The Best Strangers in the World

Stories from a Life Spent Listening

By: Ari Shapiro

Narrated by: Ari Shapiro

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.

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.

A must listen

I’m 67 and have not been aware of Mr Shapiro until I watched The Mole. He intrigued me. I loved the experiences and the stories of all the people around the world. So glad I listened and will eagerly look for his work in the future.

Strangers No More

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

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…

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!