Robert Peace had *nothing* going for him. Born in a ghetto just outside of Newark, he was raised by a single mother while his father was imprisoned for a double murder. And yet, Robert had innate qualities inside -- drive, intelligence, curiosity, leadership -- that had him destined for something beyond the fate assigned to almost all others in his neighborhood. These qualities ulimately landed him a spot at Yale, with all expenses paid by a generous benefactor.

We know from the book's title that the story doesn't have a happy ending. Written by Peace's former Yale roommate, Jeff Hobbs, this book doesn't answer the "Why?" -- frankly, I don't think anyone will ever know. However, Hobbs paints a picture of a brilliant young man who can't find his way in life. He doesn't feel at ease in the rarified world of the elite, and while he wants to leave the ghetto he can't seem to find a way out. Thought provoking and devastating all at once. ( )

This book was well written but the title says it all. It left me angry that this brilliant man couldn't let go of his own anger and drug dealing to take advantage of the gifts he was given. ( )

I listened to the audio version of this book. The narration was excellent. The story is a sad one. As I 40-year veteran teacher, I have had several Rob Peaces in my classes over those years, although none quite as talented as he was. I also never had a student facing quite as many challenges as Rob did. The story follows Peace through college at Yale, on complete scholarship compliments of a generous donor to the prep academy he attended before college. The author was one of Rob’s college roommates. Jeff Hobbs is obviously a gifted writer. His writing style contrasts starkly with the world Rob Peace grew up in and went back to after he graduated from Yale. Sometimes Hobbs’ descriptions of trying to fit in with Rob’s Black friends are almost comical, genuine as they are. That said, few people in Rob’s troubled world were as close to him as Hobbs was. Hobbs’ memoir is characteristic of many memoirs these days. It includes many conversations and situations that Hobbs didn’t witness but for which he includes details that only a person who was in the situation should be able to report. I’ve never known how that worked in memoirs, but that seems to be the style with most memoir writing these days. That said, the overall story here is probably accurate and is completely disturbing. I would recommend this book to those looking for a genuine story of achievement gone bad. Just make sure you can handle the outcome. ( )

This biography is a terrific piece of narrative non-fiction that really highlights in so many ways what it means to be a human being. Robert Peace grew up the son of a hardworking single mother and an imprisoned father in Newark, NJ amidst urban blight. Highly intelligent, curious, and driven, he manages to thrive in a religious private school and ultimately is accepted and attends Yale, majoring in molecular biology. Unfortunately, he is never quite able to leave his roots behind, and he continuously deals drugs before, during, and after college. Ultimately, Robert "fails to launch" and is unable to truly extricate himself from his neighborhood and drugs.

The story is told powerfully by his college roommate, Jeff. What makes this book special is that it leaves the reader to draw their own conclusion. Is this a story of a man who just makes poor choices and squanders opportunities? Is this the story of a man whose early childhood was so fraught with trauma that it couldn't be overcome despite his intellect? Is this a story about the vagaries of luck and life decisions? Obviously, no one can really infer policy based on one person's story, but this book raises every societal question. It's truly heartbreaking, and I think the author did his best to leave judgement aside.

At the end of the book there is an interview with the author, and one thing he said really struck me. He noted how the children of the upper classes, those who have attended the best private schools and lived in expensive suburbs, really "get" that adult guidance is there for the taking and avail themselves of it frequently and without hesitation. Unfortunately, children in less fortunate circumstance, need these adults more and avail themselves of them less. In my experience, this is true, and I just wonder how those of us who have given every bit of guidance to our own children might extend ourselves further and proactively to children who truly need it. After reading this book, I intend to seek out that opportunity. ( )

Wendy Sheanin rec, Colin Harrison edit