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Memoirs of a Happy Failure Hardcover – September 28, 2014

by Alice von Hildebrand (Author), Timothy M. Dolan (Foreword),
John Henry Crosby (Contributor)
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4.7 out of 5 stars 52 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 200 pages
  • Publisher: Saint Benedict Press (September 28, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1618901265
  • ISBN-13: 978-1618901262
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA memoir that reflects the struggle between moral relativism and objective truth
By Jeffrey Miller VINE VOICE on January 21, 2015
Format: Hardcover
When I first came across Alice Von Hildebrand while watching Mother Angelica Live I was rapidly impressed with her. Her quick wit, intelligence, and common sense was a delight. Since then I have been interested in what she had to say. Around the same time I became acquainted with the works of her late husband Dietrich Von Hildebrand. I have by no means fully dipped into all his works, but I want to go further. His Transformation in Christ is a book I dearly love.

When her biography of her husband came out The Soul of a Lion: The Life of Dietrich von Hildebrand I quickly attained and read it. Such an amazing story and an equally amazing man. You would think somebody who was a named enemy of Hitler would have his story more well known. There is at least a new book out called My Battle Against Hitler: Faith, Truth, and Defiance in the Shadow of the Third Reich.

When I read Soul of a Lion I wondered about his later years since the story ends, as I remember, after his escape and ultimately ending up in New York. Some of this is covered in Alice Von Hildebrand’s new book Memoirs of a Happy Failure. While this autobiography does go into how she met her future husband and some of her life with him, she is mostly quiet on her personal life in this regard except when there are interactions with her students.

What this book does cover is her life growing up in Belgium before World War II and her subsequent move to the United States during the war. The book starts out with her on a ship headed for New York that was threatened by a German sub with orders to evacuate before being sunk. I was quite interested in her descriptions of being raised in a very Catholic culture and the descriptions of her family members including the roles they played during the war.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn uplifting memoir for the world weary....
By rocktheshop on December 11, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Author Alice von Hildebrand recalls her teaching career at a public college as a professional failure but a moral victory. Her high-content philosophy classes were rigorous, yet still popular with students because they were both challenging and affirmative. Alas, she notes, "the political devil was loose" within the university system, and von Hildebrand was ignored, condescended to, and blatantly discriminated against by colleagues and administrators. Her humility, clarity, and Christianity enabled her to endure in an academic atmosphere that was cutthroat and biased. She fought the good fight, and her memoir offers inspiration and consolation to readers. Highly recommended!
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5.0 out of 5 starsMy dear teacher endured so much for the sake of ...
By Andyon on May 29, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
My dear teacher endured so much for the sake of guiding her dear students to truth. I am forever grateful, more so now as - through her writings - I am able to appreciate her loving courage. I thank Dr. von Hildebrand and pray that she continue to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Andrea Arcarola
Class of 1969, School of General Studies, Hunter College
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5.0 out of 5 stars'Memoirs of a Happy Failure' is much
By Amazon Customer on January 11, 2015
Format: Hardcover
This book is a delightful read. It is an engaging description of her life at New York's Hunter College where many fail to derail a courageous lady imprinted with objective truth. 'Memoirs of a Happy Failure' is much, much more than a simple biography, it is a fascinating view into the American college system, and it is also a frightening reminder that those who dare to teach must be prepared to fail so others may learn.

I highly recommend this book because its many messages will resonate with anyone who desires objective truth over the easy A.
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5.0 out of 5 starsfascinating look at the life of a conservative professor in a very liberal institution.
By Bobbie R Leab on January 2, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Still pondering the life of Dame Alice von Hildebrand. Will read more books by her and her beloved husband Dietrich.
The book so interesting that it was a very quick read.
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5.0 out of 5 stars... and finally the administration to receive tenure and also Great conversions to the Catholic faith along with Great same ...
By Cj Mccloskey III on March 30, 2015
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
The story of a woman who fought violently a Catholic in in a public University and managee to win over her students and finally the administration to receive tenure and also Great conversions to the Catholic faith along with Great same as a philosopher
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4.0 out of 5 starsDelightful read
By Reviewer on February 7, 2015
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I had the pleasure of seeing Alice Von Hilderbrand speak and have been an admirer since... so this review might be biased :)
I found this matter of fact memoir of her day in and day out life interesting. While not a 'formula' it does provide an illustration of living ones principles in a the 'real' world. Smatterings of wisdom and philosophy throughout.
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5.0 out of 5 starsComments from a Happy Reader
By Kathleen A. Donohue on January 15, 2015
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I had heard Alice von Hildebrand speak in 1993, and I had read two of her other books, but I didn't really know anything about her life. I really enjoyed reading these memoirs, and I was encouraged by her example of faithfully persevering through the many "failures" or challenges of her life. Before I had even finished the book, I hurried and ordered another copy to give to a friend for Christmas. Alice von Hildebrand positively affected the lives of many students over the years, and she is continuing to positively affect her readers today.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsMemoirs of a woman, a teacher, and a great Catholic

If you're like me, you were probably introduced to Dr. Alice von Hildebrand through EWTN. She appeared on a variety of their shows from "The Journey Home" to "EWTN... Read more

Published 16 days ago by Stuart Dunn
4.0 out of 5 starsIt was a slow start and almost boring..

It was a slow start and almost boring...but then it picked up and the story or rather the history was most appreciated.

Published 2 months ago by B B Barrett
2.0 out of 5 starsIf you want to know what was wrong with the folks this lady dealt...

Spends her time with you complaining about other people. For me, time can be spent better.

Published 3 months ago by PegM
5.0 out of 5 starsPage turning

Fantastic account of her life as a female professor of philosophy in an increasingly hostile academic environment. Fascinating and inspiring!

Published 4 months ago by MJROFL
5.0 out of 5 starsLove this book

Love this book, this lady. Mrs. Alice von Hildebrand has wisdom, common sense, humility, sense of humor. Wisdom is more important than intelligence. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

History and culture is memorable and very enjoyable

Published 6 months ago by Ann Marie Coryea
4.0 out of 5 starsHow the atheist liberal culture trys to destroy a brilliant...

I enjoyed this book although I would have liked more details of her life with her husband Dr. Hildebrand. Read more

Published 6 months ago by gloria
3.0 out of 5 starsFor a somewhat specialised audience, I feel

Mrs von Hildebrand certainly seems to have a very difficult career! I was constantly waiting for something to 'happen' in her life, but, alas... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Ruth
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat read!

This was a very interesting book. As a former educator I can totally related to the experiences of the writer. I definitely recommend it as a good read. Read more

Published 9 months ago by Donna Long
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

I admire her ability to teach truth, when it is not wanted.

Published 9 months ago by Amazon Customer

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