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plantybooklover's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
2 men with the same name grew up in similar circumstances but one became a political leader while the other went to prison for life.
This book chronicles the life of both Wes Moores, and it was fascinating and interesting, but I think in the end where it fell flat for me was that they never identified what made the difference for the two men, although it was clearly obvious that the difference was literally one Wes ended up with access to money - which bought him an education at a school that was entirely focused on his success, possibly some ambition, but mostly it seemed, money.
This book chronicles the life of both Wes Moores, and it was fascinating and interesting, but I think in the end where it fell flat for me was that they never identified what made the difference for the two men, although it was clearly obvious that the difference was literally one Wes ended up with access to money - which bought him an education at a school that was entirely focused on his success, possibly some ambition, but mostly it seemed, money.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Violence, Pregnancy, and War
auds_wright's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I purchased this book at a library book sale because the concept sounded fascinating to me.
"The Other Wes Moore" is a nonfiction book that follows two young men, both named Wes Moore. Despite being born at similar times, both in Baltimore, MD, and both growing up without a father figure, both Wes Moores took very different paths in life. One Wes grew up to be very successful and educated, while the other went to prison for armed robbery. What made their lives turn out so differently when their beginnings were so similar?
I think this idea is fascinating because either story could have easily become the other Wes Moore's. They both faced challenges growing up and they both had run-ins with the police. They also both grew up in rough neighborhoods.
When the other heard about the other Wes Moore in the news he was curious to look into the man who shared his name. He quickly uncovered that their stories were super similar, which inspired him to talk to this Wes and write this story. The book does a great job at exploring both of their upbringings, while not trying to sway the reader to believe one thing or another. The book does a fair job of showing the best and worst of each Wes Moore so that one is not "better" than the other. There are additionally pictures of the boys growing up in the book, which helps to paint a better picture of their childhoods.
I definitely highly recommend this book!
"The Other Wes Moore" is a nonfiction book that follows two young men, both named Wes Moore. Despite being born at similar times, both in Baltimore, MD, and both growing up without a father figure, both Wes Moores took very different paths in life. One Wes grew up to be very successful and educated, while the other went to prison for armed robbery. What made their lives turn out so differently when their beginnings were so similar?
I think this idea is fascinating because either story could have easily become the other Wes Moore's. They both faced challenges growing up and they both had run-ins with the police. They also both grew up in rough neighborhoods.
When the other heard about the other Wes Moore in the news he was curious to look into the man who shared his name. He quickly uncovered that their stories were super similar, which inspired him to talk to this Wes and write this story. The book does a great job at exploring both of their upbringings, while not trying to sway the reader to believe one thing or another. The book does a fair job of showing the best and worst of each Wes Moore so that one is not "better" than the other. There are additionally pictures of the boys growing up in the book, which helps to paint a better picture of their childhoods.
I definitely highly recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
skeltzer's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Wanted to read this because Wes Moore is about to become governor of my state. The writing was fine but not impressive (he admits, and it's clear, that he has no journalism training), and there were a few small details that seemed inaccurate that took me out of the narrative (Baltimore wasn't the birthplace of Edgar Allan Poe; one of the high schools mentioned isn't located where they described it) but not enough to make me stop reading. The Tavis Smiley call to action was jarring in the switch of tenor and tone. Moore seems quite aware that he could have ended up as the other Wes Moore did if not for a supportive family who wasn't necessarily privileged financially but had an understanding of how the world worked. The thing that bothers me about this book is that it's kind of exploitative - Wes Moore is using the story of the other Wes Moore to prove a point and effectively promote himself. I remember when this book came out but I don't remember the reaction when it did. I wonder what Wes Moore is or has done for the other Wes Moore since the book came out. Not that he's obligated to do anything, of course, and the other Wes Moore agreed to be a part of the book, but it makes me pause.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use and Racial slurs
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