Leo Margulies: Giant of the Pulps: His Thrilling, Exciting, and Popular Journey

As a long-time pulp fan, this new book caught my eye. As a fan of early science fiction, detective series and war heroes on the pages of the pulps, I knew that Leo Margulies had been one of the dominant editors during the pulps’ heyday. I thought I’d give this book a try. It turned out to be well worth my time.The pulp magazine industry flourished from the early 1900’s until the mid-1950’s. At the center of it all from the 1930’s until the 1950’s was Leo Margulies, editor-in-chief at The Thrilling Group of publications. I learned he was a warm, influential, and colorful character that knew everyone in the business, and was known as “The Little Giant of the Pulps.” Creator of the ten-cent pulp, he went on to build a publishing empire, working with young writers as diverse as Isaac Asimov, Louis L’Amour , Ray Bradbury and L. Ron Hubbard of later Scientology fame. It’s hard to believe, but at one point Margulies was editing over 40 publications at one time, and I believe over 70 over the course of his career.Author Philip Sherman has produced a well written and fascinating account of a life fully lived. Well researched, it provides insights into the many publications Margulies led and the authors he worked with. The fact that Sherman is Margulies’ nephew and the book contains his personal memories of his uncle adds a nice, personal touch to the biography. Excellent piece of work.

Before comic books took hold, the pulps ruled. These pulp fiction magazines, famed for their colorful and dramatic covers, sensational plots, low cost and cheap pulp paper, ruled the roost in the first half of the 20th century. Although the pulps died in the 1950’s, the live action good vs. evil themes they embodied lived on in comic books, radio, paperback fiction and in film. Instrumental in launching science fiction as a genre and the careers of pulp and later famous writers like Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury was the editor Leo Margulies. As a collector of pulp magazines with Margulies at the top of the masthead, I’m aware of Leo, who was known as the “Little Giant of the Pulps.” This is a fascinating and personal account of Margulies’ life, someone so talented that he leaped to publishing management at a young age and then went on to guide a series of talented young writers. Editors like Margulies and the gifted writers he mentored, drove the industry’s popularity to new heights. Like the pulps I collect and read, I devoured this history in a few sittings.

Pulp literature is a cornerstone in the history of American popular culture, and the story of Leo Margulies is, to a great extent, the story of American pulp literature. Margulies was the developer and editor of scores of pulp magazines from the 1930's through the 1970's. In that role, he was the discoverer, mentor, and friend of emerging and established literary talent. Philip Sherman's biography of Margulies is comprehensive, painstakingly researched and full of detail. In addition, being Margulies' nephew, Sherman has access to his own and other family members' first-hand reminisces. Many of the greats of western, detective, and science fiction literature appear in the book, including, Louis L'Amour, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Frank Gruber, Zane Grey, Jack London, and Phillip K. Dick - notably in their early careers in correspondence with Margulies. This book will be an important resource to all aficionados of pulp literature.

I bought this book because of my interest in the Pulps, but I soon found my interest shifted more to the man, Leo Margulies, whose life generated the book. Clearly he was one of the central figures in the Pulp phenomenon, but he, himself, was well worth discovering as his influence in various publishing ventures was significant and extensive.The book has admirable balance: it is both engaging and informative. It is a fine read about a fascinating man and a valuable source of information about the Pulps, the times that generated them, and those who created them. In short, the book provides an interesting picture about an important part of 20th century American history.

Very informative and detailed information on the history of the Pulp magazines and Leo Margulies' contribution to the development of that form of literature. Enjoyed the narrative with original correspondences between Leo and many of the publishers, editors and writers of that time.