Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America

by Luis A. Miranda Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda (Foreword), Richard Wolffe (Primary Contributor)

Essential reading from an expert voice our country Luis Miranda’s personal and political memoir reveals a deep understanding of Latino culture and building community to change our world for the better.
 
A veteran of New York and national politics, Luis Miranda embodies the relentless spirit of progress of American immigrants.
 
There is nobody on the Latino, New York, and national political scene with the breadth of experience, passion, and storytelling charm of Luis Miranda. In Relentless , he shares the poignant narrative of his life and career—from his early days as a radically minded Puerto Rican activist to his decades of political advice and problem solving.
 
We experience the thrill of the ascendency of Hamilton , created by his son Lin-Manuel. And we experience the suffering after the devastation of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria. Amid the triumphs, challenges, and ongoing hard work, Miranda examines what his experience reveals about our ever-changing politics, demographics, and society.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Latinx, Family, Immigration, Latino

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America is a fascinating memoir by Luis A. Miranda Jr. He narrates his audiobook superbly.

Miranda shares his journey as a child, young adult, activist, and political campaign manager. He is a staunch supporter of all marginalized groups, and he works incredibly hard to bring awareness and understanding of the issues.

Fun fact: he watched the movie, Sound of Music, over eighty times. He loves musicals! My family watched the Sound of Music so frequently that my sister is named Liesl after the oldest Von Trapp daughter.

Highly recommend!

[Leah K · Rating 3 out of 5]

For 40+ years, Luis Miranda Jr. has been a political strategist, adviser, and a proponent for Latino rights in the USA. Over the last decade he's become more known as the father of Lin-Manuel Miranda. But taking out his new fame due to his even more famous son, Miranda can stand on his own for all the amazing things he's done and continues to do within the political world, the USA, New York, and him home country of Puerto Rico. I know plenty about Lin-Manuel but it was nice to learn about Luis and his life that brought him here. I wish I had liked this book more but the writing sometimes felt halted and...preachy? I don't blame Miranda but the co-author (or ghost writer) which is a common tool with memoirs. It isn't the first memoir I've read by this co-author that made an interesting person come off as less than stellar which is a shame. Still worth a read if you are curious about Latino rights and politics within the USA.

[Myssi Whitfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miranda's memoir feels like two books. The first "part" describes his life growing up in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, and accepting a scholarship to study in New York City that led him to getting married and settling in Washington Heights. This is not a story about a scrappy immigrant who lifted himself with his bootstraps. Miranda gives credit to those who took a chance on him. He also admits that much of his good fortune is because he took risks but remained loyal to his mission in life to improve the lives of others less fortunate.

The second "part" of the book is treat for those who follow politics. It's an essential read for those interested in what is going on with the Latino community when it comes to politics. He draws on his past campaign experience to show that it is possible to unite Black and Latino voters and Latino voters of different backgrounds. It just takes work.

I was impressed that even though he admits to taking risks when making decisions, he's successful at fundraising because he has the data and success stories to back him up and prove that whatever he's working on is worthy of their support. One of those successful fundraising projects he mentions is his son's musical, "Hamilton."

*full disclosure: I received an ARC from #NetGalley for an honest and unpaid review.

[Sara Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this memoir. Luis's writing is evocative and I can feel him speaking to me through the pages. I think what Lin-Manuel says in the forward is very true - its many book in one. I felt like I understood his family better, and I understood how complicated it was to navigate the politics and bureaucracy to get things done.

[Munevver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read!

Luis A. Miranda Jr. writes about his life but more importantly his life in service of others. He writes no only about how he has helped the Hispanic community but how the Hispanic community needs help. Starting from his arrival in NYC to now, he explains how things have changed and how far we still have to go.

Very engaging read. It's wonderful to read about someone on the outskirts of politics who actually cares about the people they are helping. What a fantastic person. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about him.

Thank you to Netgally and Hachette Books for sending me an ARC of this ebook.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lin-Manuel Miranda was the one I thought of when I put this on hold on Libby. I want to get better acquainted with Hamilton and the music. I admire that composer; I'm not yet in love with the musical like everyone else. Still, the picture on the front of the book should have given me a clue. This guy has to be older than the Lin-Manuel I saw on a talk show. No. Luis A. Miranda Jr. is Lin-Manuel's father.

There is a lot to learn from this man and his son. Their passions lead their lives. Music, acting, movies, and stage plays inspired the father. And they were transferred to the rest of the family. This is the part of the memoir I loved the most.

Learning about Puerto Rico and the differences in types of Hispanics cleared many questions I had over the years. And I learned a lot about different types of activism to help others. But here is where I started disconnecting. Was it me or the hours at night I was listening? Before long, I was lost in a sea of politics. Still, I found the enthusiasm Mr. Miranda Jr. displayed during these parts at least made me pay attention. Whether or not I agree didn't matter. It was inspiring to feel his spirit.

[Debbie Smetherham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading Relentless I knew who Luis Miranda Jr was, of course. He’s Lin-Manuel’s dad! I already knew that he was so much more than that, but I was glad to learn just how much.

