STRIVER is an absorbing narrative that describes the the evolution of a man's life, from the heights of his early professional achievements, to the depths of his personal despair through family neglect, to his ultimate, inspiring self-realization. With a brilliant career as a literary critic ahead of him, Bob Balakian refuses to sacrifice his professional aspirations to his needy wife and children, resulting in a painful divorce. The dissolution of his family life is intensified by his involvement in the academic turmoil at Columbia University and the Open Admissions controversy at CCNY during the 1960's and '70's. With vivid scenes that mark the tensions between a man's career and his concern for family as well as the social pressures that weigh upon him, STRIVER will resonate with readers who deal constantly with a core issue of American society: a healthy marriage balanced by a rewarding career for anyone who seeks to lead a meaningful life.