The Other Wes Moore

By: Wes Moore, Tavis Smiley (afterword)

Narrated by: Wes Moore

Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Two kids with the same name lived in the same decaying city. One went on to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. Here is the story of two boys and the journey of a generation.

In December 2000, the Baltimore Sun ran a small piece about Wes Moore, a local student who had just received a Rhodes Scholarship. The same paper also ran a series of articles about four young men who had allegedly killed a police officer in a spectacularly botched armed robbery. The police were still hunting for two of the suspects who had gone on the lam, a pair of brothers. One was named Wes Moore.

Wes just couldn't shake off the unsettling coincidence, or the inkling that the two shared much more than space in the same newspaper. After following the story of the robbery, the manhunt, and the trial to its conclusion, he wrote a letter to the other Wes, now a convicted murderer serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. His letter tentatively asked the questions that had been haunting him: Who are you? How did this happen?

That letter led to a correspondence and relationship that has lasted for several years. Over dozens of letters and prison visits, Wes discovered that the other Wes had had a life not unlike his own: Both had grown up in similar neighborhoods and had had difficult childhoods, both were fatherless; they'd hung out on similar corners with similar crews, and both had run into trouble with the police. At each stage of their young lives, they had come across similar moments of decision, yet their choices would lead them to astonishingly different destinies.

Told in alternating dramatic narratives that take readers from heart-wrenching losses to moments of surprising redemption, The Other Wes Moore tells the story of a generation of boys trying to find their way in a hostile world.

©2010 Wes Moore (P)2010 Random House

Critic Reviews

"Moore writes with subtlety and insight about the plight of ghetto youth, viewing it from inside and out; he probes beneath the pathologies to reveal the pressures—poverty, a lack of prospects, the need to respond to violence with greater violence—that propelled the other Wes to his doom. The result is a moving exploration of roads not taken." ( Publishers Weekly)

Insightful lesson in self-determination

If you ever thought your life was written out in the stars, or that you were dealt a bad hand at birth due various reasons, reading this book should change your mind. You can be anything or anyone you want to be, with people around you who believe in you. That might be the most important part, that not only is your fate not written in stone at birth, but you have to listen to the role models around you in order to succeed. You might have to leave your present neighborhood because too many people do not have an interest in seeing you succeed. As a matter of fact, to the contrary, they might want to see you fail because "misery loves company." The same idea of writing your own ticket with your own self-adopted mentors is also described in the autobiography, I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher. It is a fabulous book written by an amazingly reflective young man. These two books should be required high school reading (especially in inner city or rural schools) along with the 7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens, and The Four Agreements.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great story for everyone !

this is a great story I highly recommend especially to young pople struggling to find themselves

So amazing!

This was an amazing book with such unique stories. The beat part is that Wes Moore does the narration. It makes it that much more enjoyable.

Buy my book!

I liked the story for the majority but it seemed to me like it was just a book campaign throwing down the other Wes Moore saying that through perseverance he succeeded when in actually he didn’t really do all that much, he just had the components for him to succeed and all I hear from the book is “Buy my book because now I’m successful” I’m not a huge fan, I would have rather heard the story from the other Wes Moore’s perspective.

5 stars

This is one of the best books I have ever read/listened to. It was so real. The experience of two people having similar but parallel lives. It’s a must read for any adolescent. Junior high and high school English teacher should really consider using this book in their curriculum. It’s thought provoking and makes a great class discussions that other wise young people wouldn’t have at home.

loved it

loved it. very powerful story and a good reminder to all about the choices we make in life

Tragic and Triumphant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Everything about this story is worth your time and Audio books narrated by it's own author (who is a good reader) is an added bonus.

What did you like best about this story?

Wes tells his story in parallel to the story of the Wes Moore who is serving a life sentence for murder. Both men grew up blocks apart, without fathers, were they were faced daily with similar choices which would determine their fate. One ended up a Rhodes Scholar, a highly respected military man and a world traveler. The other, serving a life sentence in a tiny cell because of a grievous mistake.

Wes' stories brings a stark awareness that these stories not only belong to them, but could be anyone's- all of ours... it reminds us that every man was once an innocent boy who walked the path in front of him and it calls us readers to action- to be aware and concerned and care about these boys - all of them and not simply leave them to walk into their own fate- but be an instrument for change for the better.

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

This is such an important and relevant subject for anyone- white, black, male or female to read and a conversation to keep listening to.

Any additional comments?

Wes Moore the author, was a pleasure to listen too and his story is well worth your time. His story includes so many others that are all worth listening too.

Two men with one story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Other Wes Moore to be better than the print version?

I don't know because i haven't read the print version. This is a great to listen to in the car or on the go.

What did you like best about this story?

The segment of the military school for the author was easily my favorite.

What about Wes Moore’s performance did you like?

HIS VOICE CHANGE! hes an incredible actor. especially because this is his story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes! when the other wes moore is part of the robbery but just finished vocational school.

Any additional comments?

GREAT READ! please listen to this and allow the differences in our racist culture to sink in.

Two Stories, One Name

Interesting story about two guys who share a name and some geography, but whose lives take totally different paths. The book does not attempt to explain why it just provides the facts of one success story and one horribly sad story.

Excellent! A must read for those with young sons !

A powerful coming-of-age true story that magnifies the ever lasting impact of
choices on our lives!