The Water Is Wide

The Water Is Wide: Yamacraw Island is nearly deserted. No one has paid much attention to it, nor to the few poor black families that live there. But this beautiful, haunting slip of land across the water from South Carolina is home to them, and they've lived off the bounty from the sea for generations. But now their very existence is challenged. Industrial waste, pouring into the water from which they pull their catches, threatens the only vocation they've known. Unless they can learn a new way of life, they will surely perish. The Water is Wide is the true story of a young white schoolteacher - a man who gave a year of his life to give an island and a people renewed hope. He becomes the teacher of their children, and teaches the adults of Yamacraw Island extraordinary lessons they didn't even know they needed to learn.

"A hell of a good story." (The New York Times) "Miraculous...an experience of joy." (Newsweek)

• The Water Is Wide (Unabridged) - iTunes Audiobook

  Price

  $20.95 Download on iTunes
  (as of 2010-08-30 2:41 PDT)

  Publisher

  Provider:Brilliance Audio

  Shop

  Apple iTunes Store

  Format

  iTunes Audiobook

  Publish Date

  Aug 10, 2010

  Sales Rank

  97

  Length

  10 hours 8 minutes

  Narrator

  Narrator:Dan John Miller Preview

  Presented by

  Audible.com

  Product Description / Editorial Review

  The island is nearly deserted, haunting, beautiful. Across a slip of ocean lies South Carolina. But for the handful of families on Yamacraw island, America is a world away. For years the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence - unless, somehow, they can learn a new life. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher.
  
  "A hell of a good story." (The New York Times) — Source: Apple iTunes Store

  

• The Water Is Wide (Abridged Fiction) - iTunes Audiobook

  Price

  $10.95 Download on iTunes
  (as of 2010-09-02 7:40 PDT)

  Publisher

  Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio

  Shop

  Apple iTunes Store

  Format

  iTunes Audiobook

  Publish Date

  Aug 30, 2000

  Sales Rank

  297

  Length

  3 hours 5 minutes

  Narrator

  Narrator:Will Patton Preview

  Presented by

  Audible.com

  Product Description / Editorial Review

  Yamacraw Island is nearly deserted. No one has paid much attention to it, nor to the few poor black families that live there. But this beautiful, haunting slip of land across the water from South Carolina is home to them, and they've lived off the bounty from the sea for generations. But now their very existence is challenged. Industrial waste, pouring into the water from which they pull their catches, threatens the only vocation they've known. Unless they can learn a new way of life, they will surely perish. The Water is Wide is the true story of a young white schoolteacher - a man who gave a year of his life to give an island and a people renewed hope. He becomes the teacher of their children, and teaches the adults of Yamacraw Island extraordinary lessons they didn't even know they needed to learn.
  
  "A hell of a good story." (The New York Times) "Miraculous...an experience of joy." (Newsweek) — Source: Apple iTunes Store

  Customer Reviews

  Highly recommend

  This book was pretty funny and I really enjoyed listening to as well as reading it

  Rating: 5
  The Water Is Wide (Abridged Fiction) review by Ryan String, 2006-02-20

  

• The Water Is Wide: A Memoir - Paperback

  Price

  $15.00 $8.40 (44% Off) Buy from Amazon.com
  (as of 2010-09-03 11:20 PDT)

  Rating

  4.5 (72 reviews)

  Publisher

  Dial Press Trade Paperback

  Shop

  Amazon

  Format

  Paperback

  Publish Date

  Oct 3, 2002

  Sales Rank

  12034

  ISBN

  0553381571

  ISBN-13

  9780553381573

  Pages

  320

  Search best deal and alternate versions of "The Water Is Wide" in US (United States), UK (United Kingdom) and CA (Canada)

