Try Again

Nick Marshall was your average twenty-one-year-old from New Jersey—until he was sentenced to three years in prison for armed robbery. Although he would still be fairly young once released, what kind of life could he have as an ex-con? As Marshall would soon come to find, life on parole was rather limiting, but he was fortunate enough to have a salaried job, a roof over his head, and a car. Yet something still tugged at him: his yearning to be an artist. Fully aware of the hours and schooling that would go into fulfilling such a dream, Marshall gave up his safety net and took his place at the bottom of the totem pole. And like most people starting fresh in the world of employment, he sought out jobs in the hospitality industry.

What Marshall did not expect was for a series of jobs in bars and restaurants to catapult him into the exciting yet treacherous world of New York City nightlife. By connecting with all of the right movers, shakers, gatekeepers, and the like, he began to blaze a new trail. Before he knew it, he was a power player who had it all. Or did he? He began to wonder if trips to Saint-Tropez, infinite freebies, and celebrity-like treatment were enough to let the dream that started it all take a backseat. Yet again, Marshall found himself ready to make a major sacrifice.

Half cautionary tale and half inspirational memoir, Try Again: An Ex-Con's Path from Prison to Prosperity is the story of one man’s climb back into society when the highs and lows of post-prison life kept kicking him down. It is the tale of how almost being blinded by the limelight cost him everything he worked so hard for, as well as his mental health and stability. However, this book is not just for those who have been incarcerated; it is for anyone looking to start anew when they are at their lowest, and it feels like it is utterly impossible. It serves as a reminder that the same mistakes that make us human are the ones that can change our lives indefinitely.