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

In The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, Jeff Hobbs’ seamlessly weaves the socioeconomic and racial realities of the residents of Newark, New Jersey while highlighting the story of a mother and son, Jackie and Robert Peace. Hobbs’ research and intimate writing style provides the reader with an in-depth view of what Jackie endured to give her son a chance at a better life. It also effectively demonstrates how someone like Robert Peace, who is given every chance at a better life, can still make the choices that ultimately leads to their demise. For those who have been blessed, or lucky, to live above poverty it can be difficult to understand just how difficult it can be to be truly poor. The struggles are not limited strictly to a lack of funds but also to location, education, and family demands, among other things. To provide a greater opportunity for her son, Jackie Peace, did her best to overcome each of these limitations. While working she sought higher education so as to further her career prospects. To pay for private school she had to work long hours at multiple jobs and in turn was given less time to spend with her son. This is a summary and analysis of the book and NOT the original book