Milton Meltzer (1915–2009)
Author of Never to Forget: The Jews of the Holocaust
About the Author
Historian Milton Meltzer was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1915. He attended Columbia University, but had to leave during his senior year because of the Great Depression. He got a job writing for the WPA Federal Theater Project. During World War II, he served as an air traffic controller in show more the Army Air Corps. After the war, he worked as a writer for CBS radio and in public relations for Pfizer. In 1956, he published his first book A Pictorial History of the Negro American, which was co-written by Langston Hughes. They also collaborated on Langston Hughes: A Biography, which was published in 1968 and received the Carter G. Woodson award. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 110 books for young people including Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? about the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression; Never to Forget about the Holocaust; and There Comes a Time about the Civil Rights movement. He also addressed such topics as crime, ancient Egypt, the immigrant experience, labor movements, photography, piracy, poverty, racism, and slavery. He wrote numerous biographies including ones on Mary McLeod Bethune, Lydia Maria Child, Dorothea Lange, Margaret Sanger, and Henry David Thoreau. He received the 2000 Regina Medal and the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his body of work and his lasting contribution to children's literature. He died of esophageal cancer on September 19, 2009 at the age of 94. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Milton Meltzer in 1996 (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
Series
Works by Milton Meltzer
Mark Twain Himself: Printer, Pilot, Soldier, Miner, Reporter, Lecturer, Editor, Humorist, Author, Businessman, Publisher: In Words and Pictures (1983) — Editor — 142 copies
The Amazing Potato: A Story in Which the Incas, Conquistadors, Marie Antoinette, Thomas Jefferson, Wars, Famines, Immigrants, and French Fries All Play a Part (1992) 99 copies, 7 reviews
Hear that Train Whistle Blow! How the Railroad Changed the World (Landmark Books) (2004) 73 copies, 1 review
Gold: The True Story of Why People Search for It, Mine It, Trade It, Steal It, Mint It, Hoard It, Shape It, Wear It, Fight and Kill for It (1993) 55 copies
Violins & Shovels: The WPA Arts Projects A New Deal for America's Hungry Artists of the 1930's (1976) 18 copies
Ferdinand Magellan: First to Sail Around the World (Great Explorations (Benchmark)) (2002) 14 copies, 1 review
Nonfiction for the Classroom: Milton Meltzer on Writing, History, and Social Responsibility (Language & Literacy Series) (1994) 12 copies
Bound for the Rio Grande;: The Mexican struggle, 1845-1850 (The Living history library) (1974) 8 copies
Thoreau People Principles & Politics 2 copies
Mark Twain Himself:The Extraordinary Adventures of America's Legendary Wit and Remarkable Renaissance Man (1993) 1 copy
Bread-and-Roses: the Struggle of American Labor 1865-1915 [the Living History Library] (1967) 1 copy
Milton Meltzer 1 copy
Associated Works
On the Wings of Peace: Writers and Illustrators Speak Out for Peace, in Memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1995) — Contributor — 105 copies, 1 review
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1915-05-08
- Date of death
- 2009-09-19
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Columbia University
- Occupations
- professor
historian
biographer - Organizations
- Works Projects Administration
U.S. Army Air Corps
CBS
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Authors Guild
American PEN (show all 7)
Organization of American Historians - Awards and honors
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (2001)
Regina Medal (2000) - Short biography
- After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Meltzer became a radio writer and a public relations executive. At the age of 39, he decided to begin a career writing history books for adults and young people by working with Langston Hughes on A Pictorial History of the Negro in America (1956). In his obituary, The New York Times noted that Meltzer wrote in vivid, concise prose about slavery, witch hunts, the immigrant experience, the Depression, the Holocaust, the civil rights era, and the labor movement, among many other subjects.
Among the many honors for his books are five nominations for the National Book Award as well as the Christopher, Jane Addams, Carter G. Woodson, Jefferson Cup, Washington Book Guild, Olive Branch, and Golden Kite Award. Many of his books have been chosen for the honor lists of the American Library Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the National Council for the Social Studies, as well as for the New York Times Best Books of the Year list. - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Places of residence
- Worchester, Massachusetts, USA
New York, New York, USA - Place of death
- New York, New York, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
Holy cow. I thought I'd studied the plight of African-Americans enough, and was reading this just to see what Meltzer would have to say to youth (because I appreciated his [b:In Their Own Words: A History of the American Negro 1619-1865|6295227|In Their Own Words A History of the American Negro 1619-1865|Milton Meltzer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698965378l/6295227._SX50_.jpg|46188464] so very much [this one has some of 'their own words' but is show more mostly narrative]). I wish more of his books were still in libraries.
