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The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates Audiobook
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(3.00) - 6,904 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Two kids with the same name lived in the same decaying city. One went on to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. Here is the story of two boys and the journey of a generation.
In December 2000, the Baltimore Sun ran a small piece about Wes Moore, a local student who had just received a Rhodes Scholarship. The same paper also ran a series of articles about four young men who had allegedly killed a police officer in a spectacularly botched armed robbery. The police were still hunting for two of the suspects who had gone on the lam, a pair of brothers. One was named Wes Moore.
Wes just couldn’t shake off the unsettling coincidence, or the inkling that the two shared much more than space in the same newspaper. After following the story of the robbery, the manhunt, and the trial to its conclusion, he wrote a letter to the other Wes, now a convicted murderer serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. His letter tentatively asked the questions that had been haunting him: Who are you? How did this happen?
That letter led to a correspondence and relationship that have lasted for several years. Over dozens of letters and prison visits, Wes discovered that the other Wes had had a life not unlike his own: Both had grown up in similar neighborhoods and had had difficult childhoods, both were fatherless; they’d hung out on similar corners with similar crews, and both had run into trouble with the police. At each stage of their young lives they had come across similar moments of decision, yet their choices would lead them to astonishingly different destinies.
Told in alternating dramatic narratives that take readers from heart-wrenching losses to moments of surprising redemption, The Other Wes Moore tells the story of a generation of boys trying to find their way in a hostile world.
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"I liked this book. As the description states, it's about two men who grew up with the same name, at the same time, in similar neighborhoods, and yet the paths they chose led to extremely different adulthoods. This is particularly relevant to my work with young people, many of whom have struggled through difficulties that I cannot imagine having had to endure. It's one thing to hear from me that challenges can be overcome, but I think it's much more relevant coming from a writer like Wes Moore. I hope to get more of mys students to read his story."
— Amanda (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Moving and inspiring, The Other Wes Moore is a story for our times.
— Alex Kotlowitz, author of There Are No Children Here -
A tense, compelling story and an inspirational guide for all who care about helping young people.
— Juan Williams, author of Enough -
This should be required reading for anyone who is trying to understand what is happening to young men in our inner cities.
— Geoffrey Canada, author of Fist Stick Knife Gun “The Other Wes Moore gets to the heart of the matter on faith, education, respect, the hard facts of incarceration, and the choices and challenges we all face. It’s educational and inspiring. -
Wes Moore is destined to become one of the most powerful and influential leaders of this century. You need only read this book to understand why.
— William S. Cohen, former U.S. senator and secretary of defense -
This intriguing narrative is enlightening, encouraging, and empowering. Read these words, absorb their meanings, and create your own plan to act and leave a legacy.
— Tavis Smiley, from the Afterword
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A San Francisco Chronicle bestseller
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A 2010 GoodReads Readers’ Choice Nominee for Memoir and Autobiography
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An iBooks bestseller in Biographies & Memoirs
The Other Wes Moore Listener Reviews
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Edward Anderson, 12/28/2022
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" Great book but it was a little difficult for our students to follow. But it provides a great discussion! "
— Words, 1/30/2014 -
" This is the book selection for next year's First Year/Freshman experience class. So far, I'm happy with the choice of book. "
— Elizabeth, 1/28/2014 -
" Great memoir/bio. Nice complement to The Wire. "
— David, 1/26/2014 -
" I got to hear the author speak at a health symposium recently, discussing the social determinants of health. In his book, he tells both his own story of growing up in both inner city Baltimore and the rough side of the Bronx; and of another young man with the same name, from the same neighborhood whose life turned out wholly different. It was a very good read, engaging and compelling. But he was an even better speaker. "
— Peg, 1/19/2014 -
" Fascinating story. provided much food for thought about how we all have the power to influence lives for good and bad. It is a tragic story and should be required reading for every politician, leader, teacher, and social worker. "
— Cara, 1/17/2014 -
" I think it was a good book but I was dissapointed in the other Wes Moore's choice to start selling drugs again and getting arrested risking the safety of his family. He had kids to support and he went back to the street life knowing the consequences of getting caught. I wanted the other Wes Moore to turn his life around from a rough childhood into someone successfull as The Wes Moore who was able to meet the Mayor of Baltimore ! "
— Brandon, 1/1/2014 -
" Over and over the author Wes shows how others helped and influenced him in positive ways...and how the other Wes had only limited expectations from those around him. Interesting. "
