The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours

by Marian Wright Edelman

A beautiful Mother's Day and gift edition of the number one New York Times bestseller--from the founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. "I recommend The Measure of Our Success to everyone concerned about the future of our children."--Bill Cosby.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Self Help, Education, Memoir, Inspirational, Family

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Marian Wright Edelman is an American activist for children's rights. She has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. She is founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund. She influenced leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Hillary Clinton.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently rereading this book... I encouraged one of my great aunts to read this book when it first came out. Her notion of success was based on what college her kids and grandkids went to (most went to Ivy Leagues) and/or how much money they were making (usually a lot). Sharing this book with her was my way of saying what I thought mattered most in life. Ironically, she ended up ordering over a dozen to give to her grandkids.

[Camille Dent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great short read. The author is definitely passionate about what she advocates and presents it efficiently. She is good about giving a realistic perspective, and everything she addresses can be applied to interactions with people in general, not just parent-child relationships.

[Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Measure of Our Success is still replete with wisdom some 26 years after publication. Marian Wright Edelman reminds us that, "service is the rent we pay for living," and "half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important," and also, "One single decade’s profligacy has changed our nation from a lender to debtor." This is an excellent book to give as a gift to graduates and their parents. It is written in the format of 25 life lessons for her children, and her themes touch on morality, work ethics, education, politics, religion, and more, in an inoffensive, nonjudgmental manner. I can't even remember how this book was added to my to-read list, but it certainly came at the perfect time, as my oldest heads off to college.

At a time when the political arena can seem senseless, world events appear alarming, and our youth exudes entitlement more than ever, this book hits the nail on the head with ideas of sound judgment and common sense.

https://mamasgottaread.blogspot.com/

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book the year in came out in 1992. It is written by Marian Wright Edelman who was the first black woman admitted to the Mississippi bar and founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. She is also a graduate of Yale Law School. I loved her wisdom she shares in her "25 lessons for life" that she learned from her parents and taught her own sons. The message is timeless.

[Daniel L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Message We Need to Pass Along to the Next Generation

Drawing from inspirational experiences from her own childhood, Dr. Edelman talks to (not at) her own children, urging them, in whatever occupation they may choose, to serve the community at large. This is also a book for adults (parents, educators, and religious and community leaders) to read, to live a life of principles and a desire to somehow make the world a better place - in short, to serve as the strong, positive role model that so many of our children have had to do without.
The book is also an indictment on how American society and political leadership do a great job at paying lip service to the needs of children but fails miserably in their actions. Complaining, however, is not enough; if children are to grow up to be conscientious and caring citizens, adults must set a good example.

It's a small book with a big heart and a great message. I strongly recommend it to anyone who cares about children and social justice in general. These sentiments would inspire Ms. Edelman's excellent column in The Huffington Post, which I follow religiously.

[to read or to read more · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little self-help book is filled with timeless wisdom. The Author designed this as a compassionate message for parents who are trying to raise moral children, but I think this applicable to everyone in every stage of life. As a young adult this helped me to re-evaluate and recognise the importance of being a moral person, and a good citizen.
It’s a great reminder on the importance of everyone’s presence and purpose, regardless of how little or big we think our input is in the grand scheme of things. The main centrepiece of this book is the 25-lessons of life, which enables us to live a life of purpose and not of ignorance. It’s a small book that could be read in a few hours or less.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readability 8. Rating 6. One of V’s books. Subtitled, a letter to my children and yours. For the part of the book that she stuck to the suggestion of the subtitle, it was excellent – well-conceived, wise, and thoughtful. Edelman does not preach, and is quite cognizant of her own failures, but still conveys a powerful message. When she moves beyond this and into suggestions for political action, her message loses its force. Much of what she suggests is simplistic or reflects an ignorance or disregard of other facets of complex issues. Fortunately, since this takes up a relatively small part of this thin work, it does not undermine its overall value.

[Lecy Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up for the comparative media studies class I'm taking and I'm glad because I wouldn't have known about it otherwise. This is a short collection of essays in the form of a letter to Edelman's children, in which she imparts her wisdom about how to make it in the world as a person of color. The word "wisdom" can't possibly begin to cover all that she writes to them. She teaches them what it means to be black, that education is one of the most important things in life, how to treat people, even if you don't like them, and that absolutely nothing comes free - you get what you work hard for. This was so, so good.

