Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Other Wes Moore
The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates | Wes Moore
BONUS: This edition contains a new afterword and a The Other Wes Moore discussion guide. The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his. Two kids named Wes Moore were born blocks apart within a year of each other. Both grew up fatherless in similar Baltimore neighborhoods and had difficult childhoods; both hung out on street corners with their crews; both ran into trouble with the police. How, then, did one grow up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader, while the other ended up a convicted murderer serving a life sentence? Wes Moore, the author of this fascinating book, sets out to answer this profound question. In alternating 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.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
Acoleman
post image
Mehso-so

I wanted this to be more. It was an interesting biography/ autobiography of two men with the same name and growing up in similar circumstances. But it he doesn‘t hypothesize or comment on why one ends up a Rhode scholar and the other in prison.

blurb
Susanita
post image

I‘m a little verklempt

TheBookHippie Same!!! 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 1y
vlwelser 1y
wanderinglynn 🎉👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️ 1y
See All 8 Comments
AmyG 🙌🏻❤️ 1y
HOTPock3tt ❤️ 1y
Leftcoastzen Wonderful!👏👍 1y
marleed Yeah!! 1y
DivineDiana Great interview with him on the TV show “ Sunday Morning”! 1y
42 likes1 stack add8 comments
review
JacintaMCarter
post image
Pickpick

#2022Book114
This book does a great job showing how much of an effect the choices you make and the support system you have around you have on the person you ultimately become.

Suet624 I keep wanting to read this. 1y
CoffeeNBooks I used to read this book in my 12th grade English class- they loved it. 1y
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
LatrelWhite
post image

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.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ He is the Governor-elect of Maryland

Kristin_Reads I read this years ago and it‘s stuck with me. He is now a Governor(-elect)! (edited) 1y
LatrelWhite @Kristin_Reads Yes he is the Governor-elect of Maryland. I remembered this book some years ago but read it this because of his win. 1y
16 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Christine
post image
Pickpick

This has been on my TBR forever, but Moore's victory in the MD governor election last week finally got me to pick it up! I can see why this book is loved by many - heartbreaking/inspiring parallel stories, well-written and thoughtfully told. I'm really interested in reading his follow-up The Work now, both to see what happened in the next parts of his life and also to learn if/how his perspectives grew/changed over time. (This was great on audio.)

sarahbarnes I loved this one, too! He spoke at my org‘s annual fundraiser a few years ago and I was so excited to see his win! 1y
Christine @sarahbarnes Very cool - bet he gave a great speech! 1y
44 likes1 stack add2 comments
quote
SqueakyChu
post image

This book is so absorbing. It makes me feel as if I really need to pay more attention to the many small things that can affect the life of an individual. I‘m reading this book to learn more about the author who just won the #Democratic primary election for governor of #Maryland, although this biography is actually about two different individuals, both named Wes Moore.

SqueakyChu Yay! Wes Moore is now Maryland‘s governor-elect! 1y
4 likes1 comment
blurb
SqueakyChu
post image

As you can see, I got this book from #BookCrossing. I‘d never heard of Wes Moore until he recently ran and won in the #Democratic primary #elections as candidate for #Governor of #Maryland. I want to learn more about him before it‘s time here for the general elections so I was happy to get hold of this book.

SqueakyChu He won! He is now Maryland‘s governor-elect. 👍 (edited) 1y
SqueakyChu He is now Maryland‘s Governor! 😊 1y
8 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Amandakay
Pickpick

💜💜💜💜

blurb
alisiakae
post image

1. It‘s been a few years since I read the tagged book, and I probably wouldn‘t have read it if it wasn‘t for my book club!

2. I think Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters would make an excellent book club pick. There is lots of themes ripe for discussion.

#Two4Tuesday

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 😊 3y
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
lanecannon
post image
Pickpick

Fascinating story of two people who grew up in the same area with the same name

review
Loveforlit2
post image
Pickpick

What made the difference? Two boys with the same name growing up in the same neighborhood who lived two different lives in the end. The true story explores the power of circumstance and the importance of mentors.

blurb
Ashley_Nicoletto
post image

Lunch time sunshine reads. ☀️

review
marleed
post image
Pickpick

After seeing Oprah interview Wes Moore, I pushed this book to the top of my TBR. If you‘ve recently read Just Mercy, I recommend this is a complimentary read.

