Three Weeks With My Brother

Written by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks

Narrated by Henry Leyva

In January 2003 Nicholas Sparks and his brother Micah set off on a three-week trip around the world.

An adventure by any measure, this trip was especially meaningful as it marked another milestone in the life journey of two brothers who, by their early thirties, were the only surviving members of their family. As Nicholas and Micah travel the globe, from the Taj Mahal to Machu Picchu, the story of their family slowly unfolds.

Just before Nicholas' marriage he and Micah lost their mother in a horseriding accident; a week short of Nicholas' triumphant debut as a novelist with THE NOTEBOOK, the brothers lost their father to a car crash, and just a few short years later they were forced to say goodbye to their sister who died of brain cancer at the young age of 36. Against the backdrop of the main wonders of the world the brothers come together to heal the wounds of this tragic legacy and maintain their determination to live life to its fullest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Little, Brown (Hachette UK) Audio
• Release date: Feb 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781405522946

Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks nació en Estados Unidos en la Nochevieja de 1965. Su primer éxito fue El cuaderno de Noah, al que siguió Mensaje en una botella, que han sido llevadas al cine, al igual que otros de sus éxitos como Noches de tormenta, Querido John y La última canción. Es autor de más de 20 novelas que han sido traducidas a más de 50 idiomas y publicadas en 25 países.

Reviews for Three Weeks With My Brother

[nancynova · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good memoir of the brothers' vacation of a lifetime with around the world tour destinations, juxtaposed with memories of their lives growing up together and their lives as adults

[judithdcollins · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

From NC myself, love all Sparks books...during their trip they discovered startling truths about loss, love and hope. Narrated with irrepressible humor and rare candor, and including personal photographs, Three Weeks with my Brother reminds us to embrace life with all its uncertainties. . . and most of all, to cherish the joyful times, both small and momentous, and the wonderful people who make them possible.

[ava0st0claire · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful read!

[shelby_kuzma · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I first tried to read this book, I could not get into it. However, when I tried again when I had more time and was able to focus on the meaning and significance of the story, I found that I actually enjoyed it.I laughed and cried through his childhood memories, and appreciated the descriptions of the places he visited with his brother. Nicholas Sparks' memoir is a true story of how faith and family love can conquer anything.Even those who are not a fan of the Sparks books should read this story. It is truly inspiring.

[kamgeb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was a fairly interesting biography. I took it at face value until he got to the part about his son having learning disabilities. I am in the field and I know that the US has an amazing early intervention program and there are many very good therapist who help children with disabilities. It didn't make sense why no one helped his child. Why he, as a father, had to reinvent the wheel to teach his child. Once I realized there was something that didn't sound right in that part of the book, it made me wonder about the other parts of the book and whether he was giving us a very distorted view of his life.

[tracylg13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WOW. I had no idea all the heartache and trajedy Nicholas Sparks has endured. I enjoyed the travel stories of him and his brother. It was heartfelt how they leaned on each other through not only the tough times but the good times as well. A great book to share with all family members as it makes you want to reach out to them just to let them know you love them. This being a biography of sorts its different from the other books by Nicholas Sparks. I am glad he took the time out of his hectic life and schedule to share his family with us.

[daniel5estes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

 Here's a touching memoir from Nicholas Sparks, currently one of the more popular authors with credits such as The Notebook, Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember. This account of his life is structured around a multi-continent trip he takes with his older brother, Micah. The stories from his past are the most colored and interesting, and focus on three points of view: His relationship with Micah, the kids' relationship with their mother and the struggles the parents endured to support their family. Micah was a classic firstborn child, often acting as protector to his siblings and always taking risks in his exploration of life. Nicholas, or Nicky, was the middle child, and the boys had a younger sister named Dana. Their mother is a pleasure to read; she has this striking ability to be both unconditionally loving of her children and giving them endless school-of-hard-knocks lessons on life. The family had very little material wealth growing up though the children never knew the difference. The Sparks family experiences many life challenges and tragedy around the time Nicolas is just getting off the ground as an author. I'm of the mind that much good can always come from a great loss. It's just a matter of time and focus. Nicholas Sparks has suffered much though he should rejoice at the art he's been fortunate to pass on to others.

[heheha_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When we read books we often do not think about the author or why he would have someone die in most of his books. Most books have a important lesson that is taught . Three Weeks with My Brother is a memoir that teaches us to appreciate life while you are still living. It it teaches us to love and to cherish everyday and every one. it takes place in different parts of the world while Nicholas and his brother Micah are traveling around the world .While they are traveling they remember there past and they look back a the way things where and why things happened the ways thing happened. It teaches us to never loose faith to remember the ones we lost and to always hope for the better. I would recommend this book to all who love novels by Nicholas Sparks. This book has taught me why he wrote and what inspired him to write a specific novel. It made me laugh in some parts and cry in others and most important It has taught me to put family first in everything.

[jo2son · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This memoir by author Nicholas Sparks and his brother Micah intertwines the story of their lives with a trip they take around the world. Their descriptions of the places they saw were interesting. Reading about their lives and what they have gone through as a family was poignant.

[bermudaonion_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In 2002, Nicholas Sparks received a pamphlet in the mail from Notre Dame, his alma mater, about a three week, around the world trip they were sponsoring. The trip looked wonderful, and Nicholas couldn’t get it out of his mind. He knew that he and his wife couldn’t go, since they had five small children, so he decided to invite his brother. In January and February 2003, the Sparks brothers – Nicholas and Micah embarked on the journey of a lifetime.In Three Weeks With My Brother, Nicholas and Micah open each chapter with a story from their trip that made them reminisce about their past. Since their father was a student when the Sparks children (Micah, Nicholas and Dana) were born, they were poor for most of their childhood. Nicholas didn’t know that milk came in a liquid form until he started school. Their mother was vibrant, charismatic and loving, but she raised her children with few rules, causing them to grow up very close. The family had to move several times over the years and the moves were always much easier for outgoing Micah than they were for introspective Nicholas. Nicholas and Micah have had more than their share of tragedies in their lives, but they’ve also had great triumphs and have learned to appreciate the small things in life.I found this book to be very readable, enjoyable and emotional. I never knew how driven and hard working Nicholas is. He received a track scholarship to Notre Dame, but he’s the first to admit that he’s not a natural athlete, but a very hard working one. Nicholas and Micah are very close and they’re both family men – dedicated to their wives and their children. From the emotion that comes through in this book, I get the feeling that Nicholas writes from the heart. I recommend this book to all Nicholas Sparks fans and those who enjoy memoirs.

[swilliams1203 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so unlike any other Nicholas Sparks book, I was afraid I wouldn't like it. I, however LOVED it! I have read his books for so many years that it was just so riveting reading about his life. It was also very interesting to see what inspired him to write so many of my favorite novels. It was fantastic!

[dfullmer_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a great autobiography/travelogue. I really enjoyed getting to know the author and his brother and hearing the story of their childhood and adult lives. It really gave me some insight into raising my children. Thanks for a great book.

[javajoe96_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was hessitant to read this Sparks book because I knew it was going to be a completely different from his normal book. But I did finally sit down and read it and I love it. I really enjoyed reading this book and but also gave me more insight into his other books and better connection.

[foof2you · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A good story about brother reconnecting and dealing with their past. Using a trip around the world to facilitate the conversation and the joys of world travel.

[bibliophileofalls · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In January 2003, Nicholas Sparks and his brother Micah set off on a three-week trip around the world. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at 37 and 38 respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. As Nicholas and Micah travel the globe, the intimate story of their family unfolds in the details of the untimely deaths of their parents and only sister. Against the backdrop of the wonders of the world, the Sparks brothers band together to heal, to remember, and to learn to live life to the fullest.

[helenvigg · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If you enjoy Nicholas Sparks books, you will enjoy readying about his adventures with his brother Micah, both during their trip and throughout their childhood. Nicholas does an excellent job of interweaving his growing up experiences with his three week trip he took with his brother. It will give you a greater insight of who Nicholas Sparks is and why he writes the heartwarming stories he does and also how so many of his books are from actual events throughout this life.

[karriethelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a moving account of a trip between two brothers who needed to sort through family issues. It was heartwarming and exciting in its own quiet way. It was so nice of Nicholas and Micah Sparks to share their experience with the world.

[bluesviola · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

an interesting story of the lives of 2 brothers woven through their travels around the world. This is NOT a travel book, it is a bio. Probably the only Sparks book worth reading I've been told.

[neverendingstory_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I decided to read Nicolas Sparks "three weeks with my brother " - a memoir about his travels to several historical landmarks around the world with his elder brother Micah for two reasons. One, I had heard a lot about Nicholas Sparks and his wonderful work as an author. Second, due to my immense love for travel and knowing about new places and cultures. Two very good reasons to start the book indeed and I was very upbeat about reading it in days to come. Unfortunately, much to my dismay , the book is far ( read way way far) from justifying Nicholas Sparks image as a great author.For starters, if you think you'd get to know much about the culture and history of landmarks like Machu Pichu in Peru , Ayers Rock in Australia , The Temples at Angkor Cambodia - which are some of the many places the Sparks brothers visit during course of their three week trip - then - well this not the book for you! What you can expect is a touch and go to these places with juvenile antics of Sparks brothers filled with disregard for local cultures of places they visit , their behaviour often edging on being plain crass .First thing one should know as a traveler is to respect different people and cultures. Second, I believe a sense of curiosity is very important if one is to capitalize on any small or big opportunity to travel to any known or not so known place. What makes me so flabbergasted is the way , on more than one occasion, the Sparks brother mocks at places which have thousands years of history and tradition behind them. One doesn't expect them or any other traveler for that matter to be filled with utmost reverence for each and every place that they visit. But then expecting a little respect won't be asking for too much! Consider this :On their first stop on the trip, the brothers visit Yaxhá and Tikal in Guatamala. Yaxhá is both the name of a lagoon and the site of a city built more that 1500 years ago. It was once the third largest city in the Mayan empire. Elder brother Sparks makes a heartfelt comment "I never believed I could get so excited about seeing a pile of dirt!" Subsequently, they visit Tikal - the hub of Mayan life - which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. As the guide is discussing about the historical context of the site , elder brother Micah whispers " Have someone get a picture of me lying on the ( sacrificial) stone, while you pretend to stab me , wouldn't that be cool?" Younger brother Nicholas , seeing the enraged guide ( who happens to be a Mayan) tries to tell the big bro that the guide looked pretty mad, as did people running the tour." You'r insulting their culture !" to which elder brother replies simply that " Ah, they 'll get over it, They won't even remember it" .At Ayer's rock in Australia - the largest single unit or monolith stone in the world, the guide is talking about aboriginals and their culture in which brother Micah is least interested. Younger brother Nicholas says " C'mon it's interesting . It's a culture we know nothing about!" to which Micah snaps "The reason we don't know anything about it because it's boring" . What does one say to a statement like that. It leaves me speechless to both sensitivity and sensibility of the speaker!The conversations ( disheartening as they are to any reasonable person) speaks much about brothers attitude towards other places they would soon visit.These rather bland descriptions of some on the most intriguing places in the world are backdrop to authors biographical account of his growing up years - the hopes, aspirations, ups and downs. For some parts this makes good reading and is filled with insights into struggles he and his family went through over years and how they bonded in the process . I do admire the fact that the author has come a long way from a not so super privileged ( though reasonably middle class ) childhood to being a best selling author. He , like almost everybody does, has had personal trials and tribulations and has in turn gained strength from them to become a stronger person.However, many a times the writing moves from excessive self pitying to narcissism. Time and again, the author talks about extreme poverty they grew up in , how they did not have as much as other kids, how their relatives always had more, how they ate all cookies they could eat when they went to somebodies house, how they'd break most of their cousins toys during visit to their house, how they didn't have air conditioning during a trip to Grand Canyon, how the first house they owned was sooo small - it just had 4 rooms, an office, a living room, kitchen and a converted garage ( which would be considered a luxurious living in many third world countries the brothers later travel to!) .As I said, the book far from justifies Nicholas Sparks' reputation as a great writer. It leaves you wanting for way more by way of quality writing. Hopefully his other novels are better than this one!

