A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life

by Deval Patrick

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Deval Patrick, “an inspirational figure guided by optimism and hope who presaged the rise of President Obama” ( The Boston Globe ), recounts his extraordinary journey from the South Side of Chicago to the governorship of Massachusetts.
 
“I’ve simply seen too much goodness in this country—and have come so far in my own journey—not to believe in those ideals, and my faith in the future is sometimes restored under the darkest clouds.”—Governor Deval Patrick

In January 2007, Deval Patrick became the first black governor of the state of Massachusetts, one of only two black governors elected in American history. But that was just one triumphant step in an improbable life that began in a poor tenement on the South Side of Chicago, taking Patrick from a chaotic childhood to an elite boarding school in New England, from a sojourn doing relief work in Africa to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, and then to a career in politics.
 
In this heartfelt and inspiring memoir, he pays tribute to the family, friends, and strangers who, through words and deeds, have instilled in him transcendent lessons of faith, perseverance, and friendship. In doing so, he reminds us of the power of community and the imperative of idealism. With humility, humor, and grace, he offers a road map for attaining happiness, empowerment, and success while also making an appeal for readers to cultivate those achievements in others, to feel a greater stake in this world, and to shape a life worth living.

Warm, nostalgic, and inspirational,  A Reason to Believe is destined to become a timeless tribute to a uniquely American odyssey and a testament to what is possible in our lives and our communities if we are hopeful, generous, and resilient.

Governor Deval Patrick is donating a portion of the proceeds from A Reason to Believe to A Better Chance, a national organization dedicated to opening the doors to greater educational opportunities for young people of color.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Memoir, Autobiography, Biography

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton. He is the state's first African American governor.

Born and raised by a single mother on the South Side of Chicago, Patrick won a scholarship to Milton Academy in Massachusetts in the eighth grade. He went on to attend Harvard College and Harvard Law School, where he was President of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. After graduating he practiced law with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. He later joined a Boston law firm, where he was named a partner at the age of 34. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed Patrick Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, where he worked on issues including racial profiling and police misconduct. Patrick returned to Boston in 1997 to work in private law. In the following years he worked as general counsel for Texaco in New York City and Coca-Cola in Atlanta, which were both facing large racial discrimination settlements.

When he announced his candidacy for the 2006 gubernatorial election in Massachusetts, Patrick was initially seen as a dark horse candidate, but ultimately won the Democratic primary against veteran politicians Thomas Reilly and Chris Gabrielli. He went on to defeat Republican Lieutanent Governor Kerry Healey in the general election, and was inaugurated in January 2007. In his first term, Patrick oversaw the implementation of the state's 2006 health care reform program, increased funding to education and life sciences, won a federal Race to the Top education grant, passed an overhaul of state transportation industries to create the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, worked with the legislature to defend the legality of same-sex marriage, and increased the state sales tax from 5% to 6.25%. Under Patrick, Massachusetts joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and greatly expanded services to veterans. His two legislative battles to implement casino gambling failed: he could not win the approval of the House of Representatives in March 2008, and he vetoed a bill passed by the legislature in August 2010 for going too far.

Patrick was re-elected in the 2010 gubernatorial election against Republican Charlie Baker and Independent Tim Cahill. His second term began on January 6, 2011 and in an interview with the Boston Globe, Patrick declares he will not seek re-election in 2014.

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I read it because of an interview on NPR where he read from the preface. The book didn't turn out to be as good as the preface was. I generally like books about successful people who have overcome life's challenges when they show the progression. I was interested in Deval Patrick's life, but he didn't answer questions about how he succeeded (especially in schooling), which is what I was interested in. He was a scholarship student at Milton, but how did he get into and pay for Harvard and Harvard law school? How did he develop his character in school? Those are the kinds of questions I'm interested in. I was left wondering what the point of the book was other than to congratulate himself on becoming successful after starting life in poverty.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I WANT AN AUTOBIO ON HIS WIFE!!!!

This book was short and concise, I’d never heard of him before his putting his bid in for the 2020 race... I loved that he spent a good while in the motherland 💚.

