nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
Thought-provoking, with strong promise for both individual reflection and group discussion. To be honest, I found the introduction and closing call to action more moving than the main text. That said, I also realized that the story holds more power once the reader steps back and assesses it as a whole rather than in the somewhat contrived back-and-forth structure. This is a narrative that will challenge preconceptions and endure.
[split reading between ebook and audiobook]
[split reading between ebook and audiobook]
karimorton33's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping more for this book. Individually I enjoyed the story about each person, but I didn’t see how they were linked other than having the same name. I wish there had been more of them talking to each other. (Read for Central Book Club)
theonionboy's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, just read this, please. I think everyone needs to read this. I think it can point us in the right direction to turn around our society. It has impacted me, given me a lot to think about, and challenged me to do something about it. All that without appearing to set out to do so. What more could you want in a non-fiction book?
I listened to the audiobook by the author. Wes Moore may not be a professional book narrator; there are some pauses and awkward phrases, but it doesn't detract from the message of the book. I am glad the author narrated it, and he did a very good job.
At one point, when the author was attacked and was making the split-second decision to escalate the situation or drop it, he mentioned many of the things that went through his mind. Part of it was the influence of his father and the meaning of the middle name his father insisted on giving him. He made the right choice that day. The other Wes didn't appear to have such a moment.
Here are a few of the lines that stood out to me:
"Young boys are more likely to believe in themselves if they know that there is someone, somewhere, who shares that belief."
"In third grade I was reading at a second grade reading level. Later in life I learned that the way many governors projected the number of beds they'd need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders. The elected officials deduced that a strong percentage of kids reading below their grade level by third grade would be needing a secure place to stay when they got older. "
"Boredom in teenage boys is a powerful motivation to create chaos."
I listened to the audiobook by the author. Wes Moore may not be a professional book narrator; there are some pauses and awkward phrases, but it doesn't detract from the message of the book. I am glad the author narrated it, and he did a very good job.
At one point, when the author was attacked and was making the split-second decision to escalate the situation or drop it, he mentioned many of the things that went through his mind. Part of it was the influence of his father and the meaning of the middle name his father insisted on giving him. He made the right choice that day. The other Wes didn't appear to have such a moment.
Here are a few of the lines that stood out to me:
"Young boys are more likely to believe in themselves if they know that there is someone, somewhere, who shares that belief."
"In third grade I was reading at a second grade reading level. Later in life I learned that the way many governors projected the number of beds they'd need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders. The elected officials deduced that a strong percentage of kids reading below their grade level by third grade would be needing a secure place to stay when they got older. "
"Boredom in teenage boys is a powerful motivation to create chaos."
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting, but it wasn't world-changing like the hype made it seem. I liked the exploration of two men who started in similar places but then ended up with entirely different lives.
tschmitty's review
3.0
I liked this book well enough, but I felt like their stories while both interesting, were disjointed when trying to tell a linear tale.
tinybiscuits's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I wish there was a more defined timeline of the two Wes Moores in this book, but I still got the main point. I listened to the audiobook for a majority of it and wonder if a second narrator for the other Wes Moore would have helped with any confusion, but even with going back to print at times I still felt a little throwed off. Overall it was definitely a great conversation starter with a noteworthy call to action by Smiley and got a pretty good idea of the people, life events and lessons that shaped Wes Moore.
lydialindvall's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
This book was a cool glimpse into a world I’ve never experienced. The craft of this book is amazing- it’s super immersive and descriptive. Read it!
barbara_sun's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting memoir
Interesting story but I think it could have been fleshed out a lot more. The two Weses weren't really very similar at all. Their family dynamic and support systems were very different. Religion wasn't brought up much, but I'm curious as to how the church might have played a role in the author's life, since his grandfather had been a pastor. It was touched on with the other Wes Moore, rather negatively, and then a conversion to Islam in jail... Has he found peace? Has his faith helped him? I would have liked to hear more about the author's upbringing when it came to his faith.
I did enjoy the book and would recommend it.
Interesting story but I think it could have been fleshed out a lot more. The two Weses weren't really very similar at all. Their family dynamic and support systems were very different. Religion wasn't brought up much, but I'm curious as to how the church might have played a role in the author's life, since his grandfather had been a pastor. It was touched on with the other Wes Moore, rather negatively, and then a conversion to Islam in jail... Has he found peace? Has his faith helped him? I would have liked to hear more about the author's upbringing when it came to his faith.
I did enjoy the book and would recommend it.