Scratch Beginnings
Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream
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Narrated by:
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Peter Berkrot
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By:
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Adam Shepard
About this listen
What can you get with 25 dollars and a dream? Adam Shepard graduated from college feeling disillusioned by the apathy around him and was then incensed after reading Barbara Ehrenreich's famous work Nickel and Dimed- a book that gave him a feeling of hopelessness about the working class in America. He set out to disprove Ehrenreich's theory - the notion that those who start at the bottom stay at the bottom - by making something out of nothing to achieve the American Dream. Shepard's plan was simple. With a sleeping bag, the clothes on his back, and $25 in cash, and restricted from using his contacts or college education, he headed out for Charleston, South Carolina, a randomly selected city, with one objective: to work his way out of homelessness and into a life that would give him the opportunity for success. His goal was to have, after one year, $2,500, a working automobile, and a furnished apartment. Scratch Beginnings is the earnest and passionate account of Shepard.
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Performance
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The two-time best-selling author, comedian, actor, and radio icon explains the philosophy that has kept his existence boredom-free since the age of 13 - the love of risk. An avid sports better and frequent card player, Lange believes that the true gambler gets high not from winning, but from the chaotic unknown of betting itself. He recounts some of his favorite moments, many of which haven't involved money at all. In this candid and entertaining memoir, he looks back at the times he's wagered the intangible and priceless things in life: his health, his career, and his relationships.
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who needs Artie (to read)
- By B. Wenners on 08-24-18
By: Artie Lange
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My Korean Deli
- Risking It All for a Convenience Store
- By: Ben Ryder Howe
- Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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This sweet and funny tale of a preppy editor buying a Brooklyn deli with his Korean in-laws is about family, culture clash, and the quest for authentic experiences. It starts with a gift. When Ben Ryder Howe’s wife, the daughter of Korean immigrants, decides to repay her parents’ self-sacrifice by buying them a store, Howe, an editor at the rarefied Paris Review, agrees to go along.
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Absolutely delightful!
- By Grace O'Malley on 03-19-11
By: Ben Ryder Howe
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Double or Nothing
- How Two Friends Risked It All to Buy One of Las Vegas' Legendary Casinos
- By: Tom Breitling, Cal Fussman
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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If Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn had come of age at the end of the 20th century looking for an all-American adventure, they probably would've headed for Vegas. However, they'd have been hard-pressed to go on a wilder ride than the one taken by Tom Breitling and Tim Poster to the top of the famed Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. Call them the Odds Couple.
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A look at lives of 2 guys who bought casino
- By Eric A, on 01-05-21
By: Tom Breitling, and others
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Be a Man
- The Ultimate Guide
- By: The Be a Man Guy
- Narrated by: The Be a Man Guy, John Fiore
- Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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On Tik Tok, Instagram, and his podcast, The Be a Man Guy discusses what it takes to be a man. Now, this funny and insightful book showcases all new stories, vignettes, anecdotes, and pearls of wisdom.
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I didn't find much lasting value.
- By I Ate Your Pug For Lunch and It was Tasty on 07-07-23
By: The Be a Man Guy
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Loudmouth
- Tales (and Fantasies) of Sports, Sex, and Salvation from Behind the Microphone
- By: Craig Carton
- Narrated by: Craig Carton
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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In this debut, Carton invites the listener to join him as he recounts tales from his suburban youth, defends his long-held love affair with the New York Jets, reminisces about the shenanigans of some of the highest paid and most celebrated athletes playing today, and reflects on his work as one of radio's craftiest, most hilarious personalities ever to get behind the microphone.
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Fun but too much about early life
- By Anthony A. Ciaccio on 07-13-13
By: Craig Carton
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They Call Me Supermensch
- A Backstage Pass to the Amazing Worlds of Film, Food, and Rock'n'Roll
- By: Shep Gordon
- Narrated by: Shep Gordon
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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In the course of his legendary career as a manager, an agent, and a producer, Shep Gordon has worked with and befriended some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, from Alice Cooper to Bette Davis, Raquel Welch to Groucho Marx, Blondie to Jimi Hendrix, Sylvester Stallone to Salvador Dali, Luther Vandross to Teddy Pendergrass. He is also credited with inventing the "celebrity chef" and has worked with Nobu Matsuhisa, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Roger Vergé, and many others.
