Scenes from My Life

A Memoir

By: Michael K. Williams, Jon Sternfeld

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD • A “gripping, revelatory” (NPR) memoir of hard-won success, struggles with addiction, and a lifelong mission to give back—from the late iconic actor beloved for his roles in The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, and Lovecraft Country

“Williams’s cool rasp leaps off every page, his story told in the direct yet impassioned language that defined his greatest characters.”—Vulture

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, NPR, The Root

When Michael K. Williams died on September 6, 2021, he left behind a career as one of the most electrifying actors of his generation. From his star turn as Omar Little in The Wire to Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire to Emmy-nominated roles in HBO’s The Night Of and Lovecraft Country, Williams inhabited a slew of indelible roles that he portrayed with a rawness and vulnerability that leapt off the screen. Beyond the nominations and acclaim, Williams played characters who connected, whose humanity couldn’t be denied, whose stories were too often left out of the main narrative.

At the time of his death, Williams had nearly finished a memoir that tells the story of his past while looking to the future, a book that merges his life and his life’s work. Mike, as his friends knew him, was so much more than an actor. In Scenes from My Life, he traces his life in whole, from his childhood in East Flatbush and his early years as a dancer to his battles with addiction and the bar fight that left his face with his distinguishing scar. He was a committed Brooklyn resident and activist who dedicated his life to working with social justice organizations and his community, especially in helping at-risk youth find their voice and carve out their future. Williams worked to keep the spotlight on those he fought for and with, whom he believed in with his whole heart.

Imbued with poignance and raw honesty, Scenes from My Life is the story of a performer who gave his all to everything he did—in his own voice, in his own words, as only he could.

©2022 Michael K. Williams, Jon Sternfeld (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Williams’s cool rasp leaps off every page, his story told in the direct yet impassioned language that defined his greatest characters.”—Vulture

“Gripping, revelatory . . . Scenes from My Life tells a story which could have been a movie on its own.”—Eric Deggans, NPR

“Refreshingly straightforward . . . Scenes from My Life is an altogether superior memoir.”—The Washington Post

Awesome!!!

You never know how a person is living unless you walk in their shoes. I loved Mike in the “Wire “. I lived in Queens and married a guy from Brooklyn. I experienced the “Crack Epidemic “ thru family members. Parts of the book brought back memories. I’m a Caribbean woman who migrated to New York so I know the trials and tribulations. I’m so sad with the passing of Mike. He has gone too soon….

A true memoir

A raw and real telling of a man who died way too soon. I knew his work but I wasn’t very familiar with his story. Here we learn about the generational curse of substance abuse, the effects of absent parents, drugs and criminalizing an entire generation. From a child who was trying to find his place in the world under his mother’s harsh, stifling love to a young man who expressed himself through the arts while battling addiction to becoming an advocate for social reform.
I didn’t expect to be taken on such an amazing journey.

This story is a gift

Michael's story is at times haunting -- as if he and his mother understood his path. His life -- and the telling of it -- is such a beautiful gift.
I can't help but think of Mahalia Jackson's song:
If I can help somebody, as I travel along
If I can help somebody, with a word or song
If I can help somebody, from doing wrong
No, my living shall not be in vain

One of the best bios I’ve ever read rip Michael

This is such a selfless honest book it is making me think about what I can do myself to make a difference

Scenes from my life…

What an amazing life Michael K. Williams lived. Despite his many struggles, it is very clear that his heart was in the right place. Thank you for sharing your story.

Rest in peace.

Powerful and thoughtful

Michael K. Williams left us with not only an amazing acting career and work to better our communities but also this thoughtful work about his life and struggles.

I’m glad his co-author Jon Sternfeld was able to complete the memoir posthumously from their interviews.

Dion Graham is an excellent narrator as always.

Excellent

Loved it. Fantastic memoir. Very revealing and well done. Narrator brought the book to life, like I was in the conversation.

Beautifully told

I have always been a fan of Michael. Hearing what he was and has done for his community is enlightening. His story is beautifully told. His life was short but I hope his legacy will be long lived.

Fantastic!!!

Loved it is spoke to my heart on so many levels. may you RIP MKW.

Such a great book

Loved it so much❤️. I was not ready for the book to end. Go get yourself a copy.