Some of my reactions during reading included:
This guy is smart,
This guy is driven,
This guy is tireless,
This guy is generous,
This guy is selfless,
This guy is tough,
This guy is inspiring,
This guy is exhausting.
This guy is most definitely relentless!

This book was a fascinating portrait of a life full of purpose and incredible achievements - and he’s not done yet!
I feel privileged to have learnt more about Luis and the people in his life, and I highly recommend this memoir to anyone interested in interesting people.

[Julissa Sofía · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have misjudged sir Miranda. He’s an agent of change and “see the bigger picture”. Definitely a guy that gets things done and fights for what he thinks it’s right. He’s story is actually inspiring. Left me reflecting on some political issues while appreciating a new perspective.

[Delores Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing a bit about the life and journey of Luis Miranda, Jr, I expected this book to be an interesting read, but it far exceeded all expectations! Luis invites us into the intimate details of his early life, his progression as a young adult, and takes us along on his journey from Puerto Rico to New York. We learn about his exposure to politics and the arts and how he went from being simply interested to becoming a successful leader in both areas. Luis’ love of his family shines through on every page, in every story.

We are truly blessed to have this book in the world!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook version of this wonderful memoir, and I’m so glad I did. Luis has lived an incredible life and accomplished so much from humble beginnings, and the impact of that shines even more in hearing him tell this fascinating story himself.

As a non-American with not a great deal of interest in politics, I’ve learned far more about the workings of US political campaigning, fundraising and the ongoing struggles of the Latino communities and the world surrounding them than I ever knew, just from this book. But even so, Luis’ distinct and witty narrative voice, his insight into some of the decisions and experiences he’s faced, and the multitude of worldly observations and heartwarming family anecdotes in this memoir kept me engaged and entertained right to the very end - even when the end took something of an unexpected turn (but no spoilers here)! It’s especially admirable how Luis and the Miranda family continue striving to improve the lives of their communities and support advances in the arts, letting empathy lead the way forward.

A special mention to Lin-Manuel’s incredibly endearing foreword - definitely now understanding where Mr. Non-Stop inherits that restless (sorry, relentless!) spirit from - and the attached collection of photos & commentary at the end of the audiobook, which serves as the perfect accompaniment to this inspiring journey :)

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, like I imagine many others did, developed an interest in Luis Miranda due to my interest in his famous son. When I saw that he would be discussing a book he had written in nearby Miami, I drove down and purchased a copy prior to the event. (I then went immediately back and bought another copy, in Spanish, because I had recently been trying to read in Spanish to practice my embarrassing grasp on my native language). As I waited for the event to start, I picked up the Spanish edition and dove in. I hadn't gotten very far before he came out, but I had already found myself drawn to his writer's voice.

I immediately fell in love with his charm, his wit, his humour, and his convictions. His storytelling was - if you will pardon the pun - enchanting, and I was excited to continue with the story.

I found my brain struggling to read in Spanish but also reluctant to switch to the much-easier-to-read English version, and the book got set aside as I tried to read all the other things I was needing to get through this year. However, as the end of the year approached, I resolved that I was going to finish this book before the end of the year. I pulled up the audiobook (in English, because my attention span could not handle the Spanish version right now) and listened to nine hours of his storytelling with only a few short breaks in between.

What a treat! It was educational, entertaining, and heartwarming, and I found myself braying with laughter at times because of his audacity and his wit. Added bonus, I was enchanted by his accent and the few Spanish phrases peppered in. I loved hearing about his family - the one he was born into and the one that he made - and I was fascinated by the political acumen he possesses. I had no idea.

I'm a little saddened that I spoilered myself with the book by not getting through the Spanish edition first, but this is a book that I definitely want to revisit. And once I read it in Spanish, I can then listen to the Spanish narration as well, because who can get enough of the voices of the Mirandas?

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luis Miranda is such an engaging and compelling author that I am now both reading AND listening to this book all over again. At times I feel as though I'm hanging out in a coffee shop with Luis, listening to his fascinating life story. Other times, I am transported to a provactive contemporary political science course taught by activist to the core Dr. Miranda, feeling grateful that my notes were recorded / transcribed so that I can digest it all more thoroughly.
At one point I felt that I was IN Puerto Rico with Señor Miranda (Boricua Extraordinaire) after Hurricane Maria, understanding much more than I thought I did about the devastation, aftermath and recovery efforts impacting his beloved island. And then there were heart-to-heart moments (along with hilarious ones) where I felt like a Miranda family insider, sitting in the kitchen, watching Chef Luis cook.
What a ride! The book is full of honesty, insight, inspiration and, always, love. Luis Miranda is a stellar example of someone living the Golden Rule on a daily basis, and this book is a STELLAR read.

[Marjolein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever wonder how some people get so many things done in their life, despite having the same amount of hours in a day* as you do? You will after reading this book.

(*To be fair, I do sleep slightly more than Luis Miranda mentions doing, but I'm pretty sure that getting even less sleep than I already do would, in my case, result in getting less done, not more.)

This book is not just a memoir; it gave me - a Dutch woman who thought she knew a fair bit about American politics - new insights into the way the American political process works, and the importance of knowing your voters.

