Finding Fish: A Memoir

by Antwone Quenton Fisher, Mim E Rivas

Soon to be a major motion picture starring and directed by Denzel Washington, Finding Fish is the memoir of Antwone Fisher's miraculous journey from abandonment and abuse to liberation, manhood, and extraordinary success -- a modern-day Oliver Twist. Baby Boy Fisher -- as he was documented in his child welfare caseworkers' reports -- was raised in institutions from the moment of his birth in prison to a single mother. After beginning his life in an orphanage, Antwone was placed in a temporary foster home until, around age two, he was transferred to a second foster home. It was there, over the next thirteen years, that he endured emotional abandonment and physical abuse. Removed from this foster home not long before his sixteenth birthday, Antwone found fleeting refuge in a boys' reform school but was soon thrust into the nightmare of homelessness. Though convinced he was unwanted and unworthy, Fish, as he came to be known, refused to allow his spirit to be broken. Instead, he became determined to raise himself, to listen to social workers and teachers who intervened on his behalf, and to nurture a romantic heart along with a scathing sense of humor and a wondrous imagination -- all of which sustained him with big dreams of a better day. Fatefully, just as Antwone's life on the streets hit rock bottom, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he remained for the next eleven years. During that time, Fish became a man of the world, raised by the Navy family he created for himself. Finding Fish shows how, out of this unlikely mix of deprivation and hope, an artist was born -- first as the child who painted the feelings his words dared not speak, then as a poet and storyteller who would eventually become one of Hollywood's most well-paid, sought-after screenwriters. But before he ascends those lofty steps, Antwone's story takes us from the Navy to his jobs as a federal correctional officer and then a security guard at Sony Pictures in Hollywood. In its climactic conclusion, the mystery of his identity is finally unraveled as Antwone returns to Cleveland to locate his mother's and father's surviving family members. A tumultuous and ultimately gratifying tale of self-discovery written in Fisher's gritty yet melodic literary voice, Finding Fish is an unforgettable reading experience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, African American, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, Fostering

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Fish was a book that my social worker MIL had around that she'd had to read for school, and suggested I read it, since I'm also a social work student. It sat around until I had a dry spell between library runs; I wasn't as interested as I wanted to be. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I had a messed up childhood myself, but I could relate to very little of Antwone's experiences (foster care, the 60's and 70's, African American culture, male perspective), but his voice is so strong and honest that it's impossible not to root for him as he builds his own moral compass from scratch and tries to find his way out of his abusive foster home. It's rarely about grotesque, gratuitous abuse (not never, just rarely), and more about a lack of love, support, or belonging. By the time he's out of the house and in the Navy, the book could say "And then he became a millionaire, and married a supermodel, and had five wonderful kids, and was waved by palm leaves and fed grapes all day" and you would keep reading just because the author is so genuine and likable, he deserves happiness and peace and it's truly enjoyable to read about him finding it. I tend to stay interested throughout the central struggle of a book and by the time it gets to the happily ever after, I'm thinking "Yeah, yeah, and then you were happy and blah blah blah, that's great," but this one, if he wrote another book about nothing but his happy life now, I'd read it.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually have an autographed copy of this book; fantastic memoir about overcoming abuse; he's from cleveland; he came and spoke at event i went to and i went to a book signing of his; amazing story; he talked about how the screenplay to this book (became the movie with Denzell) that he wrote was the first screenplay ever sold for more than 1 million dollars by an african american screenwriter

[Cherisa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fathered by a 23 year old man killed by a pregnant girlfriend who had a restraining order and two daughters by him already, and born posthumously in prison to an unwed teenage mother, Antwone starts life deeply disadvantaged. A ward of the state of Ohio from his birth, we get Antwone's story in two ways - from his own memories and from the pieces of the official record created by the dozen or more caseworkers assigned to him until he was released from state care at age 18.

In a story as brutal as it it hopeful, Antwone defies despair, defines resilience, and overcomes a bleak and heartbreaking childhood. He tells of the dysfunctional household and lack of any semblance of care and nurturing in the foster home he lived in most of his childhood and how easy it is to tear down a child and set foster children against each other though they suffer together. But we see how even small acts of kindness or thoughtfulness can impact a child deeply that they could remember something so small for so long, of teachers who helped along the way, of how the military can hone and polish discipline and skills in soldiers willing to submit to its methods, of how to come through homelessness and fear and hopelessness to a successful and productive life.

