Helps you understand the man

This autobiography of the economist Thomas Sowell helps you understand how many of his ideas, especially about education, were formed. As a man who was able to reach the heights of academic prominence, he illustrates how high academic expectations for children from any socio-economic background create fertile ground for their future successes. Even though the author had his own academic bumps along the way, due to family problems in high school, the spark was there from his earlier educational experiences to propel his pursuit of excellence forward.

It was also interesting to see how Sowell's own independent streak influenced his odyssey. He is definitely a man who knows his own mind and will not be pushed around by anyone. This is evidenced fairly early in his life and is a theme that continues throughout this book.

I wish he had discussed more the intellectual odyssey that influence the change in his economic philosophy from Marxism to the one he holds today. But, perhaps that is for another book.

I thought that the reader was excellent and made the autobiography come to life.

15 people found this helpful

Thomas Sowell: An American treasure!

June 30, 2020 is Thomas Sowell's 90th birthday. It is a great time to once again read his autobiography which was released in the year 2000 when he was a mere 70 years old. Sowell in addition to being the foremost economist in the US has written dozens of books and hundreds of newspaper columns. His latest book, Charter Schools and Their Enemies, is being released today. Sowell was born into poverty in Gastonia NC. He was given up to other family members because his parents could no afford another mouth to feed. He went from these beginnings to earn a PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago and to teach at several universities. MY PERSONAL ODYSSEY is an intensely personal perspective on his life. One cannot go wrong listening to or reading any Thomas Sowell book. Almost all are available at Audible. This book along with all other books by Thomas Sowell have my highest possible recommendation.

11 people found this helpful

Fascinating Story with Good Narration

After reading the print version of Applied Economics, I was curious to know more about Thomas Sowell. This book did a great job of satisfying my curiosity. Though, maybe unintentional, the humor of Thomas Sowell had me laughing out loud many times throughout, which made this an especially easy listen. Humorous bits aside, this is an amazing story that shows what a GED (general equivalency diploma) and years of hard work might get you.

6 people found this helpful

Thomas Sowell - hero

This book was one of my favorites from audible.com. Mr. Sowell's intellect comes through with a large amount of humorous irony. The description of his education and academic experience is so "right on" yet very discouraging. I would have loved to have had him for a professor.

9 people found this helpful

Dr. Thomas Sowell

A very good autobiography by Dr. Sowell. Straightforward and unapologetic. He tells how he made it through hard work and by taking advantage of the opportunities available to him. As a young man, he was a Marxist and he knew what that meant unlike many today. As he matured and educated himself fully, his views changed. Even though Dr. Sowell is 90 years old, I think his works are more important than ever. His autobiography shows plainly that he did NOT come from a privileged upbringing. Candice Owens recommended his books and since she is a brilliant and educated young woman, I have begun to study his writings.

1 person found this helpful

Astonishingly contemporary!

Sowell’s experiences in the 1960s, 70s 80s and 90s read as though it was all happening today - political correctness, unreliable media, and virtue signaling were all alive and well as he was developing his career, eager to examine and tell the truth. Thank God for his perceptiveness and determination not to be sucked in to the prevailing, demeaning racist narrative.

1 person found this helpful

What makes the intellectual?

Interesting read on the life events the culminated to make the intellectual Thomas Sowell the man he is today. His strong conservative principals and unfailing convictions come through loud and clear as he struggles through race issues, academic freedom and other character molding events in his history. It was very interesting to hear the story behind what was going on in his life when some of his books came out.

1 person found this helpful

The book is outstanding! The narrator is NOT.

I was hooked to this book when I started it. Sowell offers us a glimpse of the events that shaped his life and his status as a black conservative intellectual. He truly stands heads and shoulders above so many so called intellectuals, primarily because of practical experience he gained through out his life. This is truly an inspiring story.

My chief complaint is the narrator of this story. He reads it with all the emotion of a bad news anchor - that is to say no emotion whatsoever. His voice lacks any of the introspective qualities of the book itself, that it almost robs the listener of the sense that this is personal odyssey. Instead, it sounds as though the author is writing with no emotion whatsoever, even when describing deeply personal moments. I would strongly recommend passing on this audiobook and insteading purchasing the text from Amazon.

3 people found this helpful

Wonderful

Thank you, Thomas Sowell for sharing parts of your life with your readers. I cannot get enough of your books and am so grateful for you.

Sparks

Sowell's memoirs or whatever you want to call them throw off a lot of sparks to ignite honest thinking that cuts through the terrible habit of equating feelings and opinions to dialogue.