Turning Points

This book contains biographical sketches of 83 people, with particular attention paid to moments that changed their lives. In different ways, they all overcame an obstacle or adapted to an outside force or turned discouragement into hope. Included are actors (Humphrey Bogart, Clint Eastwood, Katharine Hepburn), comics (Woody Allen, Bob Hope), entrepreneurs (Bill Gates), presidents (Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter), and seemingly ordinary people whose lives have inspired countless others (Grandma Moses, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa). News anchor Oprah Winfrey had been described as too emotional, too nice, too unprofessional, and too unattractive to succeed at her Baltimore television station. After her perceptive station manager transformed her from news anchor to talk show host, Oprah was in her element and on her way. Young Louis Armstrong didn't let a stay in reform school keep him down. He determined he would learn to play the cornet. This led "Satchmo" to world fame as an always affable trumpet virtuoso loved by millions. Some of the 83 knew exactly what they wanted and where they were going; others had no idea. But they all experienced major turning points that took them to greater things.