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A Personal Odyssey Audiobook
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(4.02) - 157 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Here is the gritty, powerful story of Thomas Sowell’s life-long education in the school of hard knocks, as the journey took him from Harlem to the Marines, the Ivy League, and a career as a controversial writer, teacher, and economist in government and private industry. It is also the story of the dramatically changing times in which this personal odyssey took place.
The vignettes of the people and places that made an impression on Thomas Sowell at various stages of his life range from the poor and powerless to the mighty and the wealthy, from a home for homeless boys to the White House, as well as ranging across the United States and around the world. It also includes Sowell’s startling discovery of his own origins during his teenage years.
More than a story of the life of Sowell himself, this is also about the people who gave him their help, their support, and their loyalty, as well as those who demonized him and knifed him in the back. It is a study not just of one life but also of life in general, with all its exhilaration and pain of constant striving and deserved success.
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"Enjoyable, though tedious at times, i.e. the military exploits. i preferred hearing about his modest upbringing and rise to educational expert, from the black conservative perspective. yes even a liberal can learn something from a conservative. "
— Gerianne (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Thomas Sowell is a national treasure. In our time, no one has written more wisely on the issues of culture and race.”
— David Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author -
“This account of Thomas Sowell’s ‘odyssey’ is an indispensable clue to the mystery of how he managed to become the extraordinary man he is and one of the few intellectuals of our time who deserves to be called heroic.”
— Norman Podhoretz, New York Times bestselling author -
“An enjoyable history of a fascinating man.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Often reflective and always provocative.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Sowell admits to having had plenty of enemies, but enough friends to save him. This memoir should multiply the latter. Jeff Riggenbach…renders the narrative vividly.”
— AudioFile -
“Jeff Riggenbach provides his usual proficient narration. Recommended.”
— Library Journal -
“Hard-edged, tough-minded, and unabashedly opinionated, but a refreshingly frank record of a controversial life.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Thomas Sowell’s A Personal Odyssey is a tour de force. After reading this very engaging and well-written memoir, readers will clearly understand why Sowell, a man who does not sacrifice his principles, is one of the most provocative and influential public intellectuals in the last half century.”
— William Julius Wilson, author of The Truly Disadvantaged
A Personal Odyssey Listener Reviews
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" In interesting life, well told. Shows his struggles to get an education, especially early on. Also his struggles as a teacher that informed his opinion of college educational establishments. "
— Blake, 7/12/2013 -
" VERY good. Content: limited profanity. "
— Ben, 6/2/2013 -
" Enjoyable, though tedious at times, i.e. the military exploits. i preferred hearing about his modest upbringing and rise to educational expert, from the black conservative perspective. yes even a liberal can learn something from a conservative. "
— Gerianne, 4/10/2013 -
" Very good book, I appreciate the honesty and perspective I gained from Dr. Sowell. "
— Joseph, 2/28/2013 -
" Thomas Sowell is amazing! And I thought that before I read his biography. So good! "
— Diane, 1/5/2013 -
" Good narrative; absorbing... I borrowed this from someone who loves Sowell's economic writing and this showed me whey. "
— Jennifer, 7/8/2012 -
" Terrific book, great stories, very entertaining "
— Jared, 11/2/2011 -
" I really liked this book, but if you aren't a big Sowell fan your time would probably be better spent. "
— Jeff, 10/28/2011 -
" Very enlightening highlights of Thomas Sowell's life. What a great example for people of all cultures. "
— Seena, 7/15/2011 -
" Terrific book, great stories, very entertaining "
— Jared, 2/13/2011 -
" I really liked this book, but if you aren't a big Sowell fan your time would probably be better spent. "
— Jeff, 1/10/2009 -
" VERY good. Content: limited profanity. "
— Ben, 7/4/2008
About Thomas Sowell
Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the author of dozens of books and the recipient of various awards, including the National Humanities Medal, presented by the president of the United States in 2003.
About Jeff Riggenbach
Jeff Riggenbach (1947-2021) narrated numerous titles for Blackstone Audio and won an AudioFile Earphones Award. An author, contributing editor, and producer, he worked in radio in San Francisco for more than thirty years, earning a Golden Mike Award for journalistic excellence.