The story follows chance, from poor beginnings as the world around him changes at a rapid breakneck pace. Chance is the story of a simple, humble servant of God, of his life and times. It’s a compilation of stories of the man but also the character-building exploits and anecdotes of his family and friends. The story spans a period in time from Presidents Kennedy to Carter, from Mercury 7 to reusable forms of space travel called “shuttles” we would come to know by the names of Columbia, Enterprise, and Challenger. Come along with us and Chance as we learn the importance of faith and community in troubled times and the value of our honor and morals. A good book that I really enjoyed reading. I know it is a blend of fiction and non fiction, but that is ok.

Chance had it rough from birth. Born prematurely, he got injured while doctors pulled him out using forceps. At an early age, he got addicted to porn, and that was his downfall. He could never quite give it up, even if it affected his relationships. It's a very interesting story that you will enjoy.

This book surprised me with its honesty. The vibe is steady and grounded, never trying to impress. I loved how the author lets moments speak for themselves. It feels like listening to someone tell their story exactly as it happened. Great for readers who enjoy memoirs about struggle, identity, and endurance. This one feels lived in and sincere from start to finish.

I couldn’t stop reading. Chance’s early life is tough, but the way it’s told makes it impossible to look away. The story moves smoothly, balancing heartache and hope perfectly. It’s one of those memoirs that feels like it’s speaking directly to you.

I've always admired people like Chance who go through many hardships but still keep moving forward even when they get tired or make some wrong choices. His story reminded me that hardships and mistakes can truly be one of life's greatest teacher..and this memoir honestly felt very real and human to me and it quietly reminds me that even when life starts rough, not giving up can still lead you somewhere better..

An emotional and inspiring memoir that beautifully portrays the strength of the human spirit. Chance: Beginnings is a powerful reminder that even the toughest beginnings can shape a remarkable life.

Wonderful! I loved the first book (SHE NAMED HIM CHANCE) by Robert Essex and had no doubt, CHANCE BEGINNINGS would be just as good if not better. He did not disappoint. A story about growing up during hard times and never giving up. Life can turn in a second and Robert does not hold back in his second book. You have to read this!

Chance: Beginnings presents a beautifully crafted story while navigating religion, trials, and the shifting landscape of the Deep South. The author didn’t just recount his firsthand experiences, he brought the reader along with him, as if we were his shadow in those times. He did an excellent job bringing the setting to life and communicating his thoughts and experiences. Furthermore, the attention to detail was truly remarkable. An admirable amount of care was evidentially expressed as I read through each page. Also, the characters felt especially impactful because of their flaws. With no sugarcoating, I was able to meet the characters as they were: raw, messy, and beautifully human. Robert captured them without a filter, and with respect to their complexities. Learning about Chance’s life was both fascinating and humbling. It takes courage to change in a world where people often seek to be comforted in their sin rather than be uncomfortable in their necessary transformation. We can all learn to keep God’s word in mind more as we navigate through life, as Chance did. What is particularly important to mention is that Chance’s transformation wasn’t linear. He flew, fell, flew, and fell some more. Acknowledging this highlights the reality of human nature. Still, it’s what makes this book truly remarkable. Despite falling, Chance got back up and tried again. Isn’t that the beauty of it all? You can always be better than you were yesterday, because every day is a new ‘beginning’.

A lot of memoirs that lean on faith as a theme end up either preachy or too tidy, and this one avoided both traps, which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of three. Chance's faith wobbles. It fails him in places. It comes back at times he doesn't expect. The author shows all of that without trying to resolve it for the reader, and that honesty is the best thing about the book. The childhood material is the strongest section by a clear margin. A solid first entry from a writer who clearly has more to say.

This book really hit home for me. The memoir shows how life shapes us through hardship and resilience. I felt the struggles, the heartbreak, and the small victories right alongside Chance. The writing is sharp, vivid, and full of grit. It’s a story that will stick with anyone who has ever asked, “Why me?” or “What now?”

Reading Chance's story made me reflect on my own life struggles. The honesty in this memoir is refreshing. Essex captures the tension of growing up in a turbulent time and place with raw emotion. I loved seeing how Chance navigates faith, family, and survival. Every chapter left me wanting to keep going to see what he would do next.