Similarly, it provided me with a more nuanced understanding of the Latino identity/identities, and it did so in a very accessible way.

Miranda's voice is clear and strong, and his personality and convictions shine through on every page.

"Relentless" was a very entertaining read, and much more educational than I had anticipated!

[Linda Do · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relentless is an inspiring memoir that chronicles the remarkable life and career of the author. Known as the father of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda Jr. shares his own impressive journey from his roots in Puerto Rico to his impactful work in New York City. His narrative highlights his relentless pursuit of excellence and his dedication to social justice and community empowerment. Filled with personal anecdotes and broader social insights, this memoir is a testament to the power of perseverance and advocacy. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who claims his father is the true relentless one, humorously refers to himself as “laid-back" in comparison.
"Relentless" is a must-read for anyone looking for inspiration and practical lessons in resilience and making a difference in the world.

[Monet Deans Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you put your admiration for a person and how he has shared his INCREDIBLE life into WORDS?
I have known that Luis Miranda was NON-STOP, from the first time I heard and read about him, then met him, but never knew how RELENTLENSS he is until I read this book! He has had such a fascinating and motivating life and is continuing to show he still does. From the forward by his son, Lin-Manuel Miranda, until the acknowledgements, each word I read ( I read the book at night) or heard (listened to the audiobook as I drove, and I felt that Luis was right there talking to me) gives a deeper understanding of the political world, (without boring you to tears) and of his proud Puerto Rican heritage.
GRACIAS LUIS!

[Karin Österman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very satisfied with the book. It describes very well what a person's personal journey looks like from Puerto Rico to creating a life in New York. It is also how a political journey to highlight Lation's right in the United States and how different needs different people have after their experiences in different countries. What Luis describes in his book is both a personal testament to the importance of his family and a personal testament to what he has done in politics in New York but now across the United States. I listened to the audiobook version and Luis Miranda has an excellent voice, and there is a little surprise in the audiobook as well.
Important book and voice in these times.
This is writing over Google Translation - Engligsh is not my first language

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda for a while and discovered his vivacious father through his work. Since I’ve learned of Luis Miranda Jr., I’ve admired his seemingly vivacious spirit and tenacity. He always seems so genuine. I appreciated this book for what it was. He wasn’t trying by to be frilly or introspective. He talked about what is important to him and keeps it simple. Some of the politics got to be a little much for me but it all made sense in the context of Miranda’s life and story.

Overall, a solid biography. Not the best I’ve read but also not the worst. I’d recommend it!

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm still not sure if this was a personal autobiography, a professional autobiography, or if there was some subtle overarching message about Latino organizing and power. What I do know is that this reinforced the notion that Luis Miranda is a brilliant man who has done a lot, and thinks that of himself as well. This narrative could have used a LOT more editing for coherence, readability and tone. Unfortunately this reads as a self-indulging rambling with rare moments of insight and humor, and I wouldn't recommend it.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued to read this book because the forward is written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Yes- That Lin-Manuel Miranda! His father, Miranda, Jr. writes about his start in advocacy efforts and life in Puerto Rico and coming to New York City. I appreciated learning more about this family; but given the current political climate in this county. I really value his insight on how politicians can reach the Hispanic voter.

*****I received a free ARC of this book from the Hachette Books in exchange for an honest review.*** 

[Williamsworks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I am lucky to know Luis and his voice comes jumping off the page. The stories are fun and real and so important. Understanding the Latino experience in America is central to understanding our future. I am so grateful for this fun filled, uplifting and important book. Thanks Luis (and Richard!)

[Mika Kalapatapu]

Relentless was the book I didn’t know I needed to get through 2024. Honest, compelling, powerful and gripping - Luis Miranda takes the reader on a journey from Puerto Rico to NYC and shares his life, family, experience as dad to the famous Lin-Manuel, and his relentless pursuit of bringing communities together to drive progress. Latino voters are poised to make their voices heard in the 2024 election and beyond which this book explores in a gripping and insightful way. It’s worth reading for anyone dreaming of the America we all want to live in.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This insightful and engaging book is a worthy addition to anyone’s summer reading list. For theater fans Mr. Miranda is the father of Lin Manuel Miranda. For political science folk he is better known for his decades of service advising politicians and nonprofits

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! I feel like I know Luis, and the entire Miranda family, so well. He explains his life and his logic and everything so well, that I feel entirely illiterate writing this review - my words simply do not do it justice. 100% worth a read (or five).

[Janilyn Kocher]

An interesting look at the life of Luis Miranda.
I didn’t agree with some of his opinions or observations he made in the book but that’s ok.
Thanks to Hachette Books for the early copy.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chose to read this to learn more about the father of the genius Lin-Manuel Miranda. But I learned a lot about Latinx culture and politics. Very interesting!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy 10 stars. 💙

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Andijkl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great auto biography.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a life. Great storytelling.

[Paulatics · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because he is a down-to-earth regular person with a great education and loads of experience. I saw him in person in Raleigh and he was terrific. And, he is Lin-Manuel’s father. And I know all the words to Hamilton.