Tried is a semi-biographical account that covers such experiences as homelessness, building a life through the stereotypical "pulling myself up by the bootstraps," marrying a woman from one of the wealthiest families on earth, experiencing the full contrast between poverty and wealth, recent and current politics and economics, the suffering of rich, poor, and middle class, completing a degree from a Jesuit college, workaholism, living a "proper life," and a return to homelessness due to te economic conditions. Tried covers a lot of areas because it is a reflection of life, which covers even more areas.