Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9368 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-28
• Released on: 2006-09-04
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

In-Style magazine
'Proving again that he is a fantastic story-teller...Fans will
love it and newcomers will be entranced.'

Observer
'...it is exhilarating to see these generations of tough-talking
teenagers blossom.'

Daily Telegraph
'McCourt's gift for mellifluous storytelling means that his tales
of jubilation and disillusionment never disappoint.'

Customer Reviews

Every young teacher should read this book...
Every young teacher should read this book... and be reassured by the fact that every new tacher is doomed to go through certain experiences, no matter when or where! Funny, entertaining, but also deeply moving. McCourt describes his teaching world in a powerful way, transmitting his mixed feelings about a job that, despite everything, gave him a reason of life.

Who would be a teacher?
Anyone who wants to be a school teacher, is a school teacher, was a school teacher, is at school or went to school should read this book.

The pitched psycological battles between student and teacher will be familiar to all. Told with candour and wit, McCourt is a natural writer and has us laughing next to him.

This is just the sort of man I want to sit next to in a bar - funny, intelligent and often self deprecating he has an innocence about him whilst also carrying his impoverished childhood as a feat of survival (see 'Angela's Ashes' and 'Tis').

If you've not read them you'll also want to pick up 'Tis' and 'Angela's Ashes', McCourt's first two books.

"Listen. Are you listening? You're not listening"
A smile. A reminiscence of the good old school days. How many times did our teachers address us with that remark? If you are a teacher, how often did/do you say it to your students? Countless times. Mr. McCourt recounts his 30+ years as a teacher in various high schools in New York. For those of you who were, are or will be teachers, and for those who were, or are students, or if you simply like real-life stories, this is the book for you.

Honing his teacher's skills as the years went by, Mr. McCourt delivers a true insight of life in the classroom, with its laughs, its tears, its frustrations, its joys. This book is constellated with memories of his past, which he would often talk about to his pupils who always listened avidly and eagerly and were encouraged, in turn, to open up and believe in themselves.

His passion for teaching is all there in those laughs, tears, frustrations and joys. Unquestionably, teaching was what Mr. McCourt was meant to do, no matter how undervalued a profession it often was/is, but if you love it, that passion is the fuel igniting everything.
His writing is, as usual, witty, harrowing, poignant and humorous at the same time. He explores his own weaknesses and strengths squarely, learning as he teaches, facing hundreds of challenging minds every day.

After "Angela's Ashes" and " 'Tis ", this is perceived by the author as the last book about himself. Should it be the case, please allow me to quote him once again by saying that I'm so glad that he "sang his song, danced his dance, told his tale". Auspiciously, he'll write some more.