Helpful Score: 4
A long awaited book about how his 30 yr.teaching career shaped his second career as a writer of Angela's Ashes and Tis. A tribute to teachers everywhere featuring his irreverent wit and heartbreaking honesty. His unconventional methods leave a lasting impact on his students. Every bit as good as Angela's Ashes.
Helpful Score: 4
I love teachers who think out of the box. What a unique man, he made his students stop and think in the moment and reach for a future. I love the Poems he used on High School students to make them reach into themselves and find a deeper meaning, like "Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn't know where to find them." The book was written in a down to earth, open and honest way.
Helpful Score: 3
Frank Mccourt's story continues as he relates his experiences as a teacher in New york City. If you have read his other two books, you don't want to miss this one.
Helpful Score: 3
As a retired teacher who can recognize most of the students depicted in McCourt's Memoir, I found his book both delightful and heart wrenching. I also was impressed with some of the teaching techniques that he employed-ones not found in a college education course. The reader also learns something about McCourt as a man as well as a teacher. I liked this book very much.
Helpful Score: 2
The third installment in the autobiographical books of Frank McCourt. This one is geared totally toward his years of teaching... not too much about personal life or family, although there are snippets here and there. As usual, very entertaining and humorous. His take on life is very worth the read. I'd recommended reading his two previous books (Angela's Ashes and 'Tis) before this one.
Helpful Score: 1
As a teacher, McCourt's book is a true inspiration.
Helpful Score: 1
Focused on the middle years of McCourt's life (Angela's Ashes is about his youth), Teacher Man covers his career in the New York public schools teaching english.
Helpful Score: 1
This was an amazing tale of Frank McCourt's teaching career in the the NYC public high schools. He aptly describes the essence of good teaching...how you know if the kids are with you. And his kids ARE with him, leading to both hilarious and poignant tales both from the classroom and from his childhood. This book, from the author of Angela's Ashes, written at age 66 after retirement from teaching, is a wonderful story!
Helpful Score: 1
I found it interesting at first but got a bit tired by the end. McCourt is quite the story teller.
Helpful Score: 1
Frank McCourt writes eloquently about his thirty year teaching career in the New York City public schools. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who teaches and it will strike a chord with those who remember high school, as well. It celebrates the profession and the experience.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a really good book about an Irish Immigrant who came from working the docks to become a teacher. His unique teaching skills reached children that would have been unreachable. His struggles with the kids and the administration were told from the heart.
Helpful Score: 1
The style in which McCourt writes is so honest and pleasant to read. His voice reminds me of all of my gruff, overly sentimental, proud and self-deprecating Irish relatives. His teaching advice is poignant for all teachers and all wishing to learn about life.
Helpful Score: 1
I read bits and pieces (too close to the end of the school year for this teacher to tolerate large doses of student-teacher interplay), it's interesting that he always maintained self-doubt about his teaching abilities, which is probably a sign of a good teacher.
Helpful Score: 1
This third volume of Frank McCourt's memoirs covers his 30-year career as a teacher in the New York school system, and is the weakest of the trilogy. It lacks the lyric power of "Angela's Ashes" or the sense of adventure of "'Tis". "Teacher Man" describes a man sleepwalking through much of his adult life. It doesn't really catch fire until the last 50 pages.
Great book.
Light-hearted, not too informative, but enjoyable. A quick read.
A great self-portrait of a high school teacher. Gives you a glimpse of a classroom from the eyes of a teacher. Humorous and honest.
The 3rd installment of the crazy life of Frank McCourt.
I enjoyed this memoir of a teacher. Since it is his story of teaching high school, there is some bad language which would be expected.
McCourt writes about his thirty years in the NYC schools, and it was like sitting around the faculty room in my forty years in the Baltimore schools. Ya gotta love 'em.
Frank McCourt writes in such a compelling way that it's difficult to put this book down. Anyone who has taught will recognize characters and situations from their classroom in this book.
A wonderful book. Filled with touching and amusing experiences of a magnificent teacher/author and his students.
lighthearted, light reading, highly recommended
I was really disappointed in this book. It's nothing like Tis'.
I had read the other books by Frank McCourt but didn't think this one would interest me, I was wrong! Another great read that I am glad I didn't miss. If you liked Angela's Ashes and 'Tis, you will want to read the rest of the story. An interesting read about an interesting life.
One of the greatest writers of our time. A must read. He is asble to pull out emotions like no other.
So enjoyable! McCourt showed his impact on the students without bragging. What a diverse life he had. He made me want to be a teacher!
Great story teller and very in-sightful
Loved this memoir! His writing is effortless and the stories about his years teaching high school in NYC are funny and heartwarming. It also reminds teachers not to give up.
I am puzzled by this book. The first paragraph stated McCourt's pride over having made something of himself after a terrible childhood. He then proceeds to tell the story of his teaching as part of this. He admits himself that he felt like a fraud much of the time. I can see why! Most of the anecdotes cover stories of his childhood and he admits to not having control over the students. (He seems to waver between intense pride and self loathing.) Although I enjoyed many of his anecdotes(the assignments to write a suicide note, a excuse note to God from Eve, and reading recipes to music), I spent a lot of time wondering how he could have been a wonderful teacher and had kids flocking to the classroom. I must assume that there is something key to McCourt's charming classroom manner that he left out.