“The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his.” Wes Moore

#ReadTheUSA2020 Maryland

TheBookHippie It‘s soooo good I‘m so glad it‘s getting a push to be read again. 4y
marleed @TheBookHippie I agree. I‘m so glad I finally read it. I wish I could say the message felt dated, but unfortunately it could have been written this year. 4y
TheBookHippie @marleed my everyday mentoring - not much has changed and now as a bonus hatred is given with permission from the highest office in the land. 4y
73 likes3 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Samara_Kipnis
post image

Well, this is eerie.

review
AmberWB
post image
Pickpick

I am so glad I finally read this one. I see so much of my students in both Weses (sp?). By the time most of my kids make it to 9th grade, they are at a fork in the road that will determine the rest of their lives. I wish I could make this mandatory reading for every person in my building- kids and adults. I think this is an important read for everyone.

TheBookHippie I loved this read. 4y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Amiable
Pickpick

A memoir about two African–American boys with the same name from the same city. One of them became a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. It's told in alternating chapters of each boy‘s childhood, schooling, family situations. It‘s a story of choices and what we make of what we are given. What decisions do we make that lead us down a path with no return?

42 likes1 stack add
review
JenReadsAlot
post image
Pickpick

Well written book on how 2 men with the same name in the same neighborhood lead different lives.
#nfnov
@Clwojick @rsteve388

rsteve388 6 pts 4y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
JenReadsAlot
post image

My first pick for #NFnov
Had this one for ages!
@Clwojick @rsteve388

rsteve388 Exciting Start! 1 pt 4y
Clwojick Oh, I liked this one. 4y
13 likes2 comments
review
Well-ReadNeck
post image
Pickpick

A good memoir about two men who share a name and similarities in their upbringing and the very different results. #audiobook

marleed Oh I just watched the other Wes Moore in an Oprah morning interview. He‘s an impressive man. 4y
66 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
saltwaterlit
post image

Next up in audiobook land! I‘m desperate for more time to read actual books with my eyes but I‘m busy so at least I have time for audiobooks! The problem is I only really like non-fiction audiobooks. So I‘ve been reading a lot of non-fiction but I miss novels so much. This week my goal is to put down my phone before bed and try to read a novel instead. I‘ll keep you posted on that 😬

2 likes1 stack add
review
WriterAtHeart
post image
Pickpick

"The Other Wes Moore" is about 2 men who grew up in the same neighborhood, with the same name, even though the 2 boys never met. The book follows how both of their lives took 2 very different paths and how the author could have ended up in the same place. Engaging read and one I highly reccommend!

45 likes2 stack adds
quote
keithmalek
post image

KT1432 So sad. I've been putting off reading this one for years! 5y
14 likes1 comment
quote
keithmalek

The words of the author Samuel Beckett summarize the central message of this text: "Try again. Fail again. Fail better." In fact, I believe that this describes the ebb and flow of life itself--try again, fail again, fail better. Failing doesn't make us a failure. But not trying to do better, to be better, does make us fools.

--Tavis Smiley, in the afterword

review
keithmalek
Mehso-so

The writing is VERY good. However, the stories in this book are neither unique or surprising, and while exploring the question of why the other Wes Moore is in prison, the author disappointingly seems too ashamed to point out what is glaringly obvious: he's in prison due to laziness.

review
Serena5
Pickpick

Loved this book. The writing was good, but the story itself wouldn‘t let go.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 📖💙 5y
CoffeeNBooks Great book! I'm teaching this in my English classes right now- my students always like this book! 5y
CoffeeNBooks And welcome to Litsy! 📚😊 5y
See All 6 Comments
Leftcoastzen Welcome to Litsy! 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🌷 5y
5 likes6 comments
blurb
CoffeeNBooks
post image

"The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his. " -Wes Moore

We started reading this in my English classes today. My students always really like this sad but thought-provoking book. It's the true story of two young men named Wes Moore, who grew up at the same time and in the same city in the 90s. They don't know eachother until they've taken very different paths in life.

Ejensen86 I just finished this a month ago - what a good and thought provoking read! 5y
Cortg We read this for book club last year. Loved it! 5y
sarahbarnes I love that you teach this book! He spoke at my org‘s event a few years ago and was amazing. Such a great book! 5y
106 likes9 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Jbakesmcgee3
post image

Reading in urgent care, bae cut his finger on broken glass 😑

BookishMarginalia Ouch! Hope all is ok! 5y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
tjwill
post image

I got these two very different memoirs from Audible‘s 2-for-1 sale. Both are read by the author, which I love for memoirs.