  • The Water Is Wide: A Memoir (Paperback)
  • The Water Is Wide (Kindle Edition)
  • WATER IS WIDE (Hardcover)
  • The Water is Wide (Hardcover)
  • The Water Is Wide (Hardcover)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water is Wide (Unbound)
  • WATER IS WIDE (Hardcover)
  • The water is wide (Eagle large print) (Hardcover)
  • The Water Is Wide (Hardcover)
  • The Water Is Wide (Audio Cassette)
  • The Water Is Wide (School & Library Binding)
  • The Water Is Wide (Unbound)
  • The Water Is Wide (Eagle Large Print) (Hardcover)
  • The water is wide (Mass Market Paperback)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio Cassette)
  • Water Is Wide (Audio Cassette)
  • The Water Is Wide (Playaway Adult Fiction) (Preloaded Digital Audio Player)
  • The Water Is Wide (Hardcover)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water is Wide (Hardcover)
  • The Water is Wide (Audio CD)
  • The Water Is Wide (Hardcover)

  Product Description / Editorial Review

  The island is nearly deserted, haunting, beautiful. Across a slip of ocean lies South Carolina. But for the handful of families on Yamacraw island, America is a world away. For years the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence–unless, somehow, they can learn a new life. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher.
  
  Here is PAT CONROY’S extraordinary drama based on his own experience–the true story of a man who gave a year of his life to an island and the new life its people gave him. — Source: Amazon

  Customer Reviews

  An Honest Writer

  Pat Conroy is an honest writer. Throughout this powerful book, he blames himself--his ego, for getting in the way of educational success, or at least bringing about some minor changes on the Island. While he certainly was as good an enemy to himself as any other, that fact does not dilute the powerful evil of prejudice and fear that runs freely and daily through the Island's educational enterprise.
  
  At times, Conroy reminded me of Yossarian inn Catch 22 or Leper in A Separate Peace--wild, chaotic, and bound to bring fear to those who didn't understand or appreciate him for what he was--a teacher, pure and simple.
  
  While this did take place in the South, it could have been in any segregated school system. His tracing of segregation and desegregation is seering in its honesty, charitable in its perspective, and a sad testimony of this phase of American history. If we pay attention to this book, perhaps we will learn from it.

  Rating: 5
  The Water Is Wide: A Memoir review by E. M. Kelly, 2010-06-30

  Pick one of Pat Conroy's other titles instead

  It's short and easy, but it's just an okay read. I like books about inspirational teachers, but Pat Conroy spends a little too much time patting himself on the back while criticizing everyone else involved.

  Rating: 3
  The Water Is Wide: A Memoir review by C. Callahan, 2010-05-03

  Chiefette

  I read a news article about Pat Conroy and his book, The Water is Wide. I was instantly intrigued. I bought the book, read it and could not put it down. Since the book is written about his exploits as a teacher to "colored children" in a southern atmosphere and dealing with attitudes of a more southern nature, I'm surprised that he got as much accomplished as he did in his 1-year term as a teacher. All of the characters portrayed were painfully believable. This book tells it like it was during the 60's. I would definitely recommend the book for everyone who has an open mind, a sense of humor and is not afraid to delve into life's realities.

  Rating: 5
  The Water Is Wide: A Memoir review by Chiefette, 2010-01-30

  Great book about a little known people.

  We enjoyed this book, gave us an insight as to how poor and neglected our neighbours are right here in our own country.
  Plus it was well written and kept your interest.
  A quick and informative read, yes, we recommend it.

  Rating: 5
  The Water Is Wide: A Memoir review by Jane Carter, 2010-01-21

  I found the unexpected in this book

  I read this book over a year ago, and I still think of it as one of the best books I have ever read. I admit I am not a "well read" individual, but I read a book or two a month and this one continues to stand out. I agree with other reviews that it is a must read for teachers. I personally found the book so appealing because it left me laughing, then crying, then angry, then sad. It pulled and tugged at all of my emotions and made me see that I have given up too easily on some things I have wanted changed in my own life. Pat Conroy had to be creative and innovative to get through to the children as well as their parents. I believe he learned as much from the kids as they did from him. I was inspired by his story.