This book is a joy to listen to. It's installment 3 in the life of the author. The first installment "Angela's Ashes" won the Pulitzer Prize. I didn't think the second installment ('Tis) lived up to the promise of the first; in fact I didn't finish it because he seemed to spend a lot of time in self-pity. That's what motivated me to get this book on audio cd - I didn't want to spend the time reading it because I thought I wouldn't enjoy it. It was excellent, and probably benefitted a lot by being read by the author in a lovely Irish brogue. Well worth your time if you're at all interested in the life of a dedicated and inovative educator who spent thirty years in NYC high schools. The package includes a bonus disk containing early chapters from his first two books, read by the author.
Fabulous book! As a writer, I found this an encouragement as well. I don't know how you CAN'T enjoy it...
This book was as good as "Angela's Ashes"! I could not put it down.
Good entertaining read. I loved his sense of humor.
This book is a great read for anyone who has taught any grade level. In bold and spirited prose featuring his irreverent wit and heart-breaking honesty, McCourt records the trials, triumphs and surprises of teaching in public high schools.
Funny, moving and beautifully written. A must for teachers, a should for everyone else.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable sequel to Angela's Ashes and 'Tis, previous books by Frank McCourt. McCourt writes about his humorous but poignant experiences as a high school teacher. A must for teachers, politicians, and anyone that has ever set foot in a high school!
Not as good as the first two, but definitely worth the read.
If you like Frank McCourt you will probably enjoy this book. He is a great storyteller.
Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, writes of his experiences as a teacher in New York City.
I have never been able to read any of Frank McCourt's books with enjoyment. His writing style is very hard to read for me.
i love all of McCourt's books
I loved this book. If you are a teacher or even a substitute, as I am, you will realize that the author has school life and students pegged exactly as they are in all walks of life, everywhere. It is an easy read, should be interesting to anyone.
So well written and inspiring!
A memoir of Frank McCourt's experiences in his thirty-year teaching career. He does some unusual discipline techniques as well as unique teaching techniques. Very interesting.
McCourt's autobiography is an easy read, though not amazingly insightful.
I am puzzled by this book. The first paragraph stated McCourt's pride over having made something of himself after a terrible childhood. He then proceeds to tell the story of his teaching as part of this. He admits himself that he felt like a fraud much of the time. I can see why! Most of the anecdotes cover stories of his childhood and he admits to not having control over the students. (He seems to waver between intense pride and self loathing.) Although I enjoyed many of his anecdotes(the assignments to write a suicide note, a excuse note to God from Eve, and reading recipes to music), I spent a lot of time wondering how he could have been a wonderful teacher and had kids flocking to the classroom. I must assume that there is something key to McCourt's charming classroom manner that he left out.
I absolutely love this author, I have collected all his works in hardback. Truly a person who worked hard and was able to achieve the American dream. Books can be a little gritty for those who are used to mainstream, happy books but they will move you. I am a jaded reader and it takes alot to touch me and I have loved everyone of his books
I think I enjoyed McCourt's previous book 'Tis more than this one. I did grow a little tired of it around the middle, and actually put the book down for a while.
I am glad I picked it up again, though, since in the end section, Coming Alive in Room 205 McCourt did really seem to finally find his footing as a teacher, and his story definitely becomes more interesting.
Here's a great review of the book from The New York Times: The Stuyvesant Test
This book came to me via PaperBackSwap.com
I am glad I picked it up again, though, since in the end section, Coming Alive in Room 205 McCourt did really seem to finally find his footing as a teacher, and his story definitely becomes more interesting.
Here's a great review of the book from The New York Times: The Stuyvesant Test
This book came to me via PaperBackSwap.com
What a delightful read! Frank McCourt exhibits a wonderfully humorous view of teaching high school students with the humor extending to himself (the teacher). He includes many stories and incidents about himself, teaching, students and the classroom. I really like his style of writing. Found myself chuckling out loud as I read Teacher Man. Excellent read.
This is the 3rd of Frank McCourt's life story. The first was "Tis", which was a remarkable book. I enjoyed this one as much as the first.
Frank McCourt is a wonderful storyteller and shares his creativity as a teacher. Very enjoyable read for both educators and non-educators.
I looove Frank McCourt!! I highly recommend all his books!
"...It's a book that every reader can relate to."
The San Diego Union-Tribune "A begiuling, moving story...McCourt describes the teacher we all wish we'd had." The Washington Post
The San Diego Union-Tribune "A begiuling, moving story...McCourt describes the teacher we all wish we'd had." The Washington Post
REALLY ENJOYED THIS,READING ABOUT SOMEONE WILL GET A CLASSES ATTENTION FOR THEM TO LISTEN!
Love this audio book. Listening to Frank McCourt's brougue narrate the book is a wonderful plus. Any one who's ever taught will enjoy this book. Plenty off laughs to go along with the serious stuff, but no one can make trajedy sound like fun but the Irish. (I admit,I'm a little prejudice about this one!)
Excellent in every way. Frank McCourt's reading of his book makes it perfect.