[Ernst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting book on the state of American politics -- amazingly relevant to today, even though it was published in 2011 and says nothing about the most recent two Presidential elections. Young man raised by a single Mother in Chicago made good.

[Blakely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess, I have now read a politician's book. And a seated politician, nonetheless....

The book was very enjoyable and easy to become interested in - tracing Patrick's life as a poor child in Chicago to Governor of Massachusetts. The overall story was quite inspirational.

However, it does have a few flaws. Patrick glosses over his time as a lawyer for corporate America basically spending a few lines mentioning that he worked for Coca-Cola and Texaco (or some other gas company, I may have the name wrong) and only mentioning briefly his tenure in the Clinton administration - I would have loved to learn more about all of these career choices.

Secondly, Patrick just briefly discusses some of the problems he had as a governor early in his career. He mentions that he got in trouble with the media for redecorating the Governor's office on the States' dime and later ended up paying for the changes himself. What he neglected to mention is that the curtains alone cost $10,000 and the total redecoration was almost $27,000. I realize if you're rich or used to working in corporate America that's basically petty cash. But I have heard Patrick admit in the past that those were mistakes made by a naive Governor who didn't think about the perception of his spending choices. That's what I wish I had read more of in the book.

Still, it's a good read and I recommend it.

[Adrienne Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Reason To Believe is a truly inspiring read!! Penned by Deval Patrick, Massachusetts' first (and to date, only) black governor, this book offers deep insight and a transparent look into his remarkable and inspiring life. I believe this should be a must-read for high school students and others seeking direction. This is a wonderful story of humble beginnings and triumphant victories. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!

5 Enthusiastic Stars!!

Adrienne Thompson
Author of Seven Days of Change (A Flash Devotional)

[Griff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, short memoir. Like Deval himself states in the epilogue, this is more of a series of silent, anonymous interactions that contributed to the author's path and his conviction that there are, in fact, many reasons to hold out hope for our nation. I feel I got a sense for the type of person Deval Patrick is through this book, and it did inform me about his upbringing and adolescence. This is certainly not a tell-all, and it could use many more concrete stories and examples of interactions with 'higher-level' officials and moments to be of greater interest to the reader, but I don't believe that's the type of book Deval wanted to write. This is a better than average politician's book, and one I don't believe to be ghost-written, at that. I was endeared to Deval and his story through reading his book, and I'd recommend others interested in his story to do the same.

[Paul Rubio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deval wrote in a great style that helped me understand his perspective, even if I disagree with his opinions enough to not consider voting for him. He shared many interesting experiences, like his time in Africa, which to me underscores how truth is stranger than fiction. While I was expecting something chronological, which would discuss his time at Texaco and Coca-Cola more in-depth, I like how he highlighted certain themes with each chapter.

[Demla · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're running for president and looking for
Black votes, men please listen up, to be Black is not to just say you are Black. You yourself must love being a Black man, not hide behind White women and wish your children don't turnout Black, otherwise you are a fake Black man, nope not real. Hope thus help you realize whom you really are.

[Robert Meeker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a candidate’s book; a biography.

I bought the book because I am trying to read the “campaign” from all the candidates. This book tells you next to nothing about his platform — it is a light biography.

[Ginger Perry]

Good book. Great life. Amen to him and his wife Diane.

[Golden Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a great roadmap of how a young African American male overcame the impoverished life in the south side of Chicago to the Governor’s home in Massachusetts.

