Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class by Rob Henderson

In his raw coming-of-age memoir "Troubled," Rob Henderson vividly recounts a tumultuous upbringing marked by foster care, poverty, and violence, yet punctuated by his determination to defy expectations. Born to a drug-addicted mother and never knowing his father, Henderson shuttled between ten foster homes in California before finding stability in a loving adoptive family. However, life continued to challenge him, with divorce, tragedy, and financial struggle shaping his adolescence.

Despite these obstacles, Henderson's resolve led him to enlist in the US Air Force and pursue education at elite universities like Yale and Cambridge. Yet, he finds that these achievements feel hollow, as he remains on the outside looking in, grappling with the concept of "luxury beliefs" that confer status on the privileged while harming the less fortunate.

Through Henderson's unflinching narrative, "Troubled" portrays the harsh realities of shattered families and societal inequalities, contrasting his own trajectory with those of friends who ended up incarcerated or dead. He argues that stability and support at home are paramount, overshadowing external accomplishments. Ultimately, Henderson's memoir serves as a poignant reflection on class, privilege, and the enduring impact of early-life adversity.