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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.
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Harper; 1 edition (May 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061905283
ISBN-13: 978-0061905285
Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.6 x 7 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #29,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #26 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Fatherhood #34 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Parenting > Parenting Boys #649 in Books > Self-Help > Motivational
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!
I ordered this book for my grandson's 6th birthday. Like the author, we're always looking for role models for the kids, people who demonstrate good character and values. The concept is great. Stories always speak louder than lectures!A few things in this book stopped me, however. Other families might not take issue with the same things (or might take issue with other things we found acceptable). I'll give a few examples, although I didn't make a detailed list.1. Paul Newman is listed as "Actor. Sex Symbol. Philanthropist." Sex Symbol? Really? In a child's book?2. Harper Lee's story includes this narrative statement in the author's words: "She was convinced her novel wasn't worth a damn." Again, was this necessary in a child's book?3. Eli Segal (who helped establish AmeriCorp) is praised for hiring the author at age 21, including that Segal "used to lie about my age to people we would meet with."A lot of my objections are to subtleties scattered throughout the book. I don't object to including negative traits of "heroes" in an age-appropriate way; I object to portraying what I view as distinct negatives (like lying) in a positive or even neutral light.A fair number of the "heroes" also don't fit that category in my mind. Real heroes are mixed in with relative lightweights. Mother Teresa and Lucille Ball? Jonas Salk and Pele? That being said, there were enough one-page stories of genuine heroes that it provides at least some value for discussion and bed-time reading. This just isn't a book I'd be comfortable handing to my own young reader.
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.
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.
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!!
I'm a fan of Meltzer, but I was disappointed with this book. He did a decent job choosing the heroes, but barely scratched the surface on why. His introduction explains why he did not expand too much on his choices, but that did not ease any disappointment. I feel like I wasted my money. Don't waste yours.
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