The Right Mistake

By: Walter Mosley

Narrated by: Ezra Knight

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

From award-winning author Walter Mosley comes the third work featuring hardened ex-con turned street philosopher Socrates Fortlow. Organizing other troubled individuals, Socrates starts the Thursday Night Thinkers' Meeting, in which members discuss "the world and what would be the right thing to do."

©2008 Walter Mosley (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"In the face of gangs, drugs, poverty and racism, Mosley poses the deceptively simple question - What can I do? - and provides a powerful and moving answer." ( Publishers Weekly)

The Book for Black Folks of every color and Creed

this was an absolutely amazing story
the narrator for fantastic the storyline was amazing and the salt behind the intention was beautiful my new favorite book

Mosley presents us with multiple realities of life and society through the trials and tribulations of Socrates

Socrates, from the beginning wraps your attention to the fast moving events of his life, never holding back his past as a two time murder and rapist while ingratiating you with his charm. The charm coming forth from his forthright nature and determination to make amends for the man he was...hard to put this book down!

Walter Mosley is the best!

I actually forgot that I had listen to this book before but it was worth doing it again as it is a great story

Another fine Socrates novel

With Moseley’s works the journey is the reward. I can’t remember the outcome of most of the EZ Rawlins mysteries but the characters and the eras he explored were fascinating. This was a very different kind of journey where much of the emphasis was put on just getting people to communicate and get them exposed to other viewpoints. And a different view of Socrates now looking to a brighter future.

Walter Mosley is Brilliant!

Living in South Central L.A., Socrates Fortlow is a sixty-year-old ex-convict, still strong enough to kill men with his bare hands. Now freed after serving twenty-seven years in prison, he is filled with profound guilt about his own crimes and disheartened by the chaos of the streets. Along with his gambler friend Billy Psalms, Socrates calls together local people of all races from their different social stations—lawyers, gangsters, preachers, Buddhists, businessmen—to conduct meetings of a Thinkers' Club, where all can discuss the unanswerable questions in life.


The Right Mistake is the 3rd of the Socrates Fortlow trilogy so I'm working backwards. I'll absolutely be reading the other two books.
The Right Mistake was super engaging and totally kept me hooked! It was thought-provoking, fun, and relevant. The narration was outstanding and made the story come alive. Mosely's characters are just awesome. Great read!

Walter Mosley doesn't disappoint.

While this is not his best work Walter Mosley delivers a great story to the life of the intriguing Socrates Fortlow. The Right Mistake is a good read that keeps you engaged throughout each chapter in the book.

Way over the top, but worth it.

I listened to the first two books in the Socrates Trilogy and enjoyed them very much. This on bothered me at the start. The narration seemed overly dramatic and I felt like I was being “put on.” Then I realized that I was accustomed to a neutral narrator speaking in a neutral cadence with neutral emphasis, ie: white. The written text would be read this, but the narrator as well as the characters are using the phrasing and emphasis that is authentic to the context. Whether this is an accurate observation or not, the story is richer for it. For me anyway.

Saving the best for last

Would you consider the audio edition of The Right Mistake to be better than the print version?

I've never seen the print version, but, in general, I prefer audiobooks if they have the right narrator. In this case, with basso profundo narrator Ezra Knight, I cannot imagine a better, truer voice to bring Socrates Fortlow—and Walter Mosley's art—to life.

Any additional comments?

The three Socrates Fortlow novels are not always easy to listen to. Walter Mosley's power of description remains brilliant, and his characters absorbing, but these books are much bleaker than, say, his Easy Rawlins novels. Still, Socrates Fortlow's is a voice well worth listening to, and his story pays off magnificently in this third book, The Right Mistake. Like Socrates' Thursday night gatherings of thinkers from all walks of life, this book can make you reconsider all your comfortably known truths, and change your life for the better. You will come to love the characters surrounding Socrates, and you will hold your breath, hoping he will realize that he has grown from a killer into a leader. This novel of love and wisdom will fill your heart.

I like the story of...

Socrates Fortlow. I skipped the second book by accident. This story kept me engaged. I was always on the edge of my seat wonder what was going to happen next.

Love this books

I love all Walter Mosley books they’re great excellent reads! Ready to read new release.