My Piece and My Peace: The Autobiography of Brandon A. Rowell

Rowell shares his turbulent life story, mainly comprised of issues he faced battling adversity while working in the insurance industry and his romantic struggles with his longtime partner, in this uneven debut. Rowell, who is African-American and worked as a sales representative and then client executive for MetLife, sued the company in 2012 for discrimination, claiming his client assignments were based on race and that he was denied larger opportunities. Rowell’s telling is haphazard and sloppily delivered, unfortunately, with frequent switches mid-paragraph to muse on his ex-girlfriend, Jessica. The few moments of tension come when exploring the turmoil (often due to jealousy and miscommunication) that led to the end of their relationship after five years. Rowell, who initially lost his lawsuit but has an appeal pending, provides an eye-opening account of how his efforts have been stifled but his hope and tenacity has never wavered. In the end, Rowell uplifts with his message of perseverance: “I endeavor to leave every situation better than I found it. You’re only as strong as your name and the reputation that precedes it.” While Rowell’s structure is unwieldy and his prose is unpolished, his story of perseverance will appeal to readers of self-improvement memoirs. (Self-published)