54 likes1 comment
review
squirrelbrain
post image
Pickpick

A tale of two people with the same name who started life in a similar way but ended up in very different places. Although the blurb says that the author tries to explain how this happened, I don‘t think he did, or certainly not in a ‘preachy‘ way. He leaves the reader to their own conclusions but, goodness me, you want to shout at some of the decisions made and pathways followed by the ‘other‘ Wes Moore and his friends and family. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

73 likes2 stack adds
review
alijzaidi
post image
Pickpick

Great book really get to see how a persons situation growing up can have so much affect on them throughout their life. It also shows a lot about the difference we place on education depending on a persons economic standings.

blurb
GoldenGirl

June was a slow reading month for me. Between work (it was county fair time) and just not reading anything that captured my attention, I didnt get very far in my reading.

Still reading book 4 of GoT and the 1st book of The Gunslinger. Started reading The Other Wes Moore and The Man From the Train. Both are really good and have brought me out of my slump.

Here's to a better July! #readharder

blurb
CoffeeNBooks
post image

This book is amazing! It's very engaging, my students always really like it, and it leads to a tremendous amount of discussion. It's about two young men, both named Wes Moore, who grew up in the same community but didn't know each other. One became a Rhodes Scholar, the other ended up in prison for murder. The book starts by telling the reader this information, then proceeds to explain how it happened.
@TheFunkyBookworm #YAWednesday #nonfiction

Prairiegirl_reading Sounds fascinating. 6y
TheFunkyBookworm Oh this sounds like a MUST READ! 6y
CoffeeNBooks @TheFunkyBookworm My Principal and Assistant Principal both read it as soon as it arrived after they ordered it for my classes, and finished reading it within a matter of days. My AP always comes in and talks to my classes about life circumstances, choices, responsibilities, and consequences while we're reading this. It's such a powerful and engaging book!! I read it several years ago, and knew I had to include it in my curriculum! 6y
See All 6 Comments
CrowCAH My older sister recently read this with her book club. She wasn‘t thrilled with it. 6y
CoffeeNBooks @CrowCAH Really? Why not? 6y
CrowCAH @CoffeeNBooks I think it “just wasn‘t for her”, didn‘t grab her. 6y
91 likes8 stack adds6 comments
review
Cortg
post image
Pickpick

This is our next book club book and it will make a great discussion! I decided to listen to it on audio and I thought it was fantastic! Two men with the same name, born in the same city with two VERY different outcomes in life. Moore narrates the book and he was great; sounded more like a telling than a reading. I also enjoyed hearing about places I‘m familiar with living in the Baltimore burbs.

Samplergal I enjoyed it as well. It‘s always fun to read about “home”. 6y
Cortg @Samplergal The litsy love is low for this but I thought it was great! 6y
30 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Tamra
post image
Mehso-so

Two AA boys, same name, generation, & urban challenges, but their adult lives take divergent paths. The ultimate question is why. I won‘t give it away, but I will say Wes isn‘t certain, though he has some ideas. Ultimately I think this would have been better as a less detailed essay because it‘s predictable and I can‘t recommend his narration. There are some startling stats, facts, and events that give the reader pause for thought.

84 likes1 stack add
blurb
Cconnolly
post image

Instead of walking on my lunch break, I walked at Goodwill! Got a couple of hardcover Nicholas Sparks for my daughter. The rest will have to go on my TBR list!

gracemom I‘ve heard such good things about The Other Wes Moore! 6y
Becker Read and really enjoyed Prince of Tides. Happy reading 📖 6y
42 likes2 comments
quote
Jess7
post image

🛑 Kindle Deal Alert 🛑 #TheOtherWesMoore is only $2.99! This book was recommended at our #CincinnatiLitsyMeetUp yesterday and I can‘t wait to read it. It tells the story of “two kids named Wes Moore, born blocks apart within a year of each other. Both grew up fatherless and had difficult childhoods... So how did one grow up to be a Rhodes Scholar... while the other ended up a convicted murderer serving a life sentence?” #TBR #KindleDeal