Beautifully wrought.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antwone's early life is a filled with textbook examples of causes which lead to a life of crime, drugs and poverty. He grew in a foster home where it was made apparent to him he was just a means to get money from the state and nothing more. He grew up in an impoverished Cleveland neighborhood where he was treated to beatings, molestation, slave labor and psychological intimidation within his foster home. Yet, through this and other events in his early life, Antwone was able to escape the life he was raised in to find and become what was missing in his life earlier on.

This is a moving book about the author that shows the importance of perseverance through adverse diversity. The book starts off slow and really builds the background story of Antwone so once you have adjusted for the pace of the book you will certainly enjoy it.

While reading this book I felt a sense of pride in getting to know someone like Antwone even though it's only through a book. Hearing his life story inspires me to push myself everyday and not just accept the situation you are in, it is up to you create your own future, not others.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Fish by Antwone Quenton Fisher is a heart wrenching story about a young boy, Antwone Fisher, and his journey from being put into foster homes at birth, he goes from feeling unwanted, and unloved, to feeling important, and meaningful to others.

Antwone was originally put into an orphanage after birth, but was eventually switched to two different foster homes. The first one was only a short term, temporary foster while the other one housed him for around 13 years of his life. This foster home created many difficulties for Antwone to overcome throughout his time living at the house with a recurring theme of physical and psychological abuse, he was sexually abused, whipped, and beaten as punishment for things he did. The theme isolation also played a role in the development of this story because he had no one to rely on. He was on his own. Antwone escaped his misery from the house by enlisting in the navy. A Navy reimen soon helped him overcome his troublesome childhood.

“With Dwight, everything was external and physical. With me, it was all on the inside. I was hands-in-pockets, watchful, quiet, and hidden tears.” (Fisher 77). This quote represents exactly what the whole book is about. The troubles that were happening at the foster home played an important role in the development of Antwone. He learned to keep things to himself and deal with situations without showing any emotion. This book was an easy read. It gives you a perspective of what it would have been like to live in that time period and in a foster home. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about the transformation from hardships to success. This is a well written book.

[Taylor Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow. This book is incredibly beautiful. It had me in a chokehold right from the beginning all the way to the end. It will definitely be a story that I will remember forever. It also made me very very excited to become a social worker and hopefully be a great support system for someone in the future.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book in a down period of life, and found his real-life overcoming story challenging and motivating. He wasn’t crying over spilled milk or excusing his bad choices by blaming his background. He was grateful for teachers and Navy mentors who found praiseworthy traits, and the last scene he shares (blueberry pancakes with his daughter) makes it clear that you really can come out of a wretched background without letting it remain your reality.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sad powerful story of self discovery. Page after page I wanted Fish to get out of his messed up predicament.

It's sad how someone can make your life a living hell for no reason . Then feel noway about it. I hope those who hurt , used, abused , and lied to him get what they DESERVE. The movie was better but this is his memoir so I'll respect it.

[Neil Mudde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely inspirational, Antwone, had a rough start in life to put it very mildly, you need to read the story and be astonished that he survived, being born in Cleveland, surrounded by gangs, drugs the works, The woman who takes him in as a foster child is totally deranged, in spite of the face that this is a Mininster of the Gospel's house, with the nausiating show of playing religion on Sunday, totally abusing her foster children, unbelievable how she was able to make the case workers believe all was well, and she did not need those frequent visits to her home by them, what kind of case workers were these, but thank goodness there finally was on Miss Nees, who was not will to be hoodwinked, she realized how brilliant Antwone was the great possibilities he had in life if he was willing to take that route, and he did, this is a wonderful book, filled with insights, how desperate his childhood was, what do we know as a 4-5-6 etc year old child, imagine being tied to a pole in the basement by that frigging witch, were was her gospel preaching husband gimme a break, did he have blinders on
I could go on telling you about the pain and sadness Antwone experiences, how he survived is a testimony to a mans spirit there is an insight as well that during the civil rights movements, there were black people who considered the movement run by "troublemakers"
GET THE BOOK READ IT, BE INSPIRED!!!