Living in the home of his grandparents, sharing a bedroom with his mother and sister, having to rotate to sleep on the floor every third night didn’t seem like a big deal to Deval growing up. He just kind of took things as they were. They went to church every Sunday, with always the promise of a big brunch upon returning home, that his grandmother would prepare. His grandfather was a gentle man who had won the heart of his grandmother years ago. Now in those days, that was a problem because his grandmother was a mixed women who could pass for white living and married to a black man.
There were times when his family would go out to eat, and his grandmother would go in first to order and then have the rest of the family enter the restaurant. Of course the restaurant owners did not like that and on occasion would try and put us out. Deval’s family never wanted him or his sister Rhonda to know how the world really was. They never saw color, and were never given the permission to use race as an excuse not to succeed. This mindset is extremely important in Deval’s road to success.
His father, a jazz musician was also into the black militant movement pretty heavy. He left Deval, his mother and sister Rhonda when Deval was very young to pursue his mucisal career in New York. In later years when he was attending Milton military academy, Deval’s father accused him of forgetting where he came from. There was always a struggle for him to balance both worlds.
His mother struggled with loneliness and a broken heart. She put her education on hold to raise Rhonda and Deval but, she eventually got her GED which was a goal she never gave up on. She also never gave up on Deval’s father. Even though he moved on, growing up she would have us write to him and let him know we knew his songs and the latest dance moves. Which she thought would entice him, bring him back.
Growing up on the rough side, the south side of Chicago did not teach him much about the world. It was like being on a different planet. Deval wasn’t athletic, he was not a fighter, and wasn’t very popular. He would become engrossed in books. Learning was his outlet. Different teachers along his educational journey helped to mold him, broaden his horizons, and made him think as his grandparents had taught him, that there was a possibility of a better life, always.
He was very articulate, and could speak and write very well. Through the relationships and bonds he made with his teachers, they helped him apply for grants and scholarships to schools he would not otherwise be able to attend. He attended Milton Military Academy, an elite all white preparatory school for high school, then he was accepted to the school he really wanted to attend…Harvard College, then went on to study at Harvard Law School.



After law school, he moved to California to work for a judge. Most of his career was centered around equality, and racism. He had a very impressive resume as a civil right lawyer, as well as important friends like, Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama, who asked his opinion and advice from time to time. He was well respected.
He married Diane, a women who was already married to an abusive husband which he found out about on their first date. A blind date. She felt a sense of obligation to her husband despite his mistreatment of her because of her vows to him “for better or for worse”. See he was dying with cancer. Eventually they divorced and she and Deval moved back east. They married and had two daughters.
Deval was nominated to the senate, and then went on to win Massachusetts as the 71st governor, the first African American Governor. The spotlight took a toll on his wife Diane. She was admitted to the hospital for Depression. Instead of hiding her mental illness, she addressed it publicly. This brought her her own share of supporters. Then as Deval was running for Governor, his daughter Katherine admitted to him that she was a lesbian.
Deval had many obstacles to overcome in his life’s journey. He hasn’t made excuses for himself, nor has he used being an African American as an excuse not to succeed. He is well accomplished. The many stories that he has shared has helped to bring realism to government. Every family has their own share of problems. It is important to never forget your faith, your roots, as well as give back. I really admire the fact that he continues to help people, and open his doors for them. Whether it’s a troubled niece, or a foreign exchange student, he helped shape someone else’s life. Just as those mentor’s helped shape his.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally avoid political memoirs and autobiographies. Listening to political spin is entirely different than investing time into 200-plus pages of it. After seeing Governor Patrick on The Daily Show, however, I decided to give his book a chance. I should have stuck with my avoidance strategy. This is mindless political tripe at its finest, full of lofty sentiments with no real backbone and stories with uplifting morals but no hard lessons. To be fair, Governor Patrick’s story is interesting, but this book wanders and is neither separate essays nor a cohesive narrative but instead a disjointed mess of both. For example, the first chapter reads like a chronological extended acknowledgments section, while another chapter is essentially an essay about studying abroad, written in a way that makes it seem like Governor Patrick considers his time as a citizen of the world unique, despite it being fairly similar to the experiences of the thousands of Americans who go abroad annually. There’s some decent stuff in places, but, for me, the last chapter undermined even the positives: Governor Patrick jumps on Obama’s coattails and proceeds to claim a share of credit for Obama’s 2008 election. I understand why a mention of Obama was warranted (and, hey, I’ll fully admit I like telling people I also took a class from Obama’s favorite professor in college), but the way in which it was written made Governor Patrick seem like both a desperate celebrity groupie and some mythical man behind the curtain, neither of which reflects well upon him.