— Suzanne, 12/29/2013 -
" I had really high expectations and came away more than a little disappointed. "
— Dawn, 12/26/2013 -
" Was hoping for more insight, reflection, something. In the end, the only difference between the two Wes Moore's was access to education, and money. These aren't shocking revelations. Just the same sad American story told in a mediocre way. The hook of two Wes Moore's isn't enough to overcome that. "
— Aaron, 12/24/2013 -
" I liked this book. I read a paperback. It was interesting as it spoke directly to what it takes to make it out of the hood. (including luck) "
— Laura, 12/10/2013 -
" I found both stories interesting - the "other Wes Moore" is currently living his tragic ending while the author is "happily ever after." It didn't seem like that much of a mystery why the author succeeded in life, but I still found it fascinating. "
— Dana, 12/3/2013 -
" The book was terrifically well written and gripping at times. Very educational and quite the conversation piece. I would recommend it to anyone contemplating inner-city kids lives and how some outcomes happen. "
— Dave, 11/28/2013 -
" this book was amazing, a great view into what it is like to grow up in poverty and exposed to drug culture....and how with luck and resources one could get out...inspring but shows how difficult it is to make opportunities for these children to really make a difference and change the culture "
— Andrea, 11/14/2013 -
" It was a very interesting and engaging look comparing to boys from similar backgrounds and the choices they made that helped to determine their fates. I liked it, but have yet to discuss it with anyone. It is certainly a book that lends to discussion. "
— Jane, 9/28/2013 -
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John Sprague, 9/27/2013
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" Such an interesting story, but I wasn't impressed by the author's writing style, and never felt a connection to any of the subjects in the book. I think it was just too short and didn't give enough detail to really tell the story at a compelling level, at least for me. "
— Janice, 8/22/2013 -
" I reviewed The Other Wes Moore here. "
— Salem, 10/19/2012 -
" I thought the book was well organized, included a great message, and kept me interested throughout the whole novel! "
— Ricky, 8/21/2012 -
" I keep thinking back on this compelling real-life story (two stories, really) and its lessons/societal implications, including what it says about family, parenting, education and my hometown of Baltimore. "
— Jamie, 4/5/2012 -
" This book had an interesting premise and was well-written, and I guess I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't enough about the other Wes Moore to really make a determination about where their lives changed paths. "
— Nikki, 3/15/2012 -
" I thought this book was well written, and the parallel lifes of these two is fascinating. These are tough streets. I do not know if the premise is true, that one life could have become the other, though. The author Wes seems unusually talented to me. "
— Joant, 12/8/2011 -
" Good read - the question still remains: Nature vs. nurture? "
— Nancy, 11/29/2011 -
" A very interesting contrast of two lives- similar but so different. I found it an easy read but very thought provoking about what makes the difference in a person's life. "
— Mary, 9/27/2011 -
" I really liked how that both Weses made simaliar mistakes and tried to fix their lives. In one Wes's case the situation was fixed by school and the other wasn't fixed. Both Weses collaborated to write this book and every chapter starts with a piece of their conversations, which I really liked. "
— Cece, 9/10/2011 -
" Nature vs. nurture at its finest! 2 different stories about 2 very different men with the same name and same neighborhood (nearly). "
— Aimee, 9/1/2011 -
" This book was definitely worth the read. I enjoyed the storyline. And even while he was portraying the lives of two different people, I never got lost. If you haven't read this, definitely try it. You won't be disappointing. "
— Kiera, 8/27/2011 -
" kind of anti climactic but interesting commentary on the America's black inner city youth "
— Jennie, 5/15/2011 -
" Really liked this book. Thought provoking story about 2 guys that end up in very different places, that started in very similar places. I think all teenage boys should have to read this book. "
— Julie, 5/10/2011 -
" Really interesting and very eye-opening. Ending a bit abruptly. I would've like to have learned more about the author's life today. But a powerful read. "
— Anna, 5/4/2011 -
" I like this book but I don't feel that their lives were all that similar. True they both grew up without their father but one had a very strong support system while the other did not. "
— Coralee, 5/3/2011 -
" A okay book as a sociological study. I thought I would like it moore (no pun intended). "
— Andrew, 5/1/2011 -
" This guy is totally running for President some day. I may vote for him. "
— KJ, 4/25/2011 -
" This book had an interesting premise and was well-written, and I guess I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't enough about the other Wes Moore to really make a determination about where their lives changed paths. "
— Nikki, 4/24/2011 -
" Another one that makes you think. "
— Amy, 4/19/2011
About Wes Moore
Wes Moore is a Rhodes Scholar, a combat veteran of Afghanistan, and has worked as a special assistant to Secretary Condoleezza Rice at the State Department as a White House fellow. He was a featured speaker at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, named one of Ebony magazine’s “Top Thirty Leaders Under Thirty,” and was recently dubbed one of the top young business leaders in America by Crain’s. He lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.