[Andrew Shipe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amazing to realize this book was written 25 years ago. The impulse for me to read it was seeing the "Twenty-Five Lessons for Life" that makes up Chapter Four. Edelman, who founded the Children's Defense Fund decades ago, mixes progressive polemic with faiths-based exhortation into a short book that could either make both sides of the political spectrum mad or bring us closer together. Let's hope more people read this book and do the latter!

[Kristen]

This book is a timeless (published in 1993, but still so relevant) letter to Eldelman's sons and the American people promoting a message of hope and purpose for all.
"We pray for children who want to be carried
and for those who must,
for those we never give up on and for those
who don't get a second chance.
For those we smother...and for those who will grab
the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Please offer your hands to them so that no child is left behind because we did not act."

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend- thought provoking, eye opening, soul filling. Wonderful book.

“Read. Not just what you have to read for class or work, but to learn from the wisdom and joys and mistakes of others. No time is ever wasted if you have a book along as a companion.” P60


“What unites us is far greater than what divides us as families and friends and Americans and spiritual sojourners on this earth.” P78

[Bookerkc · Rating 4 out of 5]

The copyright says 1992 but this book could easily have been written today. 27 years later we, as a country, still have the same problems and challenges. In many ways they've gotten worse. It seems to me that our politicians, and by extension we voters, don't value the education, health or safety of our citizens.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed this over the course of the afternoon. Found it comforting with the advice, but disturbing that not much has changed in the thirty years since publication. I would have wished for just a LITTLE bit more progress.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my class and it was a great book for those who need a perspective of life.
Sure, it was a letter to her children but I believe we all could learn something from this amazing woman.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book worthy of a reread

[Nichola Gutgold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on values and lessons.

[Marwah Hassounah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seams like a short read, but its depth requires you to give it time to read. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many quotes!

[Lauren Morahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely timely and poignant- Edleman's letter/lessons for her young adult sons is as relevant today as at the turn of the 21st century when the book was written.

[Josh Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

List of 25 action items that are fairly timeless.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonates as much now as it did almost 30 years ago. It contains a wealth of invaluable and timeless lessons. Highly recommend it.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's a case where I really like the author's message, and believe in it, but ... There's something about the way she wrote the book that just didn't click with me. Yes, she wrote fervently and passionately, and personally, as a letter to her sons, but ... I can't exactly put my finger on what was "wrong." Some parts were better than others, but some of it felt like a string of thoughts all squished together, like a stream of consciousness. Perhaps it was unedited; there weren't enough paragraphs, and there weren't any bullets. It seemed "off the cuff" and informal. Maybe, to some, that would be part of its impact and part of its emotional appeal, but for me, it lost some of its impact, because she has an important message, and has done great work. Also, it was written in the 1990's and needs updating. Maybe I am expecting too much. If you support her cause, you might want to read it. It's short, so no big investment here.

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally I got this book for a possible graduation present. I decided to read it first and see whether it would work. While reading it I was struck with the things that I agree with in the midst of the things I did not. The tips that I was raised with also despite philosophical differences. I used to be afraid to read things where there was so much difference in philosophy. But it was a learning experience and I am thoughtfully considering some things differently now. In the end I decided that this wasn’t the right time for this book as a gift. But it does represent a departure for myself and one that was successful.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly quotable and easily digestible set of lessons. Marian Wright Edelman is an incredible force in her activism and her wisdom radiates in this short book. The state of the world has made improvements since its publication in 1992, but many of her admonishments of inequality and oppression are still relevant. Highly recommend.

[Rieta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend lent me this book. I am only on page 11. I found so many things already that I need to highlight that I ordered my own copy. Just in the foreword "Don't feel entitled to anything you don't sweat and struggle for".

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought her key points were right on even though some of the facts and information was outdated

[Mary Kinietz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice - 25 rules to live by - written by the president of the Children’s Defense Fund.

[Tasheika B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book full of wisdom treasures! A book for everyone to read

[Karengeorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my top 5

[lia peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

she called me one of the “goyls” and i’ll never forget it! i am one of the girls!!!! love you MWE thanks for fighting the good fight we gotta keep it goin!