A Personal Odyssey

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the gritty, powerful story of Thomas Sowell's life-long education in the school of hard knocks, a journey that 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 impressions on 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. More than an account of Sowell's life, this is also the story of 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 itself, with all its exhilaration, pain, constant striving, and deserved success.

©2000 Thomas Sowell (P)2001 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Offered a job simply because he was a black man, he turned it down and said why. Despite this righteousness, he has retained a sense of humor....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)

The book is outstanding! The narrator is NOT.

I was hooked to this book when I started it. Sowell offers us a glimpse of the events that shaped his life and his status as a black conservative intellectual. He truly stands heads and shoulders above so many so called intellectuals, primarily because of practical experience he gained through out his life. This is truly an inspiring story.

My chief complaint is the narrator of this story. He reads it with all the emotion of a bad news anchor - that is to say no emotion whatsoever. His voice lacks any of the introspective qualities of the book itself, that it almost robs the listener of the sense that this is personal odyssey. Instead, it sounds as though the author is writing with no emotion whatsoever, even when describing deeply personal moments. I would strongly recommend passing on this audiobook and insteading purchasing the text from Amazon.

Truth can be found in this world

Mr. Sowell’s story is informative, honest, and compelling. Despite his poor beginning and lengthy endeavors to educate himself, his strong moral resolve and loving family members helped him to become a light into a confused and wicked plan to bring socialism to America. Listen to this book, hear what is said, enjoy the story, learn history, and ask yourself what can I take away from this book to inform my ideals.

Thomas Sowell: A National Treasure

A tremendous autobiography from a man we knew little of privately. I found it very enlightening that he laid out the fall of academia he had to endure due to his stance on politics of the time. Journalists that abandoned facts in pursuit of aligning their story with their politics has been an issue for decades. it's just so much more apparent with Big Tech holding the reins.

Good narration too.

Sobering, thoughtful, and enriching!

I have read and loved many of Thomas Sowell writings through the years. I can only compare his intellect to that of Lincoln. Anytime I am reading something from Sowell, Lincoln comes to mind.
I will now gladly purchase the book Maverick by Jason Riley for this has only whet my appetite for familiarity with this great American!

A good book about a great man

This book is a great read. The book points out that it’s not intended to be a biography, but instead, highlight parts of Dr Sowell’s life. It’s informative and interesting.
I would not make this my first book by Dr Sowell. Read Basic Economics or another of his books before reading this one. It will help you appreciate the man and his story. It did for me anyway.
My biggest critique would have to be that I would have preferred Dr Sowell read himself. Yet, the voice was pleasant and it was a good performance, not withstanding some awkward pauses. Overall, if you like Dr Sowell, you’ll enjoy this book.

absorbing!

I found this book utterly absorbing. Having read a few of his books, I was very intrigued to get a glimpse of Thomas Sowell, "the man". It was really enjoyable. The narration is good, and surprisingly, not far off the actual cadence of Thomas Sowell's speech mannerisms himself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes the autobiography genre as well as Mr.Sowell himself.

Some Thoughts

Exceptional life..........to me—-70 yr old white businessman. Thank you for telling UOUR story. I have read some of your published works and look forward to reading others. David Worsham

Best memoir ever.

I strongly recommend everyone to read and learn from this memoir.
It is guidance for all who are being oppressed anywhere in the world.

Great memoir, tough listening, bad editing.

Wonderful to get to know this man who by his writing on economics, race and culture fed my intellectual hunger for insights and ideas.
I really enjoyed the look into his life and times, also to see how a real intellectual acts and thinks. It’s all very fascinating and the memories have its warmth and sorrow and triumphs.
That being said the reader read to fast and the editing and the starts and stops really took me out of the flow far to often.
Wonderful book though, even with the issues.

Thomas Sowell the best man for the job

Thomas Sowell must have some more great stories that couldn't fit in this wonderful book! I wish I could sit in on one of his lectures, this book was so beautifully written.