Troubled Audiobook By Rob Henderson cover art

Troubled

A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Troubled

By: Rob Henderson
Narrated by: Rob Henderson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.99

Buy for $17.99

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

One of The Economist’s Best Books of the Year!

In this “affecting…intriguing…heartbreaking” (Booklist) coming-of-age memoir, Rob Henderson vividly recounts growing up in foster care, enlisting in the US Air Force, attending elite universities, and pioneering the concept of “luxury beliefs”—ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while inflicting costs on the less fortunate.

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. But divorce, tragedy, poverty, and violence marked his adolescent and teen years, propelling Henderson to join the military upon completing high school.

A “vivid, insightful, poignant, and powerful” (Nicholas A. Christakis, author of Blueprint) portrait of shattered families, desperation, and determination, Troubled recounts Henderson’s expectation-defying young life and juxtaposes his story with those of his friends who wound up incarcerated or killed.

As he navigates the peaks and valleys of social class, Henderson finds that he remains on the outside looking in. His greatest achievements—a military career, an undergraduate education from Yale, a PhD from Cambridge—feel like hollow measures of success. He argues that stability at home is more important than external accomplishments, and he illustrates the ways the most privileged among us benefit from a set of social standards that actively harm the most vulnerable.

©2024 Rob Henderson (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio
Biographies & Memoirs Social Psychology & Interactions Sociology Inspiring Fostering Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Young Adult
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Troubled

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    324
  • 4 Stars
    25
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    276
  • 4 Stars
    38
  • 3 Stars
    16
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    299
  • 4 Stars
    26
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful and important memoir for our times

Well written and well read by the author, Troubled is an excellent memoir and an important testament to the critical role that families play in our broader social challenges.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating

Clear-headed, captivating, and thought provoking. Great commentary on elite school thinking. Highly enjoyable read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow! This book was a non-stop listen.

I loved this book! It explores personal growth and societal issues in a powerful and thought-provoking way. The author's insights and storytelling kept me engaged throughout, providing a fresh view on overcoming challenges and promoting positive change. I recommend this book to those seeking inspiration and profound insights into personal and societal matters. It's a gem that will linger with you after finishing the final page.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An unforgettable read - a MUST for any parents or teachers

Incredible story and insight. I can’t remember the last time I read a book this meaningful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Worth your time

The story Rob tells here was very captivating. I remember knowing some kids who were in the foster care system when I was growing up. I didn't quite realize what it might be like to be in their shoes. The insights he has gained from his upbringing and education are very valuable. I really appreciate the effort that went into sharing them with us. I'm sure most others will too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping and Elucidating Journey

Henderson brings the reader along on the soul bearing journey of his life. In relating the tragedies and people/facts, Troubled examines the current Foster Care system’s flawed design which primarily benefits bureaucrats and many exploitive “parents”.

The authors time at Yale and the observation of the passive-aggressive game of public “virtue” for personal gain was insightful. This helped me understand why so many of our institutions are failing as they are led by many self-serving, low-character Ivy grads devoid of real world life experiences.

This book also changed my concept of child development by exploring how chaos/trauma at a young age can make it almost statistically impossible to become a self-sufficient, high contributor to strengthen our society.

Grateful for the authors self-reflective life story that inspired an examination my own..

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A caring and enlightening memoir

Vocabulary may be at a higher level than the audience it is trying to reach, but it will definitely impact and change lives. Thank you for your honesty and for caring.
Blessings

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Read!

Beautifully written memoir of a difficult childhood. Great commentary on values, social class, and elite western belief systems that damage our most vulnerable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Worth every second and more

outstanding.
Maybe my favorite book this year. I will buy the hard copy and suggest everyone whos si educated read this vook.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

Rob Henderson captures and presents a truthful argument for why the family is crucial for all of society. Not just a luxury for the upper class to enjoy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!