This is a memoir that finds its strength in authenticity. Rather than presenting a polished life story, it embraces the hardships, contradictions, and defining moments that shaped its author from childhood onward. Chance Brogdon’s journey begins under difficult circumstances and unfolds against the backdrop of a changing America. Poverty, family conflict, faith, and social upheaval all play significant roles, but the book never loses sight of the personal experiences at its center. The result is a narrative that feels both deeply individual and broadly relatable. What stands out most is the honesty. The story does not shy away from mistakes, disappointments, or painful memories. At the same time, it carries a thread of perseverance that keeps the memoir from becoming bleak. Humor and reflection are woven throughout, giving balance to the more difficult moments. The writing captures the atmosphere of the era while remaining focused on the people and relationships that shaped Chance’s life. Readers who enjoy memoirs about overcoming adversity, family struggles, faith, and personal growth will find Chance: Beginnings a heartfelt and engaging read.

A lot of memoirs that lean on faith as a theme end up either preachy or too tidy, and this one avoided both traps, which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of three. Chance's faith wobbles. It fails him in places. It comes back at times he doesn't expect. The author shows all of that without trying to resolve it for the reader, and that honesty is the best thing about the book. The childhood material is the strongest section by a clear margin. A solid first entry from a writer who clearly has more to say.

This book really hit home for me. The memoir shows how life shapes us through hardship and resilience. I felt the struggles, the heartbreak, and the small victories right alongside Chance. The writing is sharp, vivid, and full of grit. It's a story that will stick with anyone who has ever asked, "Why me?" or "What now?"

Reading Chance's story made me reflect on my own life struggles. The honesty in this memoir is refreshing. Essex captures the tension of growing up in a turbulent time and place with raw emotion. I loved seeing how Chance navigates faith, family, and survival. Every chapter left me wanting to keep going to see what he would do next.

Memoirs are at their best when they feel genuine, and this one does. The author shares difficult parts of his life with honesty while showing how faith and perseverance helped shape his journey. As a single parent myself, I especially appreciated the reflections on overcoming hardships and choosing a better path for the next generation. Some parts are emotional and take time to process, but they never felt overly dramatic. It is an inspiring and heartfelt read that reminds us our past does not have to determine our future.

Beginnings is the kind of memoir that doesn't try to sell you anything. No big redemption speech waiting at the end, no grand theme hammered into every chapter. Just a man writing down what happened and letting the reader make of it what they will. Essex writes about his boyhood in rural Georgia with a plainness that sneaks up on you. One minute you're reading about a sick baby in a shack, the next you're somewhere twenty years later and you realize how much ground the book has quietly covered. The faith in this book feels honest too. It isn't performed. It shows up the way faith actually shows up in a hard life, sometimes steady, sometimes missing for long stretches, sometimes strong enough to hold. Not a flawless book. A few chapters could have been tighter and there are moments where the timeline blurs. But the voice is real and the story earns its weight. I closed it wanting Book 2.

Three stars, and I mean that as a compliment to most of the book and a small complaint about one thing. The writing is honest, the Georgia setting is drawn well, and the childhood material genuinely moved me. Essex has a voice, no question. What kept this from a four for me was the near-absence of romance. A life this long, a man shaped this much by women, and the love side of the story stays mostly in the background. I wanted more of it. The flickers we do get, the glances, the passing figures, the hints at what Chance felt around certain people, are some of the most alive writing in the book, and then they pass. I'm not asking for a love story dropped into a memoir. I just wanted to feel how his heart moved alongside everything else his life was putting him through. Hoping Book 2 opens that door wider. Still recommend this one. Just go in knowing the romance is a whisper, not a thread.

I got this as a free promotion and the book hooked me right from chapter one. Roberts Essex creates characters that feel genuinely real—flawed, relatable, and deeply compelling. The world-building builds naturally without overwhelming you, and the plot pacing hits that perfect sweet spot between suspense and character development. I genuinely couldn't put it down over the weekend. If you love immersive, character-driven fiction, do yourself a favor and grab a copy!

What a great read. The fact that it is a true story makes it that much more compelling. Easy to read, but powerful.

This book is about a boy in Savannah, Georgia who has a bent back is born to a God-fearing mother. The doctor tries to prepare her for her son to not make it, but she names him anyway. The story follows the boy growing up with a situation of poverty, family conflict, and survival in the deep south in the 1960s. It is a journey of trauma and intergenerational pain that transforms into forgiveness and spiritual healing. It is a book that really hits in the feels and is an enjoyable read. Overall, a great book.

