Wes Moore set out on a quest to research this other young man named Wes Moore after seeing articles about each other in The Baltimore Sun. Much of the resulting story contrasts his opportunities, like his success as a Rhodes Scholar, with those that were afford to the other Wes Moore, who was convicted of armed robbery. How could two young black men with the same name, growing up in the same city and neighborhood, have such different lives? Moore tells both stories with a compassionate yet a distanced honesty. He tries to balance all of the factors that influenced both of their lives with immense gratitude and deep pride. Although he identifies some factors that can change the course of a young person’s life, like choice, mindset, and mentorship, he concludes that many of these things come down to privilege, and that the distribution of privilege in life is often arbitrary, a matter of luck.

Without the support and love from his mother Joy, Moore’s life may have ended up much like that of the other Wes Moore. After the sudden and tragic death of Moore’s father, Joy summoned all her strength to move to New York City, opting to live with her parents to give her children the chance at a normal life.