Miseducated

A Memoir

By: Brandon P. Fleming, Cornel West - foreword

Narrated by: 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 27.

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 14, 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, listeners 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.

©2021 Brandon P. Fleming and Cornel West (P)2021 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

“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 best-selling 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 and chairwoman of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives)

"Spellbinding storytelling.... With immediacy and stylistic flair, Fleming powerfully narrates his difficult childhood with an absent mother and a violent stepfather; his total-immersion course in street life and failure in school; a chance at a Division I basketball career that he would have destroyed himself if injury had not beat him there; a dramatic incident of lust, infidelity, and an attempt at murderous revenge that occurred when the author was only 14; and his interest in - and great talent for - debate, which turned out to be one of the most transformative elements of his life.... Informed by the autobiographies of Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass, the books that finally overcame his resistance to reading, Fleming adds a compelling chapter to the body of literature that inspired him. An inspiring page-turner for all readers, especially those seeking to overcome significant obstacles to find success." (Kirkus Reviews)

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!