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gritty but uplifting memoir, about Mr. Fisher’s horrifying but all too real and abusive childhood. From orphan, to homeless young man who transforms himself into a Marine, where he eventually learns discipline and self acceptance, to a celebrated poet and writer who finds his story in the hands of Hollywood royalty, this is a good read. However, my one minor gripe is that Fisher could have expanded on his time in the Navy, rather than reiterating consistent episodes of abuse that Mizz Pickens inflicts on him. But by all accounts, it’s still a solid piece of non fiction that will inspire young readers about its themes of perseverance and adversity.

The students I teach often cite this as one of their favorite books, and I am always glad at how moved they are after having read something that they’ve connected to. The 2002 film starring Derek Luke in a star making performance as Antwone is wonderful. Also starring Denzel Washington as Antwone’s mentor, he directed a film that is filled with warmth, nuance and truly a lot of love.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. A difficult read at times. The story has a lot of press as inspirational and uplifting, and indeed it is both of those things in an absolutely amazing way. The book has a dark, disturbing side that is devastatingly sad..there is no way of getting around it. It is devastating. The shine of a bright future that eventually arrives cannot take away from the pure sadness, not only for Antwone Fisher but for the other children in his household. It is very important to learn about what can happen to children placed in foster care. and it is very important to hear the story through the eyes of a child who has been through it.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to see Mr. Fisher speak when I was working at the University at Buffalo Foundation. Once I heard his story I had to read his book. Wow.... I am always taken with people who can take there life of crap and turn it into less crap! It is so easy for people to fall into the negative way of life. Very positive inspiring story!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antwone Fisher beautifully writes his memoir, full of both tragedy and triumph. His story is an amazing one. Skillfully weaving emotion into his writing as he writes about the music he begins to love during his adolescense, his descriptive profiles of the people in his life, his personification of the oceans during his time in the Navy. How he writes about his foster brother Dwight is incredibly poignant If only understanding the nature of the relationship as an adult writing about his childhood, one is tempted to believe that Fisher had these notions even as a child. Even though Fisher undergoes some torment from Dwight, he understands the nature of their circumstances and doesn't hold anything against him, even going as far as to acknowledge his intelligence, and the effects of how being in the wrong environment can be limiting.

Fisher is not vengeful in his writing despite the many horrific circumstances he finds himself in, due to no fault of his own. He is reflective of his past and also what it is taught him, and what his then present situations were teaching him. His life is really quite the miracle.

[Rotosca Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a powerful memoir. Mr. Fisher is so strong, intelligent, and resilient! He was born with so many odds against him & he excelled! He didn’t give up on himself, even though I know it was hard not to.
I know this sounds strange, but I would have loved for the Picketts to have been interviewed, I just don’t understand why be so evil! They shouldn’t have gotten away with this. Also the social worker, what happened with them. I hate to hear any child having to go through such trauma.

[Debbie Savoini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dramatic story of Antwone Fisher's life and successes

[Chase]

