The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League

Written by:
Jeff Hobbs
Narrated by:
George Newbern

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
37
Narrator
15
Release Date
September 2014
Duration
13 hours 21 minutes
Summary
*Now a major motion picture—Rob Peace—starring Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, and Chiwetel Ejiofor*

*Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, Entertainment Weekly, and more* The New York Times bestselling account of a young African-American man who escaped Newark, NJ, to attend Yale, but still faced the dangers of the streets when he returned is, “nuanced and shattering” (People) and “mesmeric” (The New York Times Book Review).

When author Jeff Hobbs arrived at Yale University, he became fast friends with the man who would be his college roommate for four years, Robert Peace. Robert’s life was rough from the beginning in the crime-ridden streets of Newark in the 1980s, with his father in jail and his mother earning less than $15,000 a year. But Robert was a brilliant student, and it was supposed to get easier when he was accepted to Yale, where he studied molecular biochemistry and biophysics. But it didn’t get easier. Robert carried with him the difficult dual nature of his existence, trying to fit in at Yale, and at home on breaks.

A compelling and honest portrait of Robert’s relationships—with his struggling mother, with his incarcerated father, with his teachers and friends—The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace encompasses the most enduring conflicts in America: race, class, drugs, community, imprisonment, education, family, friendship, and love. It’s about the collision of two fiercely insular worlds—the ivy-covered campus of Yale University and the slums of Newark, New Jersey, and the difficulty of going from one to the other and then back again. It’s about trying to live a decent life in America. But most all this “fresh, compelling” (The Washington Post) story is about the tragic life of one singular brilliant young man. His end, a violent one, is heartbreaking and powerful and “a haunting American tragedy for our times” (Entertainment Weekly).
Reviews
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E Sanchez

This is the second time I've read this book. Powerful message, a young man with tremendous potential can't seem to leave his past behind him.

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Eman A.

Excellent book and story that illustrates the reality of social and racial injustices!

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dante s

Powerful book I recommend everyone read it ! Very inspiring and at the same time a true depiction of life in America for a black man

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Marah W

The narrator was very good. I found the life story of Rob Peace interesting but the book boring - if you can understand that.

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Julie M

The narration was great. The story was heartbreaking because Rob Peace was so intelligent but so tragic on making so many bad decisions..........What a waste!!!!

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Paige Rubio

This was an excellent listen! The story of Rob Peace as told through the eyes of his college roommate was amazing and heartbreaking. I hope to see more books from this author in the future.

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