But it turns out that this isn't just for youth, and that I learned quite a bit, and that it is thorough & concise, engaging & disturbing. Children need to learn this, but maybe some of the pictures are too intense for the younger ones; you judge for your kids (or better yet, read it first or with them).
I wish I could find more by the editor/author. This, from 2001, seems to be at least one of his last (most recent) books and is, arguably, a crowning achievement. He was definitely concerned about the future and wrote the last chapter to his readers, asking us to help make MLK's dreams come true.
One thing he made clear are the nuances. For example, it's true that white southern plantation owners did own the majority of the slaves, however, "By the 18th century, New England could boast that it controlled the bulk of the slave trade in the New World."
And later, Lincoln, FDR, Kennedy, Johnson, all wanted to give African American all their due civil rights, liberties, and responsibilities, but all had to negotiate, compromise, and make concessions to the white leaders and voters in order to stay in office long enough to get anything at all done.
It took a year of debate for Johnson's Civil Rights Act of 1964 to get passed, for example. And now Georgia is again playing games to disenfranchise African-American voters. And gerrymandering is ridiculous - just look at the outline of any city limits or congressional district you like, for example.
One thing I didn't learn in school, because we were so focused on the misfortunes of the slaves, is that they weren't just victims. Meltzer points out: "Even the powerless slaves spoke out, petitioning for the freedom they claimed was theirs by natural right. They're refusal to be enslaved begin very early, when some revolted aboard ship, while others committed suicide by leaping into the sea. There were frequent efforts to rebel, under pain of mutilation or death, throughout the 200 years of enslavement in North America. Sometimes there were organized insurrections."
"A military edict, [the Emancipation Proclamation] freed slaves only in those parts of the South still in rebellion. That meant millions of black people in the South and border states would remain enslaved until the final collapse of the confederacy."
"Between 1946 and 1967, the federal government spent $904 billion on military power against $96 billion on social needs such as education, health, and welfare."
In 1963, "Again, attack dogs were loosed against fleeing boys and girls."
Meltzer offers, as part of his conclusion, this exhortation: "... democracy is not what he have: IT IS WHAT WE DO" (his emphasis).
If you're interested in this book, or anything about civil rights, don't miss MLK's [b:Letter from the Birmingham Jail|203899|Letter from the Birmingham Jail|Martin Luther King Jr.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1332729896l/203899._SX50_.jpg|197294]. I'm going to have to reread it. show less
But it turns out that this isn't just for youth, and that I learned quite a bit, and that it is thorough & concise, engaging & disturbing. Children need to learn this, but maybe some of the pictures are too intense for the younger ones; you judge for your kids (or better yet, read it first or with them).
I wish I could find more by the editor/author. This, from 2001, seems to be at least one of his last (most recent) books and is, arguably, a crowning achievement. He was definitely concerned about the future and wrote the last chapter to his readers, asking us to help make MLK's dreams come true.
One thing he made clear are the nuances. For example, it's true that white southern plantation owners did own the majority of the slaves, however, "By the 18th century, New England could boast that it controlled the bulk of the slave trade in the New World."
And later, Lincoln, FDR, Kennedy, Johnson, all wanted to give African American all their due civil rights, liberties, and responsibilities, but all had to negotiate, compromise, and make concessions to the white leaders and voters in order to stay in office long enough to get anything at all done.
It took a year of debate for Johnson's Civil Rights Act of 1964 to get passed, for example. And now Georgia is again playing games to disenfranchise African-American voters. And gerrymandering is ridiculous - just look at the outline of any city limits or congressional district you like, for example.
One thing I didn't learn in school, because we were so focused on the misfortunes of the slaves, is that they weren't just victims. Meltzer points out: "Even the powerless slaves spoke out, petitioning for the freedom they claimed was theirs by natural right. They're refusal to be enslaved begin very early, when some revolted aboard ship, while others committed suicide by leaping into the sea. There were frequent efforts to rebel, under pain of mutilation or death, throughout the 200 years of enslavement in North America. Sometimes there were organized insurrections."
"A military edict, [the Emancipation Proclamation] freed slaves only in those parts of the South still in rebellion. That meant millions of black people in the South and border states would remain enslaved until the final collapse of the confederacy."
"Between 1946 and 1967, the federal government spent $904 billion on military power against $96 billion on social needs such as education, health, and welfare."
In 1963, "Again, attack dogs were loosed against fleeing boys and girls."
Meltzer offers, as part of his conclusion, this exhortation: "... democracy is not what he have: IT IS WHAT WE DO" (his emphasis).
