Superman

The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero

By: Larry Tye

Narrated by: Scott Brick

The first full-fledged history not just of the Man of Steel but of the creators, designers, owners, and performers who made him the icon he is today, from the New York Times bestselling author of Satchel and Bobby Kennedy

“A story as American as Superman himself.”—The Washington Post

Legions of fans from Boston to Buenos Aires can recite the story of the child born Kal-El, scion of the doomed planet Krypton, who was rocketed to Earth as an infant, raised by humble Kansas farmers, and rechristened Clark Kent. Known to law-abiders and evildoers alike as Superman, he was destined to become the invincible champion of all that is good and just—and a star in every medium from comic books and comic strips to radio, TV, and film.

But behind the high-flying legend lies a true-to-life saga every bit as compelling, one that begins not in the far reaches of outer space but in the middle of America’s heartland. During the depths of the Great Depression, Jerry Siegel was a shy, awkward teenager in Cleveland. Raised on adventure tales and robbed of his father at a young age, Jerry dreamed of a hero for a boy and a world that desperately needed one. Together with neighborhood chum and kindred spirit Joe Shuster, young Siegel conjured a human-sized god who was everything his creators yearned to be: handsome, stalwart, and brave, able to protect the innocent, punish the wicked, save the day, and win the girl. It was on Superman’s muscle-bound back that the comic book and the very idea of the superhero took flight.

Tye chronicles the adventures of the men and women who kept Siegel and Shuster’s “Man of Tomorrow” aloft and vitally alive through seven decades and counting. Here are the savvy publishers and visionary writers and artists of comics’ Golden Age who ushered the red-and-blue-clad titan through changing eras and evolving incarnations; and the actors—including George Reeves and Christopher Reeve—who brought the Man of Steel to life on screen, only to succumb themselves to all-too-human tragedy in the mortal world. Here too is the poignant and compelling history of Siegel and Shuster’s lifelong struggle for the recognition and rewards rightly due to the architects of a genuine cultural phenomenon.

From two-fisted crimebuster to über-patriot, social crusader to spiritual savior, Superman—perhaps like no other mythical character before or since—has evolved in a way that offers a Rorschach test of his times and our aspirations. In this deftly realized appreciation, Larry Tye reveals a portrait of America over seventy years through the lens of that otherworldly hero who continues to embody our best selves.

Critic reviews

“Engaging, fun, inspiring—like the Man of Steel.”—The Huffington Post

“Powerful . . . wonderfully readable.”—The Plain Dealer

“A story as American as Superman himself . . . The best origin story pulsing through Superman is not the one about the Krypton-to-Kansas alien baby, but rather the one about the superhero’s mortal and sometimes star-crossed creators.”—The Washington Post

“Fun, enlightening pop-cultural history.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A rich history full of lively heroes and villains‚ much like a comic book. Essential for Superman fans.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“[A] comprehensive, definitive history.”—Publishers Weekly

“Action and adventure . . . comedy . . . tragedy . . . mythology . . . Larry Tye captures it all! As complete a history of the Man of Steel as ever published, this book is a deeply documented yet anecdotally told tale that transports us from the bedroom of a daydreaming teenager in 1930's Cleveland, Ohio, to the collapsing towers of the planet Krypton, from the wheatfields of middle America to the hearts of every American, with a story that is entertaining, revealing, and shocking, yet crammed with historical information. If you liked reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, wait till you read Larry Tye’s true story behind it all!”—Michael Uslan, author of The Boy Who Loved Batman and executive producer of seven Batman movies

“I only wish I had the good fortune of reading Larry Tye’s book before I made Superman, the problem being that if I had, then the motion picture part of Superman’s history would not have been in Mr. Tye’s book. Having said that, the reason I found Tye’s book incredibly informative is his sense of my bible in making the film—that is, verisimilitude. Reality overcame everything.”—Richard Donner, director of Superman

Up, Up and Away!

I first took notice of Larry Tye when listening to interviews about his book Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon (2016). By sheer happenstance, he once mentioned a book of his about the Man of Steel and my inner geek was elated! The decision to get the book was a no-brainer.

Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero is an interesting and largely biographical book, with the author largely (but not exclusively) focusing on Superman and his co-creators Jerry Siegel (1914-1996) and Joe Shuster (1914-1992). How did it all happen? How did it come to pass that two young, Jewish boys in Cleveland came up with a Superhero that would not only defy the odds and become a financial success but rise to the pinnacle of popular culture and continue to evolve for each passing generation to the point of reaching immortality? Superman has appeared everywhere, from comic books and comic strips to radio, television and the big screen - and now, thanks to Larry Tye, he's got his own high-flying biography.

I can warmly recommend this book. Aside from a deeply interesting subject matter and thorough research by the author, the narration by Scott Brick was wonderful and always on-point.

The Man of Tomorrow has an 80-year journey behind him at this point in time and I see no reason why he can't continue for centuries to come. Want to know why? Read the book.

Incredible Details

This book is just Super man. Loved the history
the anecdotes and all the details

Entertaining and encyclopedic

For long time Superfans, a journey through the character's many media incarnations. For new fans, a perspective on why he is who he is, and why he matters.

Superb!!!

I have been a fan of Superman for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching Smallville I watch the Superman Adventures of the cartoon shows I've seen every single Superman movie. I love Superman and this book does Justice for not only the name but for the brand, for the Legacy, for the legend that is Superman this book was great. There was just so much more that went to the development of the man of steel that we know today and this book gives you the entire synapses from first day to everything that happened up to 2012.

Exhaustive, yet shallow

Would you be willing to try another book from Larry Tye? Why or why not?

Mr. Tye's account of the history of Superman as introductory material. I would enjoy a book he had written if I needed a cursory introduction. As long as you are starting with little knowledge of his subject, I would recommend Tye.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Scott Brick is great at not getting in the way. His read is not boring or monotone, neither is it affected or overwrought.