Scenes from My Life
A Memoir
Published on 17. August 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-0350-0955-8 (ISBN)
Description
The New York Times Bestseller
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, NPR, The Root
A moving, unflinching memoir of hard-won success, struggles with addiction, and a lifelong mission to give back.
When Michael K. Williams died on 6 September 2021, he left behind a career as one of the most electrifying actors of his generation. From his star turn as Omar Little in The Wire to Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire to Emmy-nominated roles in HBO's The Night Of and Lovecraft Country, Williams inhabited a slew of indelible roles that he portrayed with a rawness and vulnerability that leapt off the screen. Beyond the nominations and acclaim, Williams played characters who connected, whose humanity couldn't be denied, whose stories were too often left out of the main narrative.
At the time of his death, Williams had nearly finished a memoir that tells the story of his past while looking to the future, a book that merges his life and his life's work. Mike, as his friends knew him, was so much more than an actor. In Scenes from My Life, he traces his life in whole, from his childhood in East Flatbush and his early years as a dancer to his battles with addiction and the bar fight that left his face with his distinguishing scar. He was a committed Brooklyn resident and activist who dedicated his life to working with social justice organisations and his community, especially in helping at-risk youth find their voice and carve out their future. Williams worked to keep the spotlight on those he fought for and with, whom he believed in with his whole heart.
Imbued with poignance and raw honesty, Scenes from My Life is the story of a performer who gave his all to everything he did - in his own voice, in his own words, as only he could.
'Immensely inspiring and candid' - Publishers Weekly
'Soul-baring' - The Washington Post
'A gripping, revelatory memoir' - NPR
'William's cool rasp leaps off every page, his story told in the direct yet impassioned language that defined his greatest characters' - Vulture
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, NPR, The Root
A moving, unflinching memoir of hard-won success, struggles with addiction, and a lifelong mission to give back.
When Michael K. Williams died on 6 September 2021, he left behind a career as one of the most electrifying actors of his generation. From his star turn as Omar Little in The Wire to Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire to Emmy-nominated roles in HBO's The Night Of and Lovecraft Country, Williams inhabited a slew of indelible roles that he portrayed with a rawness and vulnerability that leapt off the screen. Beyond the nominations and acclaim, Williams played characters who connected, whose humanity couldn't be denied, whose stories were too often left out of the main narrative.
At the time of his death, Williams had nearly finished a memoir that tells the story of his past while looking to the future, a book that merges his life and his life's work. Mike, as his friends knew him, was so much more than an actor. In Scenes from My Life, he traces his life in whole, from his childhood in East Flatbush and his early years as a dancer to his battles with addiction and the bar fight that left his face with his distinguishing scar. He was a committed Brooklyn resident and activist who dedicated his life to working with social justice organisations and his community, especially in helping at-risk youth find their voice and carve out their future. Williams worked to keep the spotlight on those he fought for and with, whom he believed in with his whole heart.
Imbued with poignance and raw honesty, Scenes from My Life is the story of a performer who gave his all to everything he did - in his own voice, in his own words, as only he could.
'Immensely inspiring and candid' - Publishers Weekly
'Soul-baring' - The Washington Post
'A gripping, revelatory memoir' - NPR
'William's cool rasp leaps off every page, his story told in the direct yet impassioned language that defined his greatest characters' - Vulture
Reviews / Votes
Soul-baring * The Washington Post * Immensely inspiring and candid . . . This bittersweet and poignant work will leave readers in awe * Publishers Weekly * Williams's cool rasp leaps off every page, his story told in the direct yet impassioned language that defined his greatest characters * Vulture * A bittersweet memento of a generational talent gone too soon * Kirkus Review * A gripping, revelatory memoir * NPR *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 192 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
224 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0350-0955-8 (9781035009558)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Michael K. Williams was an Emmy-nominated actor and producer. One of his generation's most respected and acclaimed talents, Williams was best known for his roles on The Wire and Boardwalk Empire. He died in his native Brooklyn, New York, on 6 September 2021.
Jon Sternfeld is a former editor, the author of Unprepared and the co-author of Crisis Point with Senators Tom Daschle and Trent Lott, A Stone of Hope with Jim St. Germain and A Forever Family with Rob Scheer, among other nonfiction books.
Jon Sternfeld is a former editor, the author of Unprepared and the co-author of Crisis Point with Senators Tom Daschle and Trent Lott, A Stone of Hope with Jim St. Germain and A Forever Family with Rob Scheer, among other nonfiction books.