I realize this review is getting rather long, but I want to add one more reason why people should skip this book: Governor Patrick talks about the need to overcome cynicism in American society. On that, he and I are in complete agreement. That said, this book made me more cynical. In my experience, a good deal of cynicism stems from listening to people in power spin fairy tales of success while paying lip service to helping the less fortunate without doing anything of substance. I finished this book thinking that, yes, Governor Patrick has indeed led an improbable life, but what I found even more remarkable is that, despite such an improbable life, his view of the world is so very divorced from reality. Not recommended.

[Cheryl Durham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an inspirational read. Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts was an elected official who I knew very little about. I completed the reading feeling well- versed in who he was, how he rose through the ranks and his political views. It was refreshing to read about his early childhood, family background, how he met his wife, travels abroad as well as his thirst to succeed/steps taken as he navigated life from the Southside of Chicago to Milton (prep school) and Harvard Law School (interest and entrance into politics).

A Reason to Believe pays tribute to the lessons he learned as a youth. It also gives the reader an opportunity to see that coming full circle is about glancing back while moving forward. I loved that he coined this work "lessons from an improbable life." Some of the lessons were: vision is essential (if you don't know where you are going...you can end up anywhere), know who you are (be true to yourself...no one else can define you), try a new perspective (be willing to see things from a different perspective) and save a place (there is no statue of limitations on forgiveness....reconciliations take place because the door is and should be left open).

Family members, teachers, elders of the church and others were given credit for shaping his views on life, loving and succeeding. He was quick to speak about challenges and failures. He was transparent about a lot of things. Some things did not need to be rehashed or expounded; he eloquently illustrated that sometimes "silence speaks the loudest."

The book was a quick read. It forced me to reflect on various aspects of my life. It provided me with some tidbits to consider as I continue to pour into the lives of the youth today.....who are our leaders of tomorrow.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have met Governor Patrick and he seemed to be a very genuine and kind person. This book is extremely interesting and reveals much about his childhood. The other episodes of his life seem less complete but he may not have been at liberty to talk about certain things or people. I give his wife a lot of credit for what she has come through as well.
As to another review that said there was no information about how he was so successful academically...he credits effort, studiousness and love of learning from excellent teachers. Obviously, he was very intelligent to have had such excellent grades in such difficult circumstances (enter scholarship opportunity). As for doing well in private school-again- hitting the books to make up for being behind the others. Sometimes it's just that simple= work.
I should also mention the book made me think that perhaps one doesn't always know how people feel if not in another's particular circumstances. It was not important to me that he is the first MA black governor or that Obama is the first black president...but I have a better feeling now as to why this is so important/emotional for others.
Overall, this is a quick but satisfying read-very heartfelt. Recommended.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A candid memoir that emphasizes how caring mentors, teachers and other adults helped shape his life and values. Patrick grew up poor on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s and ’60s, and was given the chance to attend Milton Academy as a scholarship student. At Milton, he found mentors to help him bridge the huge divide between his impoverished upbringing and the privileged setting of Milton, Harvard and Harvard Law. A bright, ambitious loner, he learned other lessons in possibility from kind teachers, first in gang-ridden Chicago public schools and then at Milton, where he was “saved by the love of adults.” Like the selfless church ladies of his childhood, they taught him “to love openly, generously, and conspicuously.” Provides a lot of insight into this gracious, thoughtful and accomplished man.

[Mary Schumann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the beginning of the book in which he talks about his childhood and the preconceived notions that he had about his life and his potential until he was exposed to other environments. His experiences are incredible and I think he really absorbed a lot of life lessons - which is the point of the book - but his story was much less interesting to read in his new, wealthy, successful, etc etc etc life than his beginnings. Still worth the time! I really appreciated one of his "lessons" about the fact that life is full of false choices, we don't have to reject one thing to belong to another. That if you are true to yourself and your values you can navigate a lot of bumpy paths. This was a quick, easy read.

[Andy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only time I ever saw Governor Patrick in person, he and several other political leaders were giving a press conference at the Boston Museum of Science.

