to start the Make-A-Wish Foundation.... Miep Gies is not a household name, for sure, but if not for him, the world might never have known of Anne Frank. And while Andy Miyares is not an A-list celebrity, he rates a place here as someone who should be.

Through his simple and direct prose, Meltzer clearly and concisely demonstrates why he made the choices he did when selecting his heroes. The odds are fairly good that your hero is in this book. Mine --- Chesley B. Sullenberger III --- is among those listed, as are a number of people I would not have thought of and a couple who I would not have included under any circumstances. That, however, is the beauty of this work, and of Meltzer's suggestion that readers construct their own lists. It is indisputable, though, that two of the most important entries in HEROES FOR MY SON are placed at the end of the book. And if a revised version is ever published, there is a Little League coach in Broward County, Florida, who should be included as well. Read more ›