Finding Fish written by Antwone Fisher
- The main characters are, Antwone Quenton Fisher, and Isabelle Pickett.
- The story is about Antwon fisher a foster child who is put in a foster home at the age of two and is looked after by the Picketts. He lives with the Picketts in Glenville Cleveland for thirteen and a half years. He went through many different social workers not understanding the mental and physical abuse the Pickett family was putting him through. He is kicked out of the Picketts house and ends up homeless. By the age of sixteen he is put in the Metzenbaum Children Center and after being discriminated against because of his race he moves to Pensylvania and is placed in George Junior Republic Institution. By the time he is eighteen and is no longer under care of the state he wonders around the streets not knowing what to do next. Then he finds out about the navy and enlists. After serving in the navy he goes back to Clevelend and then moves to Los Angeles where he raises a family.
- the conflict is Antwone trying to survive through the Picketts abuse and making sure they don't change him mentally or physically with abuse. The other conflict is him trying to find out who he is and get some answers because Miss Pickett didn't tell him his background or how he got to live with them. Miss Pickett also threatens him if he tells his social workers the truth. He avoids their mental abuse because he used his imagination to escape what was happening at home to avoid the physicall abuse he stands up for himself when he is older and stronger than Miss Pickett so she can not beat him anymore. To find out who he is he tells the social workers the truth about the Pickett family. The social workers tell him what he wants to know about himself. Another conflict is him being a foster child trying to find a place for himself in the world. By having better adult guidance at the institutions he went to when he is older. Because of the adults at these institutions and social workers he is able to get a job in the navy and afterwards finds a place to live.
- This book is an amazing book. The book makes you realize how lucky you are and have a different perspective on life. The book makes you more grateful of what's around you. The book is funny and sad at times making it very intresting and impossible to stop reading.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the memoir of a young man's life growing up as a ward of the state of Ohio in the '60's and '70's, and how he overcame the challenges in his upbringing to become a successful adjusted adult. The story of his childhood is heart wrenching. His mother shot and killed his father (in self defense) two months before Antwone is born, and his mother is incarcerated. He is placed in foster care with an abusive and dysfunctional family led by the manipulative and heartless woman of the house. The atrocities Antwone is subjected to go undetected by the more than a dozen caseworkers who at some time have responsibility for Antwone's "file." Most of the caseworkers are deceived by the foster mother, and little Antwone is manipulated horribly and falls silent. His young life and circumstances are dotted by glimmers of hope through the occasional attentive teacher, but no one ever figures out what is going on in his home life. By the time he turns 18 and is no longer under the State's care, and his foster family is ready to dump him, he is unceremoniously booted into the world with nowhere to go, no skills, no support structure, nothing. Yeah, so, not surprisingly, life doesn't exactly improve for Antwone at that point, but he finds a way out of homelessness and escapes what appears to be the inevitable permanent downward spiral. He finds some solace and much needed structure in the military, yet struggles there for a time before he reaches a point where finally someone listens. He is able to confront his past, recognize and resolve his feelings, and move on with life as a productive adult. He is able to make a connection to his long lost relatives and reconcile his past.

Young Antwone's life makes a damning statement of the foster care system. What a mess, it is a wonder this man was able to survive at all. We should all be ashamed this state of affairs is allowed to exist, but in an overwhelmed and dysfunctional system it is not a stretch to imagine this type of thing happens today. Antwone emerged from this successfully, but you know a lot of people don't. Makes you wonder what scars people are carrying around inside. Compelling story, hard to read at times, but bravely told and incredibly well written.

[Chana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antwone learned to write, and I think I have forgotten how. I am that "without words" after reading Finding Fish. It touched on a lot of potential sore spots with me and I am still leery to poke at my psyche and see how sore these sore spots are.
Antwone is a ward of the state of Ohio. He was born to a mother who was in jail and unable to care for him. His father was already dead although he would not know that for many years. He was basically told nothing about his background by the state, and his foster mother just kept reiterating that he and the other foster children, Dwight and Flo, were not part of the family and were not wanted. She calls them "nigga" all the time (she herself is black and from the south) and tells them how worthless they are and how no one wants them, that is why they are at her house. They are never given gifts(including Christmas) or even the money that the state allocates for their allowance. The punishment is often corporeal and even more frequently psychological. The state is unaware of all this of course, but as time goes on there are suspicions that all is not as it should be. It doesn't help that case workers are switched so often.
Antwone is lucky in some ways though, partly due to his personality, partly due to various mentors and teachers. The story ends with him at home with his wife and 2 year old daughter; a happy, successful, loved and loving man.
Unlike a lot of unhappy/abusive childhood memoirs, Antwone makes his adult life as he sorts things out and makes a success of himself, very interesting. The book is good through the last word.
Identity is a touchy subject, especially for children who are not kept by their blood families. As an adopted child I can tell you that that identity thing pops up regularly along with the feelings of worthlessness, rejection and sadness. I really admire Antwone, he is a powerhouse and totally made a success of his life. Very inspiring.

[Johanes Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book..... Baby Boy Fisher--as he was documented in his child welfare caseworkers' reports--was raised in institutions from the moment of his birth in prison to a single mother. After beginning his life in an orphanage, Antwone was placed in a temporary foster home until, around age two, he was transferred to a second foster home. It was there, over the next thirteen years, that he endured emotional abandonment and physical abuse. Removed from this foster home not long before his sixteenth birthday, Antwone found fleeting refuge in a boys' reform school but was soon thrust into the nightmare of homelessness.

