Synopsis
The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting Justice, 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, destined to become a classic of self-invention and self-discovery.
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, destined to become a classic of self-invention and self-discovery.
My Review
My Beloved World by Sonia SotomayorMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 1/2 platypires.
Last Hispanic Heritage Month, HBO was showcasing a lot of documentaries and one of them showed a snippet of Sonia Sotomayor. She was talking about growing up Latina and baseball. I immediately grew a liking to her and thought, "oh wow, she's a real person. She's got a personality" Sorry but usually those in the public eye are pretty stiff and not approachable.
When I saw the audio of "My Beloved World" available from my library. I immediately downloaded it. I didn't notice at first that it was read by actress Rita Moreno. At first Sonia Sotomayor read the prologue and I thought I was in trouble. Honestly, she might be a top notch lawyer and judge but reading aloud wasn't in her cards. Thankfully, Rita Moreno took over and she did a fabulous job. Come on! She's an Oscar winning actress and Justice Sotomayor got her to read her book. JUST FANTASTIC. lol
Anyways, I learn so much from this book about Justice Sotomayor and in a way I learned a lot about myself. She lived a life that hit close to home and with persistence she overcame a lot to get where she is at today. Just a great life journey that I felt fortunate enough to experience.
Overall this was a great read and I truly enjoyed it. I would recommend this for other to read.
View all my reviews
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