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Troubled

A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

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Troubled

By: Rob Henderson
Narrated by: Rob Henderson
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About this listen

In this raw coming-of-age memoir, Rob Henderson vividly recounts growing up in foster care, enlisting in the US Air Force, attending elite universities - and what he learnt from seeing life from both sides of the tracks.

Rob Henderson was born to a drug-addicted mother and a father he never met, ultimately shuttling between ten different foster homes in California. When he was adopted into a loving family, he hoped that life would finally be stable and safe. He was wrong: tragedy, poverty and violence marked his adolescent years.

An unflinching portrait of shattered families, desperation, and determination, Troubled recounts how Henderson eventually managed to find an escape route through the military, which led to an academic career at Yale and Cambridge. As he reflects on the fate of many of his friends - drugs, death, prison - Henderson never escapes the feeling of being on the outside looking in, or a sense that his academic achievements are hollow compared to the love and protection that comes from stable family life. He dissects the hypocrisies of contemporary social class and shows how the most privileged among us benefit from a set of 'luxury beliefs' that actively harm the most vulnerable.

©2024 Rob Henderson (P)2024 Hachette Audio Military & War Memoir Military Fostering
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This book is essential listening for Rob’s perspective on being a foster child, societal disfunction, family complications, addiction, masculinity, the function of the military and how having a goal is important to orient your life.
I found this memoir occasionally deeply discomforting about the choices made (by adults and himself) and the circumstances in young Rob’s life - though that speaks more to my values than Rob’s. While this memoir has a hopeful ending trajectory, there is a lot to learn from his story and choices you can make in your own life (and being a parent). The last statement in the book has a lasting imprint on my mind.

Broaden your perspective

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This audiobook delivers a captivating underdog narrative combined with sincere introspection. It presents a well articulated theory that explores the discrepancy between the values professed and the actions demonstrated by the upper class. The narration enhances the overall experience, making it an engaging listen. Highly recommended for those interested in social dynamics and personal journeys.

Insightful Exploration of Discrepancy and Self-Discovery

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A great personal story and assessment of the University system and class in America, amazing!

Captivating listen from start to finish!

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Rob’s story is told without seeking pity but with a matter of factness that belies the trauma he has experienced. His luxury beliefs theory should have influence on college campuses everywhere. He does an incredible job of getting to the crux of the issues of class that are not solved by identity politics

Fantastic story

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Wow wonderful written memoir of some horrible situations and hope for young people to turn their life around. Raw and truthful well written and I am glad it was recommended in the abc book club.

Great recommendation

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Greatly immersive. A hard book to hide from, in simulating Rob's experiences whilst listening. Something feels like the book's logic is able to chase you and upend your balanced approach to each of the environments. Felt somewhat like you lived the story but also observed it through the authors eyes, and then watched yourself watching the author experience it again. I still feel a good summary is that, it felt like being punched in the feels... neigh impossible to ignore the pain and to simulate one's own ability to survive it in an abstract way and then being chased by those concepts. Thanks for writing it Rob. Was nice to have what felt like a proper emotional response each time I sat down to listen. Glad you didn't hit any trees that time and woke up in the back of the car instead...

Felt like being punched... in a good way

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This is an important book. Henderson articulates the weakness of current victimhood anti-racist anti-sexist arguments.

landmark book

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.