This is the true story of one young man's encouraging struggle against drugs and crime. Written for Robert J. Bracke by his adoptive father, Arthur R. Bracke.
This is the true story of Robert's first twenty-one years. Robert, while of above-average intelligence, was unable to read or write due to the devastating effects of his learning disabilities, severe dyslexia and dysgraphia, conditions that were not properly diagnosed until he was placed with Arthur R. Bracke at the age of twelve.
Running Against the Wind is the true story of Robert Bracke. It starts out with his troubled times with the use of drugs and drug dealing. During the book, he recalls the abandonment from his mother, his father's harsh remarriage, drug usage and his miserable young life, growing up in numerous foster homes. This book isn't kind to the reader. It is bold, demanding and harsh with the reality of what life is like for too many people in today's society when they are pushed out into the world and demanded to grow up at a young age.
During this young man's life he had to struggle to "be his own man" by playing into the government's hands by, more or less, being forced into the Governor's Drug Task Force. He ran with his fifteen-year-old girlfriend, Annette, across country to keep from having to testify against criminals who had put a $35,000 price on his head
One reviewer wrote: "While reading this book, I had to stop several times and catch my breath I was aghast at the horrid treatment of this young man and, at the same time, angry with him for being caught up in the game of drugs. It is a reality check book that I believe all parents should purchase for their teens and read with them."
There is no holding back with this book. It shows the way of the underground drug world that very few people know about, but at the same time, it shows the love this father has for his adopted son by recalling the events of their life together. Even though the book is about the son, this is also about the adoptive father who loved his son so much that he was there for him, even if only in his heart and mind at times.