The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

Book came in perfect shape and good packaging. Now what was in the book was truly amazing. As a life long Marylander I wanted to know more about Governor Moores story and this didn’t disappoint. I read it in less than 24 hours, from the time I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. So many lessons to learn from 2 lives. This is a book I’ll tell my future children to read. If you’re thinking about getting it, please do!

This book was well written, it was compelling to read. It was very clear which Wes Moore the story was about throughout the book. I like to not having to figure that out.

Having grown up in a major inner city & living in the suburbs I have seen both sides of the fence, as this book talks about with 2 different men. The fact that some reviews on here state that it's apparent from the beginning how each Wes is going to end up is simply wrong. Young people need to understand that they can steer their life in the direction that they want to go. The Wes that ended up in prison, in my opinion, did not need to go down that road just because his dad wasn't around & he had a drug dealer for a brother. He chose to make selling drugs his decision in order to get immediate gratification, buuying the fancy sneakers, etc.The 'prison' Wes had opportunities to change his life & some were willing to help him, he just didn't accept that change & couldn't foresee that he could become something more, regardless of his environment.Though the book did seem like an experiment on behalf of the author (he uses it for sociology classes you learn at the end of the book), I still thought it could be helpful in teaching young people that they need to strive for bigger things in life and not get caught up in the 'street' life & immediate gratification (i.e. quick money, fancy clothes,etc) in the short-term. Everyone has to work for things in life, and nothing comes easy.I don't think it's right that some reviewers on here are stereotyping children as - 'well, he grew up in a fatherless household, so he's going to turn out bad' or 'well, he comes from a good family, so naturally he's going to become something someday' both of those stereotypes are wrong & spoken from those who haven't lived on both sides of the fence. People are people & children are affected by influences in their lives. I know plenty of children that came from good homes that did drugs behind their rich, educated mom & dad's backs. And I know of children that came from broken homes where the mom did drugs that managed to go off to college & becoming something other than a drug dealer. The problem is society & the fact that no one is given a chance in this world - the only person you have to count on is yourself - and that is what I never got out of the book: how the 'good' Wes moved his life in the direction he wanted; what motivated him. Rather, I thought it focused too much on the 'bad'/prison Wes & how his life was so crappy & reminiscent of 'Boyz in the Hood'. Overall though, it was an interesting read.

Have you ever encountered a book that truly changes your life? For me, this is that book. As an instructor working with incarcerated individuals seeking their High School Equivalency, I can attest to the profound impact Wes Moore's words have had on thousands behind bars. Each time I revisit this book, it gives me pause and deep reflection. I pull the quote by the current Governor of Maryland from my now worn copy, “But even the worst decisions we make don't necessarily remove us from the circle of humanity.” This book is essential reading for anyone seeking a second chance, as it powerfully illustrates the impact of our choices. It belongs in every High School Social Studies classroom and ELA circle.

About five weeks ago, I attended a "Building Leaders" conference in Richmond, where I was able to hear Wes Moore speak about his book and the major lessons he has learned in his lifetime. Wes was one of the most charismatic and intriguing speakers I have ever seen, so it was not surprising that I was simply unable to put his book down. Throughout the entire book, I was consistently engaged in his thought-provoking anecdotes and moving stories of the crime and violence prevalent in inner-city neighborhoods. Most importantly, though, he caused me to step back and re-evaluate the way I view the privileges I have and opportunities I am presented with every day.The way that "The Other Wes Moore" is set up is for the purpose of slowly building up to the final and crucial points he wishes to make, which I will mention later on. He opens up in his introduction discussing the basis for his book: how he came from a poor, rough background living on the streets of Baltimore and the Bronx, but with the support of his mother and others advocating for a brighter future for him, he eventually graduated from Valley Forge military academy, John Hopkins University and graduate school at Oxford University with the prestigious acknowledgement as a Rhodes Scholar and became a second lieutenant in the Army in Afghanistan. In contrast, there was another Wes Moore who similarly grew up not far from where he used to live in Baltimore and lived a troubled teenage life, but ended up getting in deeper trouble and serving a life sentence in prison for robbery and first-degree murder charges. The rest of the book was spent switching back and forth between both Weses, telling stories about their childhoods and the major determining events that led up to their fates--one as a prisoner, and one as a successful journalist, father, and social figure. He ended the book with discussing how to pinpoint where both Weses split in their fork in the road and managed to end up in completely different places--this part is what troubled me the most--and closed with a "Call to Action" section, with lists of organizations and ways to help better the future of our country's youth.Moore's conclusion on what exactly split both Weses' fates was not what the reader wants to hear, and he probably realizes that. He gave a similar answer at both the conference and in his book: that he just doesn't know. At that point, I had to pause and set down my Kindle out of utter shock. How is it that we can't figure out a single driving force that leads to success or failure? And how can we sit back and allow this world of drug, crime, and violence to continue without knowing how to guide it in the right direction? Now, I will give the author this: he breaks down the complex system of the drug activity in cities for us from the runners, hitters, and suppliers, to the game of hiding from parents and "jakes" (police), to the big money and high-profile, violent deals. It becomes obvious how easy it is to get sucked into, and seemingly impossible to get out of. But the author did, so why couldn't the other Wes Moore?Now I won't ruin the book, because it is so worth reading that you need to experience the deep stories and important narratives from reading it first-hand. However, I need to make sure that you realize the true point to his book before delving into it, which I have noticed many other reviews have confused. It is not to tell us exactly how to move the youth towards success, point out the single deciding moment in which both men's paths diverged, or for the author to indulge on his success and scorn the other Wes Moore's decisions/ultimate failure. Instead, Wes Moore longs to make readers thankful for our privileges as Americans, learn to seize onto every opportunity we are presented with and not let one pass by because it could be the biggest improvement of our future, and to highlight ways that we can control ours and others' fates as self-motivators and mentors. Wes talks again and again about mentors, family, and friends he had in life that helped guided him in the right direction. He also notes the way he regained control over his future, instead of letting his low expectations or his environment determine it. As a reader, all you have to do is remember these important themes Wes includes in this book so that you enter with an open mindset and a heart ready to accept a powerful message.

I introduced this novel to my grade 12 class several years ago. Even my most reluctant readers devoured it!

This book was amazing. I really enjoyed reading it and told all my family what I'd read each time I saw them.

Eine bewegende Geschichte, die gute Einblicke in die traurige Realität vieler Afroamerikaner ermöglicht. Erfolg und Misserfolg liegen oft nah bei einander. Nicht jeder hat dieselben Voraussetzungen um ein glückliches Leben zu führen.

Reading it now! Love it but find the print a little smaller than usual!

Sehr gut erzählte Geschichte - fesselnd von der ersten Seite an! Das Buch regt einen auf jeden Fall zum nachdenken an....