Teacher Man

By: Frank McCourt

Narrated by: Frank McCourt

Nearly a decade ago Frank McCourt became an unlikely star when, at the age of 66, he burst onto the literary scene with Angela's Ashes, the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland. Then came 'Tis, his glorious account of his early years in New York.

Now here at last, is McCourt's long-awaited audiobook about how his thirty-year teaching career shaped his second act as a writer. Teacher Man is also an urgent tribute to teachers everywhere. In bold and spirited prose featuring his irreverent wit and heartbreaking honesty, McCourt records the trials, triumphs, and surprises he faces in public high schools around New York City.

©2005 Green Peril Corp. (P)2005 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

• Winner of Audio Publishers Association 2007 Audie Award, Biography/Memoir

"Should be mandatory reading for every teacher in America. And it wouldn't hurt some politicians to read it, too." (Publishers Weekly)
"Teacher Man is an irresistible valedictory, about a man finding his voice in the classroom, on the page and in his soul." (The New York Times)

laugh out loud

I am a teacher and I love these books! The performance is superb and parts make you laugh out loud.

Very Good Read

I liked McCourt's previous books and this topped it all off. Recommend this book.

This book was alright....not a favorite.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It's another book under my belt, but I wouldn't recommend this book I don't think.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Some of the stories he told about his relationship with certain students were pretty funny.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, very slow....kind of boring.

What else would you have wanted to know about Frank McCourt’s life?

I am sure he was an interesting man to know, but the book was pretty boring.

Fantastic!

Once again, Frank McCourt grants us a deep and enriching view of his experiences, perceptions and insight. On a personal level, I took away a vast collection of ideas and a new philosophy regarding how to fully partake and utilize my life.

THE BEST!!!

By far the Best Book I have ever read (heard) - the story, the voice, the humor, I could go on and on about how much I loved this book and the Man telling his own story. Please give it a chance, you will not be able to stop listening to it.... then I went on into "Teacher Man, and 'Tis" Lovely!

Great

Loved it! As a teacher myself I could identify with the situations enen today.

Mesmerizing

His brogue haunts me. Wish I had known his writings and audio before he passed so I could’ve met him and thanked him.

Mixed

This is a review from a teacher:
Frank McCourt won a Pulitzer Prize with his book Angela's Ashes (I have not read any of his other works and only read this because someone suggested that teachers should read it.). This book is an account of his time as an English teacher in inner-city New York. He taught there for more than 20 years and earned himself nothing. Yes, there were students who came back and said "You really influenced me.” Or “You made a big difference in my life." But what didn't happen, and what doesn't happen to nearly every single teacher you have ever had, is a secure ending. When he retired, he retired to an incredibly small teacher’s pension.

The praises of the students warms the hearts and souls of teachers but they do not warm houses. They do not put kids through college. They do not allow for dental work. They do not allow for their retirement to be secure. Nearly all students will earn more than the teacher who educated them. Most educated students will vote for an expansion of the football stadium over an increase in teacher salary despite the fact that their employer hired them because of their education.

So when I read this book, I see the same problems all teachers face. To be sure stupid students can be funny. Last year a student asked me whether or not we knew for certain the other planets were actually round (she meant spherical) or were they flat like the Bible says. In Oklahoma recently two industrial factories chose to locate in other states because the people of Oklahoma simply were not intelligent enough to work in a factory. This is not an isolated occurrence. So for me, a teacher, this book was depressing.

By the way, the highest paid a public official in the state of Oklahoma is Oklahoma's football coach who makes more than 2 million a year. Who is the highest-paid public servant in your state?

Where's the Teaching?

I love Frank McCourt, and I love that he reads his own work--it comes alive in a different way. I felt like Frank was just sitting me down and chatting the whole length of the book. I wish there were more teachable moments discussed. It felt like it was more about his struggle to become a teacher, a couple hilarious stories about his first year, and then his opinions about education today. What happened in those other 30 years of teaching, Frank?

Stars for candor

This book certainly has its dry spots. However, what I like most about Frank McCourt is the way he tells his story, --no holds barred, with all its sadnesses-- and remains able to write it from the inside out -- his inside, that is. I love his memoirs - they teach a hundred lessons about problem-solving, getting along, never giving up -- and putting one foot in front of another when confidence is '0' and life looks bleak. ..And yet -- it's entertaining! Bravo - again Mr. McCourt.