My Beloved World [L0040]

2014 - PB Excellent condition. #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A "searching and emotionally intimate memoir" (The New York Times) told with a candor never before undertaken by a sitting Justice. This "powerful defense of empathy" (The Washington Post) is destined to become a classic of self-invention and self-discovery. The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. In this story of human triumph that "hums with hope and exhilaration" (NPR), she recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself. Here is the story of a precarious childhood, with an alcoholic father (who would die when she was nine) and a devoted but overburdened mother, and of the refuge a little girl took from the turmoil at home with her passionately spirited paternal grandmother. But it was when she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes that the precocious Sonia recognized she must ultimately depend on herself. With only television characters for her professional role models, and little understanding of what was involved, she determined to become a lawyer, a dream that would sustain her on an unlikely course, from valedictorian of her high school class to the highest honors at Princeton, Yale Law School, the New York County District Attorney's office, private practice, and appointment to the Federal District Court before the age of forty. Along the way we see how she was shaped by her invaluable mentors, a failed marriage, and the modern version of extended family she has created from cherished friends and their children. Through her still-astonished eyes, America's infinite possibilities are envisioned anew in this warm and honest book.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "This entertaining memoir is upbeat, humorous, and compassionate. It's filled with local color, especially in the chapters about her Hispanic heritage. Sotomayor is an inspiration to others that dreams can come true."; "A wonderful read, from beginning to end. Sotomayor's story of growing up in the projects of New York to serving on the highest court of the land is candid, thought-provoking, and inspiring. The theme throughout My Beloved World is consistent: no person can achieve their goals, no matter how big or small, without the support of family and friends. Sotomayor details her early development of self-reliance during childhood and moves on to her determination and perseverance in her academic and professional careers. She doesn't sugarcoat her complicated relationship with her mother or her own failed marriage. Instead, she discusses the lessons she's learned from her life's experiences, both good and bad."; "I think this book should be on the required reading list for high school students. Reading the book was like having cafe con leche and conversation with Justice Sotomayor. As we journey with her into a culture rich with color, filled with love and support from her family, it makes you believe anything is possible. From such humble beginnings to a Supreme Court Justice, one can only be filled with admiration for the accomplishments of such a remarkable and intelligent woman."