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.
