Miseducated

A Memoir

De: Brandon P. Fleming, Cornel West - introduction

Narrado por: Brandon P. Fleming, Landon Woodson

An inspiring memoir of one man’s transformation from a delinquent, drug-dealing dropout to an award-winning Harvard educator through literature and debate—all by the age of twenty-seven.

Brandon P. Fleming grew up in an abusive home and was shuffled through school, his passing grades a nod to his skill on the basketball court, not his presence in the classroom. He turned to the streets and drug deals by fourteen, saved only by the dream of basketball stardom.

When he suffered a career-ending injury during his first semester at a Division I school, he dropped out of college, toiling on an assembly line, until depression drove him to the edge. Miraculously, his life was spared.

Returning to college, Fleming was determined to reinvent himself as a scholar—to replace illiteracy with mastery over language, to go from being ignored and unseen to commanding attention. He immersed himself in the work of Black thinkers from the Harlem Renaissance to present day. Crucially, he found debate, which became the means by which he transformed his life and the tool he would use to transform the lives of others—teaching underserved kids to be intrusive in places that are not inclusive, eventually at Harvard University, where he would make champions and history.

Through his personal narrative, readers witness Fleming’s transformation, self-education, and how he takes what he learns about words and power to help others like himself. Miseducated is an honest memoir about resilience, visibility, role models, and overcoming all expectations.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Miseducated is a stunningly crafted book exploring the radical possibilities of what happens when a Black child who ‘hates’ school finds the language, tones, and practice to contextualize and precisely state why he rightfully resents the parts of American formal education system that hated him. In that way, the book is not so much about a prelapsarian kind of renewal, but a full hearted conjuring of an equitable future. I learned how to learn and how to teach again in Miseducated. This is breathtaking art and heart work.”—Kiese Laymon, New York Times bestselling author of Heavy: An American Memoir

"Miseducated touched my soul. From the very first sentence to the last, I was riveted. Only one other book has affected my soul so profoundly. It was my great-great grandfather’s Narrative – and, fatefully, the book that happened to change Brandon’s life."

—Nettie Washington Douglass, great-great granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington, Cofounder & Chairwoman of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives

"Though we frequently hear about the disproportionate numbers of Black boys and men who struggle in school and experience incarceration, narratives that provide perspective-shifting insight into the beautiful humanity of these boys and men are few and far between. It is impossible to read this book and not come away with a combination of fury over the oppressive systems that miseducate, and faith in the power and resilience of the human spirit to overcome. Miseducated is vital reading as we fight our way to a more equitable world."—Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin

"Despite seemingly insurmountable barriers standing in his way, Brandon P. Fleming reinvented himself in similar ways as the Black scholars who shaped him. Frederick Douglass, beginning his quest for literacy, 'set out with high hope, and a fixed purpose, at whatever cost of trouble,' and Fleming, consciously continuing Douglass’s tradition in Black autobiography, likewise set out to learn and eventually teach and inspire a new generation of black thinkers. Inspiring, heartbreaking and gripping, Miseducated is pure motivation."

—Tripp Rebrovick, PhD, Director of Debate, Harvard University

Profound and stirring if you have walked in these shoes, and especially if you haven’t

This book will inspire you. It will resuscitate your gratitude. It will give you insight to facets of life you may not have experienced. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

A must read for all educators

The books gets to the root of educating our children of having to live them before you can teach them. Great read!

A MUST READ!

This memoir speaks to the enormous resilience of the human spirit and the possibilities of what one can accomplish when he/she has a determined heart. Not only did Brandon save himself, he saved a generation. He was able to help "At Risk" children (I HATE that description) accomplish the impossible. We need so many more Mr. Flemings to step up. I realize that not everyone has the skills that Mr. Fleming had. However, if you don't have those skills, please find someone who does, and direct your child, or children that you know, to his program. So heartwarming! This is a MUST READ! It clearly demonstrates what the power of love and intention can accomplish. Well done, Mr. Fleming! So proud of you and your scholars!

Compelling!

One of the most honest and profound books I have ever read. A must read for educators, students and would bring about valuable discussion in classroom around the country!

A breath of Fresh Air

This is one of the most impactful and infectious intellectual works I have ever read. He touched places that I did not know I would ever feel again and it was okay to feel that pain. Amazing work and I hope to meet the man one day.

All the things I envisioned and more

Amazing performance by the Author. You felt his story and all of his feelings through his life. A beautifully written tear jerker and triumphant story! This book touched my heart and my soul and gave me encouragement in a new light!
Thank you for sharing your story!

Couldn't put it down. Dramatic and inspiring!!!

I cannot recall a book in recent memory with so many "chill" moments. A chill moment happens when a  passage or event sends chills through you.

Miseducated has so many electrifying moments that it left me vibrating when I finished it.

It's beginning is raw. Not raw in terms of the writing not being polished but the absolutely gritty descriptions and language used puts you square in the midst of situations that hit you in the gut.

A lot of it isn't pretty but the lows add depth, feeling, and meaning to the highs and there are plenty of lows and both kinds of highs.

It's life at the extremes.

After reading Miseducated, every parent is going to ask, "How can I get my kid in his class?" and every student who wants to go to the top is going to beg their parents to move to Atlanta.

This is a spellbinder, action packed and it feels more like a superhero narrative than something from an academician.

Also, it's unusual for an author to read a dramatic book as good or better than a professional narrator. Fleming does.

You will definitely not regret this read. Well done!!!

Truly inspiring for everyone

This is a fabulous book. A truly inspirational life story that left me with incredible emotions at many times. As a 60-year-old white male, I know this story was not written for me, but I believe this is a fantastic story of overcoming hardship and adversity that anyone can enjoy. Highly recommend!

AnI inspiring book

love it. the author was burtley honest. I look forward to reading another book by this author.

So good!

I loved every minute of this book. Brandon Fleming reading it makes it so powerful. Educators should all read this book!