Teacher Man

By: Frank McCourt

Narrated by: Frank McCourt

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Nearly a decade ago Frank McCourt became an unlikely star when, at the age of 66, he burst onto the literary scene with Angela's Ashes, the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland. Then came 'Tis, his glorious account of his early years in New York.

Now here at last, is McCourt's long-awaited audiobook about how his thirty-year teaching career shaped his second act as a writer. Teacher Man is also an urgent tribute to teachers everywhere. In bold and spirited prose featuring his irreverent wit and heartbreaking honesty, McCourt records the trials, triumphs, and surprises he faces in public high schools around New York City.

©2005 Green Peril Corp. (P)2005 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

• Winner of Audio Publishers Association 2007 Audie Award, Biography/Memoir

"Should be mandatory reading for every teacher in America. And it wouldn't hurt some politicians to read it, too." (Publishers Weekly)
"Teacher Man is an irresistible valedictory, about a man finding his voice in the classroom, on the page and in his soul." (The New York Times)

Teacher Man

Often hilarious and some very moving stories of the encounters of one teacher with the "system" and with students both willing and unwilling to sit in class. Frank McCourt's Irish accent made listening a great experience. I will always remember the rabbi's son whose only desire was to become a farmer, and the black girl who discovered that she was good enough to go to college. If I was a teacher, I think I would add a lesson based on his class writing excuse notes for some of history's baddies. What's more: this is a book I'll want to hear all the way through more than once.

Incomparable

Frank McCourt may seem "sweet" to the superficial reader, but he is tough, randy and profound. All three of his works are so rich they hold up well under many rereadings. This one is less a narrative than a plumbing of the vast depths of his love for teaching and for literature. Lovely and loving!

Not bad, I just didn't find it to be good.

Well spoken, even with the accent. Just didn't find the subject material to be that riveting.

I kind of felt like I spent my time with an accomplished person as he discussed the unremarkable things he did before he became accomplished.

Pete Fell Off A Wagon...Repeat

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If this book specifically suited what my friend was looking for, I would. It is still well written. It's a repetition of his last books, though. There's not a lot of new brought to the table. I liked the anecdotes about his students, but he talked way too much about his thoughts--and in a manner that was kind of stale. He has interesting teaching ideas, though.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I am listening to Gone, Girl by Gillian someone or other. Teacher Man did inspire me to read Freedom Writers. I'm just waiting for a library transfer.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Frank McCourt?

Yes I would! He has such a great and lively voice. Not distracting. Not dull.

What else would you have wanted to know about Frank McCourt’s life?

I would want to know if he ever married again, and to whom or why not; why was his mother so mean when she came to America, tell me more about his relationship with his daughter and younger brothers, how did he decide to write and how was his process for his first two books. Not all that should have been in depth in THIS particular book--actually--I think the only one relevant for this book would be the inquiries on his writing.

Any additional comments?

It's decent. Not my favorite of his books. It's got some very very slow parts. I almost couldn't wait for the book to end, but the ending of the book is interesting and well written.

Frank McCourt does not disappoint

How anyone can go through life never having read Frank McCourts books is beyond me. What's even better than reading his novels is listening to them! Frank McCourt's Limerick accent adds just that much more to his stories! I loved Angela's Ashes, I fell in love with "'Tis" and no surprise, I love "Teacher Man" as well.

Good story

What made the experience of listening to Teacher Man the most enjoyable?

The narrarator really made the book interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

The stories of Frank's classroom experiences.

What does Frank McCourt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His true thoughts and feelings come through his voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh.

A Teacher on Teacher Man

Many of the professional practices and personal behaviors described in this book will startle a new teacher or a non-teacher, but it was a different time and such things happened. The honesty is, all said and done, refreshingly authentic. Much of the material in this book is recycled from 'Tis, but the author only had one life to live, and he wasn't writing fiction. That it is read by the author, as were Angela's Ashes and 'Tis, earns this book a five-star rating. Mr. McCourt's voice is as smooth as a good Irish whisky. I will listen to this audiobook many times.

Gets down the 60/s 70's bronx school experience

Where does Teacher Man rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its the funniest most entertaining.

What other book might you compare Teacher Man to and why?

Rag mans son by Kirk Douglas. the honesty, ability to look and critic themselves without mercy the pain of there impoverished child hoods.

Have you listened to any of Frank McCourt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I will now

Any additional comments?

Was a student in Bronx public schools concurrent to Mr. McCourts career. He got it down on paper right up to the deft imitation he does of the Bronx accent no doubt retribution for his student mimicry of him. Although my divorce was in Dutchess 75 mi north of NYC. I can see the same ironic humor procured by the "Lass" & firm that handled my divorce, Shenanigans, Malarkey & Collusion.

Such a Good Listen

Every minute is engaging as the story and the author's own narration weave together...simply lovely.

Excellent book~

This book made me laugh out loud a few times. I really liked his story telling and his voice. He's a great reader. I've been a teacher for 22 years and would have a different approach to pedigogy, but that aside, I loved the book and recommend it higly.