The Pursuit of Happyness: The Life Story That Inspired the Major Motion Picture

Chris Gardner's memoir recounts his journey from a homeless father to a successful Wall Street financier. A Milwaukee native who left the Navy at twenty, Gardner initially pursued medicine in San Francisco, where he was considered a prodigy in scientific research. He shifted direction toward high finance, securing an entry-level position at a prestigious firm. However, he soon faced severe hardship, becoming part of the city's working homeless population while raising a toddler son. Driven by a childhood promise to himself never to abandon his own children, Gardner and his son spent nearly a year in shelters, soup lines, and even a subway station restroom. Despite these circumstances, Gardner transformed his life, moving from poverty to become a prominent figure in the financial district. The memoir explores not only his financial success but also his determination to break a family cycle of paternal abandonment. Gardner's account addresses his experiences growing up Black and male in late twentieth-century urban America, presenting an honest depiction of these formative years alongside his professional achievements.