A Knight without a Castle

While some would hail Katwe as a den of failures, Robert Katende sees it as a training ground for future kings and queens. His work has started a movement which has caught the attention of world leaders Bill and Melinda Gates and the Obama Foundation, with many more on the horizon.

Once too poor to afford the rat poison with which he planned to take his own life, Robert's legacy tells an astonishing true story of resilience and hope. His work was made famous in the Disney movie Queen of Katwe, a biographical drama about a 13-year-old girl who became a Uganda National Chess Champion under Robert's mentorship. Now, listeners will get a firsthand account of how it all started, and the life of the man behind Phiona Mutesi's world-renowned accomplishments.

The first half of the audiobook chronicles the life of Robert Katende - a war refugee turned missionary living the improbable dream to empower kids in Ugandan slums through chess - a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. You'll ride along the deep valleys and high mountaintops of Robert's childhood as he beats impossibilities that would have likely crushed anyone else. The second half of the book - written with research partner and debut author Nathan Kiwere -presents heartfelt testimonies from Katende's students.

Robert's life illuminates a situation many will find difficult to imagine. However, his life will inspire you to achieve great things against insurmountable obstacles.