'Chance: Beginnings' was an interesting read because it really takes the time to show where Chance came from and the experiences that helped shape him. Rather than simply jumping into his adult life, the story follows him through his childhood, family relationships, school years, and eventually into adulthood and his career. I especially enjoyed seeing the importance of family and faith throughout Chance's life. There are happy moments, difficult moments, and plenty of experiences that show how the choices people make can affect them later in life. Some of the more emotional parts of the story definitely stayed with me. I also liked getting to know the people around Chance and seeing how his relationships developed over the years. It made him feel more like a complete character instead of just someone we're following through a single event. Overall, 'Chance: Beginnings' is a thoughtful story about family, growing up, relationships, faith, and the experiences that shape a person's life. If you enjoy character-focused stories that follow someone through different stages of their life, this is worth checking out.

Chance: Beginnings is an engaging and thought-provoking story that explores the idea of new beginnings, unexpected opportunities, and the moments that can change the direction of a person’s life. Roberts Essex creates a narrative that encourages readers to consider how chance encounters and difficult choices can shape the paths we ultimately take. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sense of possibility. New beginnings often come with uncertainty, and the story captures the mixture of hope, fear, and excitement that accompanies stepping into unfamiliar territory. Readers are invited to follow a journey where the future is not always predictable. The characters bring emotional depth to the story as they navigate personal challenges and moments of change. Their experiences make the themes of growth and transformation feel more personal and relatable. I especially enjoyed the underlying message about taking chances. Sometimes life presents opportunities when we least expect them, and deciding whether to embrace or walk away from those moments can have lasting consequences. The story encourages readers to reflect on the power of choices and the courage it takes to begin again. Overall, Chance: Beginnings is an engaging read about possibility, personal growth, and embracing the unknown. It is a fitting choice for readers who enjoy character-driven stories centered around change, discovery, and the unpredictable journey of life.

This book was an interesting telling of the life of Chance. It was not always in chronological order, sometimes it jumped back and forth in the timeline, but I enjoyed the writing style. As the cover says it is definitely unfiltered real life. There were many explicit tellings of sexual encounters and desires for a book about faith and family. I saw the elements of faith throughout but more as a nice feeling and something to help keep him going instead of really changing the way he lived his life. Overall the story was written well and shows how life really isn't always the perfect happy ending. I received this book for free.

I enjoyed the content in this book. I find it engaging and interesting. This is a good memoir. I enjoyed reading about the author's childhood in Georgia and the Deep South. Chance's transformation and his ability to overcome challenges were very inspiring. I like how Chance never gave up and kept trying. He is a humble man and loves God. Chance: Beginnings is a story told wonderfully. The characters were interesting and flawed. This is a well-written book.

I proudly "kinda" know the author. This story of his early years could be the story of a lot of us southern males and brought back some memories of my formative years. Look forward to the next collection of his memories. Buy the book. You will enjoy it , and he rides a Harley on a sandy road so you know he needs the money !

A man's memoir of how he overcame a very challenging life while living in the south

Good memoir. Honest one too. Essex doesn't flatter himself and doesn't turn his childhood into a lesson plan, which is more than I can say for most books in this lane. The Georgia setting is drawn well without getting precious about it, and the pace moves the way memory actually moves, uneven and a little jumpy. Four stars because the middle stretch lost me for a bit and a couple of the secondary figures stayed flat when I wanted more of them. Still a strong debut and I'd happily read the next one.

There's a quiet confidence to this memoir that I wasn't expecting from a debut. Roberts Essex isn't a trained writer and he says so himself, but that turns out to be part of the book's strength. He writes the way people actually talk when they've stopped trying to impress anybody. You can feel the years behind each sentence. The childhood chapters in particular are tremendous, full of specific detail, the kind you cannot fake. A stained barn door, a Sunday supper, a mother's voice, a bruise that never quite healed. Essex lets the small things carry the weight, which is what the best memoirists do. He also does something I admire, which is sit inside the hard moments instead of rushing past them to the next beat. Poverty, illness, tension in the house, the slow pressure of growing up in a segregated South, none of it gets waved away. And when faith enters the story, and it does enter often, it never feels performed. My only real note is that I'd have liked a bit more from the older narrator looking back, a stronger sense of the man writing now versus the boy being written about. But that's a small thing. This is a real book by a real man and I'll be reading Book 2 the moment it drops.