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    You Are Not Special: ...And Other Encouragements
    You Are Not Special: ...And Other Encouragements
    You Are Not Special: ...And Other Encouragements
    Audiobook7 hours

    You Are Not Special: ...And Other Encouragements

    Written by David McCullough, Jr.

    Narrated by David McCullough, Jr.

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    About this audiobook

    David McCullough, Jr.'s high school commencement address of 2012, dubbed "You Are Not Special," was a tonic for children, parents, and educators alike. With wit and a perspective earned from raising four children and teaching high school students for nearly thirty years, McCullough expands on his speech—taking a hard look at hovering parents, questionable educational goals, professional college prep, electronic distractions, and club sports—and advocates for a life of passionate engagement.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateApr 22, 2014
    ISBN9780062309105
    Author

    David McCullough, Jr.

    David McCullough, Jr. taught for sixteen years at Punahou School in Honolulu and has been teaching at Wellesley High School near Boston since 2002. He lives with his wife and four children in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

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    Reviews for You Are Not Special

    4/5

    17 ratings7 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The one point overlooked is that the battle for admission to expensive colleges is a main factor in the increasing cost of those colleges. Prices will change when the market begins looking elsewhere.
    • 3/5
      Built from a commencement address that went viral (and I recall seeing) in 2012, the book has some wise ideas mixed in with a few interesting anecdotes. It goes on a little too long in some sections.
    • 4/5
      Built on the famous graduation speech where the author informed a graduating class that they were not special. This book is a series of essays that expand on that theme, and others, such as racism, materialism, and the sexes. There are some profound insights, a number of pithy one-liners, some solid advice, and not just a little mushy thinking in the modern, sort of almost New Age but not quite variety. The work is limited by the author's limited experience; his own life, and that of his students, is one of preppy upper middle to upper class schools, and as such, he has very little comprehension of the average student facing the average teacher in the average school, so some of his observations and advice may sound a bit...precious...but there are a lot of places where the issues being dealt with in these schools sounds eerily similar to that faced in the inner city and rural schools around the nation. The chapter on males and females should be skipped; one wonders where the author is meeting these oh, so stereotypical people, and the chapter oozes with a subtle, probably unrecognized sexism (yes, even though he does point out the less stellar characteristics that supposedly define boys and juxtapose them with the more socially desirable traits in that sphere for the girls - they still fall into men bosses, women nurturers). Overall, it's a worthwhile read, but expect a certain amount of unquestioned conventional wisdom. A bit more research in parts could have been helpful.
    • 5/5
      Listened to it. Somewhat repetitive but entertaining with some excellent insights.
    • 5/5
      Rich with one-liners and insightful observations. A little awkward with the delivery in spots but still a magnificent commentary on teaching, students, and the contemporary culture of self-absorption where everyone receives a trophy whether they achieved anything or not.
    • 5/5
      Very entertaining and full of wisdom. Younger generations would benefit greatly from this book...but older generations will appreciate it all the same. I had never heard of the graduation speech, but was intrigued for the very fact of who his father is. I am a huge fan of his father's works and figured this would be good...he didnt disappoint. He is much different than his father, but I found him intriguing and enjoyed his humor and whit.
    • 4/5
      An interesting expansion on the graduation speech made popular by the title. It covers a little bit of biography and a lot on the author's experienced view on teaching. Even if you don't agree with all of his conclusions, he makes an interesting read along the way.