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It's like he's never seen the words before
- By Joe F. on 11-01-17
By: Shep Gordon
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No Turning Back
- One Man's Inspiring True Story of Courage, Determination, and Hope
- By: Bryan Anderson, David Mack, Gary Sinise - foreward
- Narrated by: Bryan Anderson, Gary Sinise - foreward
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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The word conquer has changed meaning for Bryan Anderson. As a U.S. army sergeant in Iraq, it meant taking down the enemy. After becoming Iraq’s fourth triple amputee from a roadside explosive, what he had to conquer got a bit more personal. On October 23, 2005, the moment Bryan looked down and realized he no longer had legs, he cracked a joke. It was a tragedy that could break many, but Bryan transformed it into something positive, something that propelled him forward.
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What Heroes are made of
- By Emmaus Dan on 08-03-17
By: Bryan Anderson, and others
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Stories I'd Tell in Bars
- By: Jen Lancaster
- Narrated by: Jen Lancaster, John Fletcher
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Older, but not wiser, Lancaster goes back to basics in this hilarious essay collection about everything from taking community policing classes to accidentally getting high with her waiter after a fancy dinner. These are the tales she'd tell if she met you in a bar... if she weren't too lazy to put on pants and go to a bar. Offering advice ranging from how to remain happily married to a man who refuses to blow his damn nose already to not creating An Incident at the cheese counter during an attempt at Whole30, she's you, only louder.
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self absorbed
- By D D H on 06-15-19
By: Jen Lancaster
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Remember the Time
- Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
- By: Bill Whitfield, Javon Beard, Tanner Colby - contributor
- Narrated by: Neal Ghant, Brad Raymond, Brian Troxell
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Hounded by the tabloid media, driven from his self-made sanctuary at Neverland, Michael Jackson spent his final years moving from city to city, living with his three children in virtual seclusion - a futile attempt to escape a world that wouldn’t leave him alone. During that time, two men served as the singer’s personal security team: Bill Whitfield, a former cop and veteran of the security profession, and Javon Beard, a brash, untested rookie, both single fathers themselves. Stationed at his side nearly 24/7, their job was to see and hear everything that transpired.
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Amazing Book! I didn't feel dirty listening to it
- By MObetta on 06-11-14
By: Bill Whitfield, and others
What listeners say about Scratch Beginnings
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Sid T
- 09-17-17
So entertaining!
This had my interest from the very 1st sentence and has a wonderful balance of humor, drama an insight. I can listen to it over and over again.
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- Java Zombie
- 12-19-11
Loved it!
Would you listen to Scratch Beginnings again? Why?
This read was easy, fun and engaging as well as pretty educational! Felt like I was out on the road with him!
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- Amazon Reviewer
- 02-09-24
Love this book!
This is actually the second time I’ve read this one. The first time I too was basically right out of college. I believe every young person entering the working world or those who choose not to should read this book!
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- Tom
- 12-06-11
A pleasant read, nice alternate to Nicked/Dimed
I really enjoyed the casual, entertaining writing style from the author. And, the narrator did a wonderful job bringing it all to life in an appropriate southern accent. While the comparisons to Nickled and Dimed are hard to avoid, I thought the author produced a compelling message and pleasant alternative to alot of the negativity today. He seemed like an intrinsically more optimist, hopeful person than Barbara Ehrenrich. Some parts of the dialog felt more like a reality TV show than an essay on why the American Dream is still achievable, but I didn't consider that a bad thing, as long as you are not just looking for a serious coverage of the topic, but wanting equal parts entertainment. He really brought it back together in the epilogue and formulated his conclusions in a compelling way in the end. Great job and I highly recommend it!
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3 people found this helpful
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- Timothy R.
- 06-21-15
Inspirational listen
What made the experience of listening to Scratch Beginnings the most enjoyable?
That someone would have the guts to give up all & go off looking to enrich themselves through experience while helping others.
What did you like best about this story?
The simple proof that with hardwork & long term thinking anyone can go anything they wish. There are no limits, only those imposed by you.
Have you listened to any of Peter Berkrot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
no, i have not.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
no
Any additional comments?
The moving company section of the book went on & on a bit.. There was way too much detail about this to the point some parts were boring. That aside, great listen.
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1 person found this helpful
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- David Hunter
- 03-05-13
Missing a lot...
The story was really interesting but I had the strong impression this would be a response to "Nickel and Dimed." - The book was only mentioned once, and no comparison was made between her struggle and his, and how he made better choices.
There also was so much detail missing, such as how he setup his budget and the numbers.
The end he gives a really cliche and vague final thoughts on poverty & the american dream, a little cheezy.
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3 people found this helpful