Tamra Thanks for posting! 6y
Jess7 You‘re welcome! @Tamra - if you read it - definitely let me know your thoughts 💙 6y
Tamra @Jess7 I found the audio on Overdrive and put a hold on it. 😊 6y
See All 8 Comments
Jess7 Great @Tamra I can‘t remember which of my fellow Cincinnatians recommended it yesterday, but I know @Chelleo recently read it and liked it a lot. (edited) 6y
alisiakae This is a really great book! 6y
Tamra Yay, I‘m excited about it! 6y
Pamwurtzler Thanks, I‘ll have to grab that one! 6y
LeshaMac Thanks @Jess7 ! 6y
103 likes6 stack adds8 comments
review
Chelleo
post image
Pickpick

This was my school‘s common read a few years back but I‘m just getting around to reading it. Very interesting take of how two men with the same name ending up on two very different life paths. This is something that I think about often. I didn‘t come from much but was fortunate enough to stay out of trouble and harm‘s way. Many friends weren‘t so lucky. I‘ll never know how much was luck, destiny, hard work, or the stars aligning.

amvs1111 Enjoyed reading this during my year living in Baltimore 6y
Cortg Yay! This is my book club book for April so I‘ll be reading it next month. It sounds intriguing.! 6y
Eggs I know that strong mother figures play a huge role, but it's still a complex dynamic of why one became successful and one chose a life of crime 6y
ptkpepe98 If you ever get a chance to hear him, go. He is really inspiring and has a great sense of purpose. 6y
minkyb Thank you for bringing this to my attention! 6y
105 likes6 stack adds5 comments
blurb
Chelleo
post image

Latest #audiobook hold came in today. This our college‘s campus read a few years back but I‘m just getting to it. Off to a great start. Shame on me for waiting so long to read it.

MoniqueReads305 I read this a couple of years ago. I really enjoyed it. 6y
Chelleo @MoniqueReads305 Good to hear! 6y
tapgurl Assigned reading in the school where I work:) 6y
Eggs Just finished it yesterday, so good 6y
96 likes4 stack adds4 comments
review
Eggs
post image
Pickpick

"The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his."

76 likes4 stack adds1 comment
blurb
DHill
post image

#riotgrams Day 10. Book and a beverage. Enjoying some cocoa this cold and snowy evening.

43 likes2 stack adds
blurb
DHill
post image

1. Hope my fur babies help you feel a little better @TricksyTails Yeta on the left, Bella on the right sending cuddles your way.
2. iPhone
3. No nuts
4. Tagged book-two boys with the same name born a year apart, and living a few blocks apart, grow up to lead very different lives. Not far enough in to not recommend but the writing style has made for a slow start.
5. Basketball
#LetsMakeTricksySmile #tricksytails #humpdaypost

TricksyTails EEEEEEEE! Yeta and Bella are so adorable!! 😍🐶🐶 Thank you for sharing their photos and brightening my day!! 🤗 6y
DHill I‘m so happy they helped. Hope your days have been better. 😊 6y
30 likes2 comments
blurb
DHill
post image
32 likes1 stack add
blurb
DHill
post image

Starting this now. I‘ve had it on my TBR for a long time.

JenReadsAlot Me too! 6y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Kathrin
post image
Mehso-so

This might sound odd, but the book reminds me of Hillbilly Elegy and I am similarly underwhelmed. The author has an interesting life story, but I don‘t think that these two man had much in common beyond their shared name, therefore trying to compare the two life‘s outcome as random doesn‘t make sense to me.

16 likes1 stack add
review
auntie_jenn
post image
Pickpick

what a thrill to host Wes Moore as our Common Read author for the UMass Amherst class of 2022.

15 likes1 stack add
review
Wife
post image
Mehso-so

I heard a radio bit on this book years ago. I finally read it and am underwhelmed. The true story of two boys from same neighborhood and with same name... one incredibly successful and one serving a life sentence. The author had the advantages of a supportive mother/grandparents and military school...so really, less in common than the book synopsis indicated. My first pull from my TBR jar 🙂 #LitsyAtoZ

blurb
moraghastie_author
post image

55 likes2 stack adds
review
PacingTheCage
post image
Pickpick

Wow! Great book.

6 likes1 stack add
review
goodbyefrancie
Mehso-so

I was really looking forward to this book, and it's been on my TBR for a long time. I think I'm on the fence with it. Parts of it came off, to me, as a big pat on the back for the author. I think an opportunity was missed. I'm a 'root cause' person...what is the reason and what can we do, even in small ways, to help change it? I didn't see any of that. I'm honestly not sure what I hoped to get out of It, but it didn't happen. Just so/so.