In his absorbing memoir The Man I Became, author Sandy Melanio Rivero describes a life of amazing change, sharing his journey from the slums of Caracas to the streets of New York City. The twelfth of thirteen children, with wit and charm Rivero describes his struggle out of poverty in Venezuela and his subsequent success in America. His autobiography takes him from clerking in New York City liquor stores and check cashing centers, to a career in banking and accounting, to an unexpected second profession as a Spanish-language tutor. (Along the way, Rivero has also traveled the world, and he treats his readers to vivid and engaging descriptions of his journeys.) Often introspective, sometimes picaresque, and always entertaining, The Man I Became shows how Rivero's inquisitiveness, entrepreneurship, tenacity, and impressive linguistic gifts have combined to make him the person he is today. His book has something for everyone, be it tales that entertain, life lessons, or a healthy dose of good old-fashioned inspiration.