Though convinced he was unwanted and unworthy, Fish, as he came to be known, refused to allow his spirit to be broken. Instead, he became determined to raise himself, to listen to social workers and teachers who intervened on his behalf, and to nurture a romantic heart along with a scathing sense of humor and a wondrous imagination--all of which sustained him with big dreams of a better day. Fatefully, just as Antwone's life on the streets hit rock bottom, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he remained for the next eleven years. During that time, Fish became a man of the world, raised by the Navy family he created for himself.

[Little · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the typical story, I suppose. Most of these memoirs are “How I pulled myself up from dire circumstances to be the world’s greatest at everything.” Finding Fish is “How I pulled myself up from dire circumstances to become a pretty well adjusted guy functioning fairly well in broader society.” Not so dramatic, but more of a reachable aspiration if you are yourself trying to climb beyond the reach of a terrible childhood.

Practically speaking, the writing was uneven. The combination of sesquipedalian vocabulary and ubiquitous slang (i.e. that dude had such mendacity) made me feel unsure what the author’s real voice sounded like. Over all, not a bad read, but not worth picking up again. Sorry, Fish.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't do it. There was a day, because of my professional training, that I felt that I had a responsibility (to the REAL child victime ivolved) to endure this type of story (Like "A Child Called It", "There Are No Children Here", etc). Terrible stories of abuse.

But I just can't do it anymore. Maybe it's that I'm saturated with these stories from my work with clients, or maybe it's because I am a mom of 3 kids of my own now... but I just couldn't finish. I got to the first story of him being molested by the backwards 20-something babysitter, and that's all I could do. I feel the same heartbreak for the child involved. Just too heavy for me now.

[Lennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare occasions in which I like both the movie AND the book! In this memoir, Antwone Fisher discusses his difficult childhood and how he was raised in a foster care home. When he was a teenager, he became homeless before enlisting in the Navy. It wasn't until he was in the Navy, that he started to turn his life around. I thought this was a truly inspiring book! I felt the author could have taken the wrong path very easily, with all that he had been through, and so the fact that he became a successful producer/screenwriter is truly remarkable!

[Ellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when I lived in Portland, but I reread it when it was assigned for a class at MSASS, and it had all new meaning now that I live in Cleveland. The author tells the story of his own childhood, which was spent in foster care in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, and his subsequent quest for identity and belonging as an adult. This is a very powerful book. Things end very well for the author, and he acknowledges how fortunate he is compared to so many.

[Nyasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book and i think its great because it takes you back to old times. Also its about abuse.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story about an unlikely boy growing up in foster homes making something of himself. Good read.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read and a great movie.

[Aanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel Finding Fish focuses on the young life of Antwone Fisher (known as “Fish”) during the most the most threatening challenges he’d ever have to face. From being parentless, to homeless, homeless, to mentally and physically abused. Antwone reflects on his troubled reality, and in some way teaches his audience that there’s always a brighter side to every bad situation. The this story rose to fame when Denzel Washington, who not only directed the movie, but took on a major role in the movie Antwone Fisher, in 2002 with Derek Luke as the young Antwone. Some may say that the major motion picture was a great success, though the actual aspects of his story was definitely dramatized to keep the movie goers coming into watch this heartfelt biopic. Still capturing the true essence, you’ll still find within both the book and the movie. what Antwone actually deals with while trying to figure out how to become a man.


Ninth grade was the first time I had ever been exposed to the author Antwone Quenton Fisher. I didn’t completely understand why I was receiving a free book from a college who thought that me; a girl. Could possibly relate to the bold title; A Boy Should Know How To Tie A Tie: And Other Lessons for Succeeding in Life. Trust and believe me, this didn’t mean that I had any poor judgment of the choice of the book, because I ultimately did believe that maybe, just maybe… This story could actually be an effective outlet for young people like myself. After reading Finding Fish, and recollecting back on his “How To” book, Antwone surely knew that his moral purpose in life was to spread messages throughout the young audience, that he seems to be reaching. What definitely motivates his purpose is his unbelievable story of him being a child who had no further guidance to him being able to guide the generation that has become relevant today.