  Rating: 4
  The Water Is Wide: A Memoir review by Dana J. Miles, 2010-01-17

  

• The Water Is Wide: A Memoir - Paperback

  Price

  $10.00 Buy from Walmart
  (as of 2010-08-30 11:41 PDT)

  Publisher

  Random House Inc

  Shop

  Walmart

  Format

  Paperback

  Publish Date

  Mar 2002

  ISBN

  0553381571

  ISBN-13

  9780553381573

  Pages

  320

  Shipping Weight (in pounds)

  0.53

  Product in Inches (L x W x H)

  5.26 x 0.67 x 8.32

  

• The Water is Wide - Paperback

  Price

  $15.00 $10.80 (28% Off) Buy from Barnes & Noble
  (as of 2010-08-28 22:50 PDT)

  Rating

  4.0 (23 reviews)

  Publisher

  Random House Publishing Group

  Shop

  Barnes & Noble

  Format

  Paperback

  Publish Date

  Mar 2002

  Sales Rank

  7572

  ISBN

  0553381571

  ISBN-13

  9780553381573

  Pages

  320

  Edition Description

  Reprinted Edition

  Biography

  Pat Conroy's novels are populated with domineering fathers, Southern belles of steel, and inexorable tragedy; all are elements the author is familiar with from his own life, and he has drawn on them to create unforgettable books. He is sometimes accused of florid prose, but he never fails to draw attention -- and readers -- with his passionate stories.

  From the Publisher

  The island is nearly deserted, haunting, beautiful. Across a slip of ocean lies South Carolina. But for the handful of families on Yamacraw island, America is a world away. For years the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence–unless, somehow, they can learn a new life. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher.
  
  Here is PAT CONROY’S extraordinary drama based on his own experience–the true story of a man who gave a year of his life to an island and the new life its people gave him.

  Synopsis

  A young schoolteacher struggles to bring literacy and selfrespect to a black backwoods South Carolina school in this affecting work. An early, semiautobiographical novel by the author of THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE and THE PRINCE OF TIDES Filmed, as CONRACK in 1974 by Martin Ritt with Jon Voight and Paul Winfield.

  
  — Source: Barnes & Noble

  Customer Reviews

  Such a great book!

  I enjoy Pat Conroy's writing, it is the reason I visited Beaufort S.C and it has become one of my most favorite places I have been! Wonderful place! Wonderful book!

  Rating: 5
  The Water is Wide review by Nixon63, 2010-01-09

  Still Good After All These Years

  I highly recommend this book. I recently purchased this book and discovered that I had already read it, but after all, it's Pat Conroy (an incredible writer, and it had been a long time since I read it. I'm so very glad I did reread it. There are two story lines; one, a biographical story following his maturation process, and two, the story of teaching illiterate black children for just one year on Yamacraw Island. It's a very good read and one which makes you think a lot. His unconventional teaching methods and maverick ways are successful, and make him revered on the island, but a perceived problem to conventional, conservative, southern school board members.

  Rating: 5
  The Water is Wide review by Texastootsie, 2009-10-17

  

• The Water is Wide - Digital Download

  Price

  $16.99 $11.89 (30% Off) Buy from Audible.com
  (as of 2010-06-09 0:00 PDT)

  Publisher

  Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio

  Shop

  Audible

  Format

  Digital Download

  Publish Date

  Aug 30, 2000

  ISBN-13

  9780553750546

  Narrator

  Will Patton

  Preview

  mwprealmp3

  Promotion

  Sign up AudibleListener® Gold and Download The Water is Wide for Special Offer Price: $7.49

  Product Description / Editorial Review

  Yamacraw Island is nearly deserted. No one has paid much attention to it, nor to the few poor black families that live there. But this beautiful, haunting slip of land across the water from South Carolina... — Source: Audible

  

• Customer Reviews

  "The Water Is Wide" customer reviews and ratings