New York Times Bestseller: The “miraculous” memoir of an inspiring teacher and the students who changed his life on an impoverished South Carolina island (Newsweek). Though the children of Yamacraw Island live less than two miles from the southern mainland, they can’t name the US president or the ocean that surrounds them. Most can’t read or write. Many of the students are the descendants of … students are the descendants of slaves, handicapped by poverty and isolation.
When Pat Conroy arrives, an eager young teacher at the height of the civil rights movement, he finds a community still bound by the bitter effects of racism, but he is determined to broaden its members’ horizons and give them a voice.
In this poignant memoir, which Newsweek called “an experience of joy,” the New York Times–bestselling author of The Prince of Tides plumbs his experiences as a young teacher on an isolated South Carolina island to reveal the shocking inequalities of the American education system.
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The first book I read by Pat Conroy. Loved his story.
An idealistic young white man comes to terms with the realities of southern attitudes in the late Sixties.
The author of this memoir actually did teach 10-13 year olds on an island off South Carolina, but he uses a fictitious name for the island here. Since his students are mostly bright but illiterate, Conroy resorts to very unconventional …
My favorite Pat Conroy book!!
An unforgettable account of real life experiences written by an acknowledged master.
only a young , idealistic young man could have achieved what Pat accomplished. Even though he was dismissed, I am sure the island never went back to the old status quo. Hopefully some of the people who lived there were inspired to seek better things.
Informative, readable, a book anyone would enjoy.
Pat Conroy was a fantastic writter. He will be missed.
Pat Conroy is one of America’s great storyteller. His writing is poetic. This is not my favorite Conroy book (beach music or prince of tides) but it is still fantastic!
Pat writes so wonderfully
One of the best writers on the planet.
Another wonderful book from a great author!
All of it.
I always enjoy any book by Pat Conroy. My parents and my son are teachers … so I could truly appreciate this book even more.
The Water is Wide, Pat Conroy’s memoir of a year teaching in a sea islands school off the coast of South Carolina circa 1969, is a fascinating glimpse into the lives and conditions of the people on little Yamacraw Island (the fictional name of Daufuskie Island).
Conroy is young and more than a little idealistic when he arrives on …
This is Pat Conroy’s first book. It is a very good first book but his writing skill improved as is shown in his subsequent works.
All educators should read this book.
I loved this book. As a former teacher, I could relate to a lot of Pat Conroy’s experiences. Some of them were not so believable but entertaining.
Amazing read!!
Conroy is an exceptional writer and story teller. Being a teacher and administrator in America’s public schools in Texas and Nevada, while it does not surprise me, to hear him talk about his experiences with these children, reiterates the fact that minority and poor children are still not getting an equitable, appropriate and healthy education …
great memoir by a great writer.