Book Review: Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Same Kind of Different as Me is a moving and unforgettable memoir co-authored by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, with Lynn Vincent. Though nearly two decades have passed since its release, the story remains as relevant and heart-opening as ever—a timeless reminder of how friendship, faith, and compassion can transcend all barriers.

The book follows the lives of two men from vastly different worlds. Ron Hall, a successful art dealer from Texas, lived a life of wealth and privilege, but one often marked by disconnection—from his father, from his wife, and ultimately from himself. Denver Moore, born into a life of poverty and racism in 1937 Louisiana, worked as a sharecropper for nearly thirty years before living homeless on the streets of Fort Worth. Though their backgrounds couldn’t be more different, their lives are woven together through the kindness and vision of Ron’s wife, Deborah.

The first part of the memoir explores each man’s upbringing. Ron shares memories of growing up in a lower-middle-class white family, caring for his father who struggled with alcoholism, and witnessing the quiet but ever-present racism of the segregated South. Meanwhile, Denver recounts his harrowing experiences as a Black man in the Jim Crow South, working under brutal conditions and experiencing violent racism—an attack by three white men as a teen being a moment that permanently shaped his view of the world.

After decades of hardship, Denver ends up in Fort Worth, homeless and known on the streets as “Suicide,” viewed by many as dangerous and volatile. Ron, now married to Deborah and thriving professionally, is consumed by material success and momentarily strays from his marriage. But Deborah’s faith and resilience pull them back together—just in time for her to introduce Ron to a higher purpose.

Deborah begins volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission and urges Ron to join her. She tells him about a dream she had of a wise man who would one day change the city. Soon after, she sees Denver and recognizes him from that dream. Despite Ron’s hesitation, Deborah is determined for the two men to become friends.

At first, their relationship is tense. Ron is unsure, and Denver is guarded. But through time, patience, and the persistent grace of Deborah, the two form a bond that goes beyond friendship—it becomes a chosen family. Denver teaches Ron what it truly means to be humble, to listen, and to love unconditionally. Through their connection, Ron is also able to heal his fractured relationship with his own father.

Tragedy strikes when Deborah is diagnosed with cancer. Despite her unwavering faith and a long, courageous battle, she passes away. Her death shakes Ron to his core, while Denver—ever wise despite his lack of formal education—believes her passing must be part of a greater purpose they can’t yet understand. Together, they lean on one another to navigate grief, loss, and the questions that follow.

Denver’s eulogy for Deborah is one of the most powerful moments in the book:

“You was the onliest person that looked past my skin and past my meanness and saw that there was somebody on the inside worth savin’… You loved me for who I was on the inside, the person God meant for me to be.”

In honoring Deborah’s final wish, Ron invites Denver to move in with him and his children. The two decide to write their story together and begin speaking across the country about their unlikely friendship and the woman who brought them together. Their journey takes them to Denver’s hometown in Louisiana, where Ron witnesses firsthand the injustice Denver endured. The book closes with the two men attending President George W. Bush’s second inauguration—symbolic of how far Denver had come, and how powerfully lives can change when hearts open.

As Denver wisely says:

“We all just regular folks walkin’ down the road God done set in front of us… this earth ain’t no final restin’ place. So in a way, we is all homeless — just workin’ our way toward a home.”

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Today, Same Kind of Different as Me continues to inspire new generations of readers with its heartfelt message. Its themes—racial reconciliation, service, humlity, faith, and love—are just as vital in today’s world as they were in 2006. The story was adapted into a feature film in 2017, produced by Ron Hall, and remains a faithful retelling of this life-changing friendship.

For those interested in continuing Deborah’s legacy, the Same Kind of Different As Me Foundation carries on important work to support underserved and homeless communities. This book is more than a memoir—it’s a call to see each other more clearly, love more deeply, and live with purpose.

If you’re looking for a story that challenges your perspective, lifts your heart, and reminds you what really matters, Same Kind of Different as Me is a must-read.