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Cover of Teacher Man by Frank McCourtTeacher Man
Modern · Nonfiction, Biography, Classics

Teacher Man

by Frank McCourt
2005 · 272 pages · Nonfiction
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 7 hours to read · about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, tells about his thirty years teaching English in New York public schools, starting at a tough vocational high school where students would do anything to avoid work. Unsure of himself, he learned to teach by telling stories about his own Irish childhood, and by trying anything that worked, like having students write excuse notes for imaginary crimes.

Why it's worth reading

It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It's a funny, tender tribute to teaching.

You'll love it if you liked

Good to know

It's the third of McCourt's memoirs but stands alone.

By the numbers

56.0Must-Read Score
  • Readers7 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller46 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Bestseller
#1 New York Times bestseller (4 weeks at #1)

Reads as

True story

How we rank

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Explore the best-of lists

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Quick answers

Is Teacher Man worth reading?

Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #2,674 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 56.0 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is Teacher Man about?

Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, tells about his thirty years teaching English in New York public schools, starting at a tough vocational high school where students would do anything to avoid work. Unsure of himself, he learned to teach by telling stories about his own Irish childhood, and by trying anything that worked, like having students write excuse notes for imaginary crimes.

How long does it take to read Teacher Man?

About 7 hours (272 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after Teacher Man?

If you liked it, try 'Tis by Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt or How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler.