Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Memoirs of a Happy Failure

By: Alice von Hildebrand, John Henry Crosby
Narrated by: Winsome Brown
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $11.66

Buy for $11.66

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Alice von Hildebrand is a household name to millions who know her from her countless appearances on EWTN, her many important books, and her voluminous articles and essays.

But little known is the story of her life, notably the 37 years she spent at Hunter College in New York City.

There, despite unceasing opposition that might have defeated even the strongest of souls, she endured with grace and devotion, leaving a mark on a generation of students through her defense of truth through persuasion, wit, and love. By showing her students how truth fulfills the deepest longings of the human heart, she helped to liberate countless students from the oppressive relativism of the day, enabling many of them to find their way to God.

Now, for the first time, discover Alice von Hildebrand’s story told memorably in her own words, including:

  • Her thrilling escape from Europe that was nearly halted by a Nazi ship
  • Her early days in America and her dedication to education and cultivating wisdom
  • Her marriage to the great philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand
  • Her victories and defeats at Hunter where she was surrounded by a culture of relativism
  • And much more...

Memoirs of a Happy Failure is a fascinating glimpse - drawn from the caverns of memory - into the life of one of contemporary Catholicism’s most compelling minds. At once bold and vulnerable, it is the story of courage, faith, and the power of one person’s witness to transform the world.

©2014 Alice von Hildebrand (P)2022 Saint Benedict Press
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Memoirs of a Happy Failure

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    24
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring

I attended Hunter College when the riots were staged by the Communist professors. I had already fulfilled my philosophy requirements, so I did not need to take the professor's courses. Her story about teaching truth upsetting faculty members who undermine her is true and sad. She is an inspiration for those who are seeking the truth about reality.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A true delight.

I loved this book. I would recommend this to all who have an interest in seeking truth in their lives. It is an inspirational story of courage and integrity. Five stars.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderfull All Around

I was looking for an Alice or Dietrich Von Hildebrand book to listen to and chose this one because the narrator was easy to listen to. The book was so engaging, and somehow timeless.. we appear to deal with the same issues and enemies today as she dealt with 50 years ago. I finished it in one day. Great read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Could not stop listening…

This was a most exciting listen! I highly recommend it as proof that evangelization happens when it’s not supposed to in an environment hostile to truth. God wins. He always does.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspirational and Enlightening Life

A peek at a life well lived during very interesting times... thank you Mrs vonHildebrand

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

Captivating memoir of a life devoted to truth and education. Worthwhile read, motivating, and uplifting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Illuminating

I am going to read more of this author! I had a mini Philosophy Course, an history snapshot, a lift of my spirit all in one book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The objectivity of truth

Great story about an academic slogging it out at a university, taking a stand for teaching philosophy with intellectual honesty and taking seriously the objectivity of truth in the sea of 20th century relativism.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!