The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace

A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League

By: Jeff Hobbs

Narrated by: George Newbern

A heartfelt, and riveting biography of the short life of a talented young African-American man who escapes the slums of Newark for Yale University only to succumb to the dangers of the streets - and of one's own nature - when he returns home.

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, "fronting" in Yale, and at home.

Through an honest rendering of Robert's relationships - with his struggling mother, with his incarcerated father, with his teachers and friends and fellow drug dealers - 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 Newark, New Jersey, and the difficulty of going from one to the other and then back again. It's about poverty, the challenges of single motherhood, and the struggle to find male role models in a community where a man is more likely to go to prison than to college. It's about reaching one's greatest potential and taking responsibility for your family no matter the cost. It's about trying to live a decent life in America. But most all the story is about the tragic life of one singular brilliant young man. His end, a violent one, is heartbreaking and powerful and unforgettable.

©2014 Simon & Schuster Audio (P)2014 Jeff Hobbs

Everyone Should Read this Book

What made the experience of listening to The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace the most enjoyable?

Robert Peace, the main character, is charismatic, driven, focused, and flawed. HIs should've been a life of steady ascension, despite a tough start in life, and instead he ended up driving in literal circles. The book functions not only as a tale of triumph and loss, but also as an object lesson in the problems poor kids face in improving their status/lot in life. And the book does it without wallowing, and in beautiful prose that sidles up to poetry.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace?

There was no single moment: as this tale is a series of small moments, of how tiny hiccups--which would be totally surmountable by the middle class, and even the lower middle class--are the stuff that derails lives and destroys opportunities, for those who live below the poverty line. But it is not all tragic, in it, Robert's extraordinariness shines through and there joy he experienced in his life is conveyed here too.

Have you listened to any of George Newbern’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I thought he was wonderful, really excellent. The quality of this narration would make me seek out his other projects.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I only stopped because I fell asleep.

Any additional comments?

I think anyone who is curious about why poverty is ingrained as a seeming unovercomable obstacle in this country should read this book.

Heartbreaking!!

Life is all about choices and the readers got to be a fly on the wall when it came to how and why Rob made the choices that he did. The narrator was excellent!! His voice and they way he read the story with such compassion was as if he himself know Rob. The author did an excellent job letting the readers get to know Rob as a person. I really felt as though by the end of the book I was a friend to Rob, he did his friend justice with this autobiography.

Gripping

Amazing book. I was Unable to put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Great story!

This book was well-written. It is a great story about reaching your potential and flows smoothly throughout. At times, I found myself happy, frustrated, and saddened - which is usually what I consider to be a good book. I like to be moved or affected by a storyline and The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace did that. The fact that it is a true story makes it even more compelling.

Compelling, tragic story .

Gritty and well constructed look at life in America's forgotten urban core. The harsh realities of how hard it is to overcome the circumstances of poverty unfold through the telling of Robert Peace's prominent and tragic life. A heartbreaking story that deserves to be told and studied. How do we help all the other young lifes left behind.....

Eye opening!

No matter how much you love your child, nor how good your intent while raising them, they have their own minds and are going to do what feels right to them. I feel for the parents who go through this this horrible loss.

Amazing book!! Great story, great narration

I finished the book in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. I saw some of the reviews and giving this book less than at least a 4 star rating is beyond what I can understand. I wish it was made into a movie, it would definitely be a good watch too. I for sure recommend reading this sad but amazing story.

rewarding read....

This book was very well written and I enjoyed the narrator. It started out a little tedious but 3 or 4 chapters in.....it becomes difficult to put down. This young man had so much potential to be successful but allowed himself to be his own worst enemy which led to his demise
..happens all to often.....a

Wow ... Seriously Wow!!

This book is inspiring. Being the same age as the author and individuals in this story I truly related to many aspects! Great book

A Sadly True, Modern American Tragedy

Beautifully written and researched by Robert Peace's college roommate, The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace blends a triumphant coming of age story with the sadly true story arc of a classic tragedy. I can't recommend this book highly enough.