In the epilogue of The Other Wes Moore, author Wes catches the reader up with his activities since being awarded the Rhodes Scholarship. Using the scholarship, he earned a master’s degree at England’s University of Oxford—arriving soon after September 11, 2001. This advanced degree provided a solid basis for his subsequent work in finance on Wall Street. Moore then joined the military and served in the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan. Upon his discharge, he was awarded a fellowship in the White House, serving as an assistant to Secretary of State Rice. He married his wife, who is his best friend. In 2007, he began working on the book.

Author Wes consistently acknowledges the individuals and groups that supported him financially, served as mentors, and previously helped him develop as a responsible, achievement-oriented individual. He praises numerous family members as well as the colonel who was his military mentor, his comrades in arms, and his co-fellows at the White House:

I found myself surrounded by people—starting with my mom, grandparents, uncles, and aunts, and leading to a string of wonderful role models and mentors—who kept pushing me to see more than what was directly in front of me, to see the boundless possibilities of the wider world and the unexplored possibilities within myself.

The difference between “possibilities” and results includes personal responsibility. Whether primarily by temperament or training, author Wes proved to have the tenacity to see many—though not all—projects through to completion. He honestly admits making many mistakes but also reveals his diligence and perseverance, such as by keeping to a strict schedule to finish the book. Regardless of the amount of support behind him, in the end he was responsible for his accomplishments.