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 … 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. She would learn to give herself the insulin shots she needed to survive and soon imagined a path to a different life.
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.
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I enjoyed learning more about her life and the struggles and obstacles she had along the way. If she can do it, she inspired me to know we can all reach for our dreams.
My Beloved World gives you an open window into the personal (and professional) side to Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor. It is a walk through her life on both levels and you feel you really get to know this extraordinary woman. A great read for those who like biographies.
An excellent memoir filled with the life story of the author before she became a Supreme Court Justice, with personal reflections and honest. It also gives special insights into Latino/PuertoRican culture. Beautifully written.
Best book I read in 2018. Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina U.S. Supreme Court justice. Some people, even ones I admire hugely, have a hard time determining what from their own lives is interesting to the average Joe on the street. Sotomayor is not only an admirable person with an inspirational story, she knows to pick a central story to …
I realize I did not do the necessary due diligence before getting this book. I believed this would be about her life on the court. Wrong. I was over 150 pages in and Sonia is still in high school- her first year at that. I understand having one’s childhood a part of a memoir, but it was so much more of the early years than I would have wished. …
Isn’t it wonderful to have a sitting United States Supreme Court Justice who is a real person, who grew up in a real world too many of us actually know. Growing up is hard for almost everyone as we all have challenges. For way too many growing up is extremely difficult as the live in poverty. Justice Sotomayor not only managed to grow up in …
Its not brilliant literature but she’s such a likable person now
She is very inspirational!
This book was such a well written biography and restored my faith in the supreme court members.
I felt that she was very open and honest about her upbringing, her challenges and her accomplishments. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Well-written, “from the heart”, about her life, her extended family who helped mold and encourage her, becoming the Leader and Role Midel she is today.
Great insight into Justice Sotomayor and her life and family. A very inspiring story of success in America. Read this well written auto biography.
I was disappointed in this book. I expected to really like it. It read too slow, actually kind of boring. I got two thirds through it regardless and then just picked up Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton and have been reading that. I am not sure I will finish Sotomayor’s book.
Helped me to understand more about the Puerto Rican culture. Inspires all readers to persevere to attain their dreams. Justice Sotomeyor is a great role modeland a wonderful writer!
I enjoyed a peek into the life and upbringing of a Supreme Court justice. Not Being familiar with her background, it gave me an understanding of who she is today.
A delightful book by an incredible person. A joy to read.
This book reveals the struggles of minorities to achieve the American Dream of Education. And a future that will help our country. How many of us in the Middle -upper class understand these struggles? How many of us appreciate the effort it takes to succeed in an environment where some people think you don’t belong? These difficulties are …