• The Best Strangers in the World

  • Stories from a Life Spent Listening
  • By: Ari Shapiro
  • Narrated by: Ari Shapiro
  • Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (127 ratings)

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The Best Strangers in the World  By  cover art

The Best Strangers in the World

By: Ari Shapiro
Narrated by: Ari Shapiro
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Publisher's summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The Best Strangers in the World is a witty, poignant book that captures Ari Shapiro’s love for the unusual, his pursuit of the unexpected, and his delight at connection against the odds.”—Ronan Farrow, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and New York Times-bestselling author of Catch and Kill and War on Peace

From the beloved host of NPR's All Things Considered, a stirring memoir-in-essays that is also a lover letter to journalism.

In his first book, broadcaster Ari Shapiro takes us around the globe to reveal the stories behind narratives that are sometimes heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, but always poignant. He details his time traveling on Air Force One with President Obama, or following the path of Syrian refugees fleeing war, or learning from those fighting for social justice both at home and abroad.

As the self-reinforcing bubbles we live in become more impenetrable, Ari Shapiro keeps seeking ways to help people listen to one another; to find connection and commonality with those who may seem different; to remind us that, before religion, or nationality, or politics, we are all human. The Best Strangers in the World is a testament to one journalist’s passion for Considering All Things—and sharing what he finds with the rest of us.

©2023 Ari Shapiro (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Best Strangers in the World

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Couldn’t stop listening

Such a wonderfully crafted story weaving his life story with that of his experiences as a journalist around the world.

My favorite chapter centered around his time in London and his friendship with Rich Preston — you fully sense how much Ari loved him in a purely platonic way. Such a beautiful story.

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Just Wonderful

The book was exactly as wonderful as I expected from one of my favorite NPR journalists.

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A good way to pass time

I enjoyed this; nothing earth changing. I will say that Pink Flamingo is now on my playlist.

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Amazing experiences

A thoughtful gift for a hopeful future journalist. Thank you for sharing these incredible experiences.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Stories about sweating that aren’t funny

Love Ari on NPR but it was a chore finishing this. Nothing stands out and I was mostly bored. For being titled a life spent listening, i felt misled, since he talked mostly about himself. Which i get. But also wasn’t as interested in.

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Strangers No More

Delightful, insightful and a joy to listen to and get to know- a little-Ari Shapiro.

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Best Connections

I just LOVED this book!, Much more insightful connections, Community engagement, and relevant intentions woven throughout. Not just a collection of stories or memoir…

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So much more than I expected!

What a bonus that Ari narrated his touching and entertaining book; I felt like he was sitting with me the entire time. The breadth and depth of his writing pinged my heart several times as I laughed out loud and also had a lump in my throat as a reaction to his words. Definitely recommended reading!

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Listening to Ari’s stories is a delight

Funny, heartwarming and insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his stories and experiences. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook!

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10 out of 10

A compelling, entertaining, and insightful memoir with stories that will leave you wanting dozens more

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2 people found this helpful