Leslie Odom, Jr. may be best known as Aaron Burr in Broadway’s Hamilton, but he’s had a lot of other roles on his journey to get there. He’s been a son, a student, a token black man, a husband, a father, and an actor in television, commercials, films, and on the stage. He draws on all that experience in his book Failing Up.

Packed with good advice for artists of all kinds, or really, for individuals of all kinds, he offers up excellent ideas for moving forward in a creative career, putting your best foot forward, and taking action even when the phone isn’t ringing. He had strong mentors, so he gives us some of the guidance they shared with him as well as the obvious good advice: get yourself some strong mentors.

Sharing memories from growing up, including his stint in Broadway’s Rent as a high schooler, on through his time on the stage for the smash musical Hamilton, Odom, Jr. shares his thoughts on taking chances, giving up, and being true to yourself.

Leslie Odom, Jr. shares a lesson from his life, along with a personal story to illustrate his point. Not so much a typical memoir as a handbook for living as a successful artist, Failing Up reads a little like a commencement address. But, a really good one. And with the audio book read by the author, it’s about 3-and-a-half hours of good advice for living from someone who has made the most of some amazing opportunities.

This would be a great gift for fans of Hamilton, for wannabe actors or artists, or for anyone who enjoys a good book about how to live a better life. The wisdom and graciousness of Failing Up make this as effective as a self-help book as it is a memoir, and Odom, Jr.’s experiences make for powerful life lessons for us all.