If you're interested in this book, or anything about civil rights, don't miss MLK's [b:Letter from the Birmingham Jail|203899|Letter from the Birmingham Jail|Martin Luther King Jr.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1332729896l/203899._SX50_.jpg|197294]. I'm going to have to reread it. show less
I think the only thing I knew previously knew about this famous 19th Century war was no treaty was ever signed and the Seminoles of Florida are still, technically, at war with the United States. Perhaps with those that never left that may be true. But, the story is much more complicated than that. There were multiple Seminole wars with treaties along the way and the lion's share of treaty abuse falling on the American Government, settlers and the ambassador-imprisoning General Thomas S. show more Jesup. It reads to me like in the long, fitful century or more of American untangling its economy and morality from slavery this is a gory apex after the ban on importation of slavery and the illegalization of slavery after the Civil War. The land of the Seminoles feet was as wanted by Americans as the runaway slaves and Africans that lived with them and held high position. show less
An excellent introduction to the topic; I'm glad I started here. The writing is clear and understandable; it's definitely academic, but not as dry as it could have been. The chapters are nice and short, each giving a brief over-view of a particular time and place. It's never an easy read, especially when covering the horrific sadism of masters through-out history, and especially awkward (as a Brit) to read of the hypocrisy and horrors perpetrated by the British and their descendents.
Most show more books on slavery are either about ancient Greece and Rome or the United States. This book certainly focused on Rome and the Americas, but I learnt more than I expected other societies. I was especially interested to read about slavery as it was practised in many African societies before the arrival of European traders, and how centuries of increasing demand for slaves from European and Arab traders destroyed the civilisations of Africa as it became more and more profitable for Africans to abandon trade and turn to raiding their neighbours. There was also an interesting comment about the Native tribes of America, some of whom also took up plantation slavery like the white Americans. I'd never heard anything of that before!
There was very little about slavery in the far east until the final chapters discussing modern day slavery. This is a pity because there doesn't seem to much written on the subject in English, and it must be interesting, given how much longer civilisation has been flourishing in China and India than in Europe. show less
Most show more books on slavery are either about ancient Greece and Rome or the United States. This book certainly focused on Rome and the Americas, but I learnt more than I expected other societies. I was especially interested to read about slavery as it was practised in many African societies before the arrival of European traders, and how centuries of increasing demand for slaves from European and Arab traders destroyed the civilisations of Africa as it became more and more profitable for Africans to abandon trade and turn to raiding their neighbours. There was also an interesting comment about the Native tribes of America, some of whom also took up plantation slavery like the white Americans. I'd never heard anything of that before!
There was very little about slavery in the far east until the final chapters discussing modern day slavery. This is a pity because there doesn't seem to much written on the subject in English, and it must be interesting, given how much longer civilisation has been flourishing in China and India than in Europe. show less
Note that I read the first book of what appears to be a trilogy. Listings are a mess here on GR. I read '1619-1865.' I would like to read the others.
Wow. The more I think about it, the more I think it deserves five stars. Everyone should read it. Meltzer deserves lots of credit for choosing which selections to include, and for adding clarifying & concise notes, and for including back matter... but the excerpts, speeches, letters, etc. are the highlight. And gosh are they powerful. Not show more unremittingly grim, but horrifying & enlightening nonetheless.
[a:Benjamin Banneker|3985337|Benjamin Banneker|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] wrote a letter and sent his almanac to Thomas Jefferson, who conceded then that the Negro is not, after all, an inherently inferior race.
"As slaves continued to fight for their freedom, the bondage laws were made harsher and harsher."
The Federal Writer's Project shows up again - this time preserving history in the collection of memories of former slaves.
"What to the American slave is your 4th of July?" asks [a:Frederick Douglass|18943|Frederick Douglass|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1511594938p2/18943.jpg].
I like how one freed slave gets a letter from the old master, asking him to come back to work for wages, and he says, basically, pay us our back wages first so we have evidence we can trust you, it comes to $11,680.' show less
Wow. The more I think about it, the more I think it deserves five stars. Everyone should read it. Meltzer deserves lots of credit for choosing which selections to include, and for adding clarifying & concise notes, and for including back matter... but the excerpts, speeches, letters, etc. are the highlight. And gosh are they powerful. Not show more unremittingly grim, but horrifying & enlightening nonetheless.
[a:Benjamin Banneker|3985337|Benjamin Banneker|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] wrote a letter and sent his almanac to Thomas Jefferson, who conceded then that the Negro is not, after all, an inherently inferior race.
"As slaves continued to fight for their freedom, the bondage laws were made harsher and harsher."
The Federal Writer's Project shows up again - this time preserving history in the collection of memories of former slaves.
"What to the American slave is your 4th of July?" asks [a:Frederick Douglass|18943|Frederick Douglass|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1511594938p2/18943.jpg].
I like how one freed slave gets a letter from the old master, asking him to come back to work for wages, and he says, basically, pay us our back wages first so we have evidence we can trust you, it comes to $11,680.' show less
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