What struck me most was his genuine appreciation of leaders from both sides of the political spectrum coming together to accomplish a worthwhile goal. He thanked members of both parties by name and praised them for working together so effectively.

In this book, I learned that he has a clear philosophy and vision based upon collaboration and idealism. As a teacher, I was most inspired and challenged by his appreciation for a few teachers in his childhood who saw his potential, encouraged him and loved him.

I will be a better teacher after reading this heart-warming memoir.

[ML · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because I had seen Charlie Rose interview him and was surprised by Patrick's temperate, intelligent views. His account of growing up in Chicago, his improbable journey to prep school in Boston then Harvard, and his self-discovering sojourn in Sudan are studded with wonderfully supportive and caring human beings. The political portion is not as satisfying, but this was worth the read!
My favorite quote is from his grandmother: "We aren't poor. We're just broke!" He absorbed that outlook and it has served him well.

[Latonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read although what help my interest much more than his story about boarding school was the story about meeting his wife (her past) and their beginning years in state government. As far as the boarding school aspect, I was hoping to read something fresh/different. Seems there are several stories/articles about inner city black male students who are accepted to boarding school. Perhaps I'll glean fresh insights from a female account, so I'm reading "Black Ice" next (beacuse it was recommended in one of the reviews of Patrick's book).

[Celt1958 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational. I hope it is not a prelude to the public eye like Dreams of my father. He seems genuine.He did not gild the lily regarding a difficult family life, and he did not seem to be looking for sympathy.mHe was able to overcome the difficulties without bitterness or ascribing fault. despite having jobs in corporate America his roots still seem to be geared toward lifting up the downtrodden.the only thing we did not see in his book was his short temper. A few stories of where this helped or hindered him would have added some balance.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Deval Patrick interviewed once...and thought about buying his book. I heard him interviewed a second time and immediately thereafter ordered the book.

There is some unevenness in the writing, but the story and the personality of the author are so compelling that they smooth over any rough bits.

I am full of admiration for this man, and for his wife.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly outstanding. A great African American political leader that has a background from everyday America. Education from public school to boarding school from Harvard to extensive overseas travel. His story extraordinary, his resume impressive but what speaks the most is his heartfelt message of hope for America. Very refreshing and a MUST read for all those wanting change in the USA.

[Nate Landers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes I believe!!! Whoa this book was stunningly inspiring. It's not a book about partisan politics or some pitch for re-election. “A Reason to Believe” is about grace and the call to exercise it with others. Governor Patrick shares his life lessons to inspire us to rise above adversity to achieve our true purpose.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a nice memoir of his early life and major accomplishments as Governor. I appreciated his candid sharing of growing up poor, his boarding school experience and his life lessons attributed to his international travel.

No one would have predicted he'd accomplish what he did in this lifetime, had they based his success on his upbringing.

[Emily Hunsicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally do not read political books, but I was inspired to read this after listening to Governor Patrick's interview on NPR. I was incredibly moved by his story and lessons on positive thinking. Your political leaning should not affect whether you enjoy this book.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very good. Not a political diatribe but a biography without and pomp or woe is me. Quite witty and I came away thinking I would like to know Deval Patrick better. I highly recommend and it only took three days to read, easy and fun.

[Carol Brusegar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Reason to Believe" is a great inspirational book by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. His memoir includes both personal and political aspects, and is filled with positivity that is so needed in our cynical, divisive times. I highly recommend it.

[Melissa Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this inspiring book. Deval Patrick gives us plenty to think about and makes me hopeful for the future. You can read my full review on my blog here: http://melissaconnolly.blogspot.com/2....

[Ani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great and inspiring story of triumph! I'm a teacher in an urban city and I want to give this book to all my students to show them that if you try hard enough, you can do anything. What a great story and well written. I definitely recommend this book!

[Delores Redmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book if was uplifting and had a lot of encouragement in it. This young man was determine to accomplish certain things in life and he did. I would recommend reading this book it will have you thinking, I can do anything only if I try.