How a novelist helped recover a missing piece of American history from the 9/11 attacks.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Brad Meltzer is a prolific author of political thrillers and children's biographies, but his influence extends far beyond the page. By leveraging his television platform to crowdsource historical research, he successfully located a lost artifact from the World Trade Center, proving that storytelling can be a powerful tool for civic engagement.

Born in 1970, Brad Meltzer built a career blending historical intrigue with modern suspense. His novels, such as those in the Culper Ring series, often explore the idea that secret historical organizations continue to operate in the present day. This fascination with hidden history is not merely academic; it has led him to actively participate in the preservation of American heritage. For instance, he helped save the Cleveland home where Superman was created and raised over $100,000 to support the Siegel & Shuster Society.

Meltzer’s commitment to history reached a national scale through his television work. In his series Brad Meltzer's Lost History, he highlighted the disappearance of the flag raised by firefighters at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. By sharing the story with his audience and requesting assistance, he triggered a chain of events that led a former Marine to return the artifact to a fire station in Everett, Washington. The flag was subsequently authenticated and placed on display at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Beyond his investigative efforts, Meltzer has influenced public discourse through his writing and advocacy. He has co-written the AmeriCorps swearing-in oath and authored a series of biographies for young readers titled Ordinary People Change the World. His work often emphasizes the impact of individual actions, a theme he reinforces through his public speaking and his efforts to promote literacy. Whether through his thrillers or his historical research, Meltzer consistently bridges the gap between entertainment and the preservation of the stories that define a nation.

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