Customer Reviews

Heroes for My Son

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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!

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.

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!!

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.

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.

My 10 yr old grandson has read this book 3 times in about 6 months. The stories of the heroes are 2-pages long, most of them, and are great for night time reading just before nodding off. The book covers a range of heroes from history, sports, musicians.

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.

Not bad, but some stories are corny, religious, or unrealistic. Some inclusions are strange. Are the men who invented the Superman heroes? "They gave us something to believe in." Cheesy.

I gave this book to my son on Father's Day....seem crazy? Well, my husband, my son's father passed away a couple of years ago; I put photos of my son & his dad in the back of the book where is says "my heroes". My son was overwhelmed with emotions; he loved it.What a great gift it was to MY SON.

What a wonderful collection of stories! I bought this book to give to my godson but have ended up keeping this copy and plan to purchase a second copy for him!