The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs

Robert Peace was a very bright kid from the mean streets of Newark, NJ. He was raised by a single mother (after his father went to jail). She was determined that he would get a good education. She got him into St. Benedict's Prep, which led to a scholarship to Yale. He majored in Molecular Biophysics and Chemistry--while maintaining a lucrative secondary career as a drug dealer for Yale students. And the lure of the quick money that could be made from drugs was what derailed what could have been a successful, productive future. Indeed, as you read his story, you are saddened by what this guy could have accomplished with that quick intelligence and dynamic personality, if only...

The book was written by his Yale roommate--who knew Rob well in some respects but not at all in others. We learn that Rob was very disciplined when it came to his studies, a loyal friend, a good son, an avid traveler, a charismatic leader. And you can only wonder how his life would have turned out if he had listened to the friend who told him he had to get out of Newark and leave it far behind.