Living Life Against the Odds

Book excerpt: Living Life against the Odds: A Personal Chronicle is a very powerful memoir of author Reginald Boddie, who was raised in New Haven, Connecticut. The book provides vivid details of his life growing up in a poor neighborhood, a stay in foster care, his transition from foster care to private school and return home, challenges he overcame with standardized testing, and his unwavering commitment to serving schools and communities, leading to his eventual successful admission to Brown University and Northeastern University School of Law. In the face of all these challenges, he becomes a successful attorney in New York and eventually a supervising judge of the New York City Civil Court and justice of the New York State Supreme Court. He shares in a very powerful and compelling manner his many challenges along the way, including cancer and temporary blindness, in an effort to encourage readers to be persistent in elevating their faith and always pushing toward success regardless of the circumstances. This personal account about persistence and achievement in the face of all odds is a must read for all ages. Once you start reading, it will be hard to stop, and your spirit of optimism will be renewed. Reginald Boddie is the recipient of a host of awards, including Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who Albert N. Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, and an African American Trailblazer Award, among others.