Being born in a prison, and automatically put in an orphanage. Antwone Fisher’s lifestyle always shifted in bad directions. Though it wasn’t his fault, growing up came with the difficulties of caseworkers, foster homes, and a lot of moving around. Over the next several years (or more) Antwone suffered from an abundance of mental and physical abuse from his foster mother and her daughter. After leaving their home where he had knew other foster, he seeked for a better home to be in. For sometime Antwone found himself living on the streets and figured that it was time to do something different with his life.Still struggling with the unrevealing reality of being alone, he then turned to the military, and enlisted in the Navy. Throughout his service he traveled and became educated on different cultures, learning new languages, and living in new places. After almost a decade of his time in the Navy he is mentored by a fellow doctor who helps him come with the anger and aggression that his childhood brought. He meets the love of his life, and eventually overcomes his past, and by finding ways to move forward. Now, 57 years old with two books and two films out. Antwone still studies the philosophical trail of man to boy.

Basically the book was his life written down to supplement a young person's way of thinking. If Antwone Fisher didn't reach his goal then he'd lose his purpose of writing and producing films. But that isn't quite the case. He's won awards for both books and films. I can't completely say that he had my full undivided attention when reading his story. I was very well aware of my slight disconnection to the overall theme of this drama. Not saying that a young woman like myself couldn't endure the horrific challenges that Mr.Fisher dealt with. Yet saying; this isn't the ideal book for a reader such as myself. Unless you are quite interested in the actual events that wasn't shown in the film, then of course you have detail. It still wouldn't make any difference in a personal since. Just extra words and more visualizations that come to mind. Hopefully it does touch the audience regardless of how they take Antwone's perspective in. Like I said earlier, it certainly leaves a practical message to readers that might feel misguided.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful read. This man has experienced so much isolation, abandonment, and yet still seeks the positive in every situation. Fish has overcome so much adversity, it was often unbelievable. I just can't imagine how he endured! Quickly entering the foster system after birth, he finally landed in a home with several other foster children under the care of Miss Picket. Verbally and physically abusive, Miss Picket was also manipulative and emotionally abusive. She often lied to social workers to maintain the premise that she was doing great work with her foster children which enabled her to continue to receive money for their care. While other foster children found freedom from Miss Picket, Fish stayed with her until he was 17, when he was finally kicked out and sent back to CPS. After living on the streets, he finally decided to enlist in the navy. He spent 11 years in the navy: traveling the world, finding himself, understanding his gifts and finding ways to use those gifts. Finding Fish is a story of survival, eternal optimism, and hope. Antwone Q Fisher is an incredible human being with an amazing attitude about life. A fantastic read we should all spend time with to better understand the human condition and the reality of different experiences.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Antwone Fisher was born to a single mother in prison. She gave him up and he was put into the foster system where he was placed in the Pickett home in Cleveland. He lived there from age 2-15. Mrs. Pickett treated her foster children like second class citizens compared to her own children. She was verbally and physically abusive. Antwone had a few different foster siblings during this time. He never felt he was part of the family, despite Mrs. Pickett's assurances that he always would be, because she treated him so badly. Mr. Pickett was a minister and largely absent from the raising of all of the children. At the age of 16, Antwone was finally removed from the only home he remembered and taken to a boys' reform school. He flourished at the school but was turned out onto the street when he aged out at 18. He soon found himself living on the streets and knew that he had to make a major change in his life. He enlisted in the Navy where he flourished again. He had some great leaders that helped to shape his future. This autobiography is a story of hope. Antwone was able to pull himself up, with some help, from a poor start in life to find success, love, and happiness.

[David Miraldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of resilience. Born in prison while his mother was incarcerated, Antwone Fischer grew up in a foster home where he was the victim of both verbal and physical abuse. Belittled by his foster mother, he was determined to prove that she was wrong and make a name for himself. Despite his wretched home life, several people intervened in his life, most notably an elementary school teacher and several social workers. After experiencing homelessness after he left the foster system, Antwone enlisted in the navy where the discipline and attention from several superior officers helped him grapple with and come to grips with his earlier life.

One wonders what in Antwone's inner-being allowed him to overcome his cruel childhood. He obviously is a very intelligent person, but it is probably his imagination that allowed him to gain needed respites during which he could escape from the misery of his foster parents' abuse and neglect.

I also enjoyed the book because I am from the Cleveland area and knew about some of the places that Antwone mentioned in his memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed the book