[kattepusen · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Oh brother!*If you have ever wondered why Americans have such a bad reputation as tourists, this book gives an amazingly detailed account of narcissistic and vulgar behaviour while traveling abroad. The picture on the back cover shows two suntanned Americans with teeth whiter than the whites of their eyes smiling as if on a photo shoot for L.L Bean (hm, I wonder who their target audience might be?) - yes, they are definitely ready to explore the world having read up on their Jules Verne, of course...It almost felt as if I were reading a satire - surely this could not be written as a serious account? It comes across as extremely insulting and condescending, and I happen to be one of "these Norwegians" that the author claims to be "among the friendliest on earth"... As with most of his "observations", he bases his said conclusion on his interactions with the locals that happen to entertain them while out touring away from the hotel. Or as his insights so succintly states "Over the years, I've visited numerous countries, and I've learned that until you meet the people in a relaxed setting, doing what they normally do, you haven't actually experienced what the country is all about". Wow... I wonder what prevented them to "do what they normally do" in India or Ethiopia...It would mostly be a laughable account suitable for a Christopher Guest mockumentary if it hadn't been for the sheer vulgarity. They shock the natives by pulling selfish pranks on sacred sites, they mock the aborigines and find "this stuff boring", they make fun of the poor guides who are there to "entertain them", they are flabbergasted when a bar in Peru can't find a channel that shows the Super Bowl in English, they make fun of anyone who actually finds interest in architectural details beyond the brochure blurbs and resent their "lecturing", they are bored with ruins if they don't look like a good movie set, they get "museumed out", they call on their cell phones to their spouses back home on top of temples to tell them how incredible it all is... The irony, of course, is that they see themselves as adventure and culture seekers and acute descriptions such as "awesome", "amazing", "unbelievable" and "breathtaking" are littered throughout the text. For a feel of the complexity of the narrattion, sample these nuggets of travelogue speak:"I never believed I could get so excited about seeing a pile of dirt". "There were trillions of flies"."Entire books have been written on the subject of the carvings alone, and it's far beyond the scope of this volume to even attempt to comment on them"."As they say, you must see it to believe it"."Architectually, it's amazing, and I can see why it took decades to build it"."All we could do was stare out the window (of the bus), wondering how on earth people survived like this"."This looks...boring. How long are we supposed to be here?""Saying that you went dogsledding in Norway with a team that once competed in the Iditarod is more fun than the sledding itself"In between the travel diary, we get a presentation of the family history. There are musings about their childhood, the trauma of their parent's deaths (which happened after they were grown up), the sad story about their little sister battling a brain tumor, and some rather bland religious ponderings. Some of their childhood memories are quite touching, like all childhood memories are. However, the story about how the brothers took pride in destroying all their cousins' toys (and still seemingly think this is funny) is ironic since it is completely believable.Also, the author has an almost pathological need to impress his readers with, well, himself...His only seeming fault seems to be that he tries to accomplish too much. After a tirade on how a devoted dad and husband he is, he offers this humble passage: "Somehow, despite all that, I squeezed in time to earn a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, lift weights, and jog daily. I continued to read a hundred books a year. I slept less that five hours a night". Wow - poor superman...By the way, if you go to his website (which is complete with a glossy photo shoot, and where you can read that he has been voted "the sexiest author"), the first thing you get to read is whether you knew if he had a black belt in Tae Kwon Do? I almost feel sorry for the guy...Finally, the passage that lingers in my mind is the author's claim that when he grew up "they were desperately poor" because they were fed powdered milk, oatmeal and potatoes and only received toys for birthdays and Christmas...How anyone can actually write that after visiting some of the places they did (albeit in the comfort of guided tours, air-conditioned buses, and endless cocktail parties) is a sad commentary in itself.