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The Right Mistake: The Further Philosophical Investigations of Socrates Fortlow

by Walter Mosley

The Right Mistake: The Further Philosophical Investigations of Socrates Fortlow Cover

ISBN13: 9780465005253
ISBN10: 046500525x
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Living in South Central L.A., Socrates Fortlow is a sixty-year-old ex-convict, still strong enough to kill men with his bare hands. Now freed after serving twenty-seven years in prison, he is filled with profound guilt about his own crimes and disheartened by the chaos of the streets. Along with his gambler friend Billy Psalms, Socrates calls together local people of all races from their different social stations — lawyers, gangsters, preachers, Buddhists, businessmen — to conduct meetings of a Thinkers' Club, where all can discuss the unanswerable questions in life.

The street philosopher enjoins his friends to explore — even in the knowledge that there's nothing that they personally can do to change the ways of the world — what might be done anyway, what it would take to change themselves. Infiltrated by undercover cops, and threatened by strain from within, tensions rise as hot-blooded gangsters and respectable deacons fight over issues of personal and social responsibility. But simply by asking questions about racial authenticity, street justice, infidelity, poverty, and the possibility of mutual understanding, Socrates and his unlikely crew actually begin to make a difference.

In turns outraged and affectionate, The Right Mistake offers a profoundly literary and ultimately redemptive exploration of the possibility of moral action in a violent and fallen world.

Review:

"A history of terrible violence including rape and murder followed by 27 years of incarceration in a prison with its own codified violence have helped shape Socrates Fortlow, previously featured in two short story collections, Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned (1997) and Walkin' the Dog (1999). The hardened ex-con living in South Central L.A. has been chiseled by his experiences into a hulking essence of wise humanity. An initial gathering of diverse characters (a Muslim, a Jew, a Buddhist, a gambler, a singer, a lawyer, two killers, etc.) brought together by Socrates becomes an agent of change. The weekly 'Thinkers' Meetings' grow despite internal dissension and attempts at suppression and subversion by authorities. The talks forge bonds, lead to actions, spread beyond L.A. and take on a life of their own. In the face of gangs, drugs, poverty and racism, Mosley poses the deceptively simple question — 'What can I do?' — and provides a powerful and moving answer." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

After ten years, the street philosopher Socrates Fortlow returns in a major new novel by best-selling author Walter Mosley.

Synopsis:

Socrates Fortlow is a 60-year-old ex-convict freed after serving 27 years in prison. Disheartened by the chaos of the streets, he calls together local people of all races to conduct meetings of a Thinkers' Club, where all can discuss the unanswerable questions in life.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

fairhill, January 20, 2010 (view all comments by fairhill)
A very powerful book about overcoming disadvantage through community, integrity, and honor, all taught at an ad hoc community table by the main character, Socrates Fortlow. Not to be missed...
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(3 of 17 readers found this comment helpful)
R A, November 5, 2008 (view all comments by R A)
My only comment, other than that I have liked the earlier tales of Socrates Fortlow & most of Walter Mosley's work, is that I have not yet read this book but expect to & to enjoy it given WM's ability to tell a good tale especially about Socrates & his other characters - EZ Rawlins & the homicidal Mouse.
PS Why doesn't Spike Lee or Clint Eastwood make a few movies about these characters?
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(4 of 26 readers found this comment helpful)
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780465005253
Author:
Mosley, Walter
Publisher:
Basic Civitas Books
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
General
Subject:
Philosophers
Subject:
Los angeles (calif.)
Subject:
Ex-convicts
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
Publication Date:
20081031
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Pages:
269
Dimensions:
8.75x5.75x1.25 in. .96 lbs.

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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Mystery » A to Z
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Fiction and Poetry » Literature » Urban Life

The Right Mistake: The Further Philosophical Investigations of Socrates Fortlow Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$11.50 In Stock
Product details 269 pages Basic Civitas Books - English 9780465005253 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "A history of terrible violence including rape and murder followed by 27 years of incarceration in a prison with its own codified violence have helped shape Socrates Fortlow, previously featured in two short story collections, Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned (1997) and Walkin' the Dog (1999). The hardened ex-con living in South Central L.A. has been chiseled by his experiences into a hulking essence of wise humanity. An initial gathering of diverse characters (a Muslim, a Jew, a Buddhist, a gambler, a singer, a lawyer, two killers, etc.) brought together by Socrates becomes an agent of change. The weekly 'Thinkers' Meetings' grow despite internal dissension and attempts at suppression and subversion by authorities. The talks forge bonds, lead to actions, spread beyond L.A. and take on a life of their own. In the face of gangs, drugs, poverty and racism, Mosley poses the deceptively simple question — 'What can I do?' — and provides a powerful and moving answer." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Synopsis" by , After ten years, the street philosopher Socrates Fortlow returns in a major new novel by best-selling author Walter Mosley.
"Synopsis" by , Socrates Fortlow is a 60-year-old ex-convict freed after serving 27 years in prison. Disheartened by the chaos of the streets, he calls together local people of all races to conduct meetings of a Thinkers' Club, where all can discuss the unanswerable questions in life.
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