Nearly a decade ago Frank McCourt became an unlikely star when, at the age of sixty-six, he burst onto the literary scene with Angela's Ashes, the Pulitzer Prize- winning memoir of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland. Then came 'Tis, the glorious account of his early years in New York. Teacher Man is McCourt's long-awaited book about how his thirty- year teaching career shaped his second act as a writer. It is also an urgent tribute to teachers everywhere. In bold and spirited prose featuring his irreverent wit and ...
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Nearly a decade ago Frank McCourt became an unlikely star when, at the age of sixty-six, he burst onto the literary scene with Angela's Ashes, the Pulitzer Prize- winning memoir of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland. Then came 'Tis, the glorious account of his early years in New York. Teacher Man is McCourt's long-awaited book about how his thirty- year teaching career shaped his second act as a writer. It is also an urgent tribute to teachers everywhere. In bold and spirited prose featuring his irreverent wit and heartbreaking honesty, McCourt records the trials, triumphs and surprises he faced in public high schools around New York City. His methods anything but conventional, McCourt created a lasting impact on his students through imaginative assignments (he instructed one class to write An Excuse Note from Adam or Eve to God), singalongs (featuring recipe ingredients as lyrics) and field trips (imagine taking twenty-nine rowdy girls to a movie in Times Square!). Teacher Man shows McCourt developing his unparalleled ability to tell a great story as, five days a week, five periods per day, he worked to gain the attention and respect of unruly, hormonally charged or indifferent adolescents. For McCourt, storytelling itself is the source of salvation, and in Teacher Man the journey to redemption -- and literary fame -- is an exhilarating adventure.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Frank McCourt's "Teacher Man" was given to me by a friend at a time when, late in life, I decided I HAD to teach English Literature. I knew I was in for a struggle but I was confident that I loved my subject so much I was positive that I could make my students love it, too. I failed. I was at a school where cheating was common, no one had the desire to learn, teachers were not respected, and there was no discipline. I think the giver of this gift was trying to show me that I was not the only one who had problems with students! Too bad I didn't have the stomach to tough it out.
McCourt is a fine writer with that Irish melancholy that makes one identify with him on many levels.
It is interesting that, of all the movies I showed my classes in an attempt to get them to see that themes are eternal, they loved the screenplay of "Angela's Ashes" the best. This other work by McCourt will break your heart, yet he tucks in enough humor to keep you from killing yourself. His descriptions are without parallel, and the Irish village is a microcosm of the world--his, ours, and anybody's. Due to lots of begging, I showed the movie twice.
Please read this. It's a wonderful book and is way easier to get through than James Joyce. Plus, the reader has no doubt about what he's reading, while dipping into Joyce takes a priest and a seeing eye dog.
Cassey
Apr 30, 2009
A must read for anyone contemplating teaching.
Fast easy read. Inspiring and funny without the morose tragedy of his Angela's Ashes.
ohrenberg@gmail.com
Oct 30, 2007
Another hit
Other than Teacher Man Frank McCourt has brought us many great novels such as 'Tis and Angelas Ashes. Teacher Man chronicals the life McCourt experienced in his many years as a high school teacher. The book describes how the psyche of adolescent childrenhas changed from the 60's to today and also points out some of the short comings of the public school system. While not as powerfull or heart breaking as his previous 2 novels Teacher Man is still worth giving a read just dont expect to be blown away.
