Millpoint's most famous inmate

Howard Fast was an American novelist and television writer. He was born on November 11, 1914, in Manhattan, New York City. His father was a working-class man who held a variety of jobs, and his mother died when he was a child. Fast began writing at an early age, and his first novel, Two Valleys, was published in 1933 when he was 18 years old.

Fast's early novels were often historical romances, but he soon began to write more politically-themed works. His 1943 novel, Citizen Tom Paine, was a fictionalized account of the life of the American revolutionary. This book was a critical and commercial success, and it established Fast as a major voice in American literature.

In the 1950s, Fast was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) for his membership in the Communist Party. He was imprisoned for six months for refusing to testify before HUAC, and his books were banned from publication in many countries.

While he was in prison, Fast began writing his most famous work, Spartacus. This novel tells the story of a slave uprising in ancient Rome. Spartacus was published in 1951, and it became a bestseller despite being banned from many bookstores. The novel was later adapted into a successful film starring Kirk Douglas.

After his release from prison, Fast continued to write prolifically. He wrote more than 80 books, including historical novels, biographies, children's books, and political thrillers. He also wrote screenplays for several films, including The Immigrants (1978) and Penelope (1968).

Fast died in 2003 at the age of 88. He was a prolific and influential writer who left a lasting legacy on American literature.

Here are some of Howard Fast's most famous works:

• Citizen Tom Paine (1943)
• Freedom Road (1944)
• Spartacus (1951)
• The Last Frontier (1956)
• The Immigrants (1977)
• Penelope (1968)

Fast was a controversial figure, but he was also a gifted writer who produced some of the most enduring works of American literature. His books continue to be read and enjoyed by readers around the world.