The Long Way Around, writes the author in the prologue to his memoir, “is a story of the resilience of the human spirit, of the power we all have within ourselves to persevere and overcome.”

Raised by an impoverished Mormon family amid drug and child abuse, Nicolas Strong is sent to earn his family’s keep on a Texas oil rig at age 18. Although he tries to live by church values, as time passes, his tempestuous nature thwarts his happiness. Nonetheless, he succeeds at school and business, earning his bachelor’s degree and eventually becoming a serious player in the construction industry. However, the thrill seeker who “didn’t take any flak from anyone,” who loved motorcycles and racing cars, winds up in dangerous conflicts, physical fights, and legal drama.

After three failed marriages, Strong finally finds happiness as a rancher with his true love, Renee. In the aftermath of COVID, he sells the ranch and retires to the country.

The book’s writing style is straightforward and clear, and Strong delivers color and detail—sometimes too much— about cars, Harley motorcycles and construction work. However, there’s a lot of tough talking and too little about the author’s inner, emotional landscape to make his rough journey to serenity live up to the prologue’s promise.

For example, after years of substance abuse, Strong writes, he decided, “to quit doing drugs and drinking alcohol altogether,” using relaxation and meditation — a transformation depicted with little angst that plays out over just one page. Meanwhile, some important loose ends stand out, notably an unresolved charge of attempted rape (the author writes that he just “placed [his] hand on her upper arm”) in Chapter Two.

This could be a compelling story if Strong had focused less on victories over bullies and more on his vulnerability in relationships with the people causing his pain. As is, it’s likely to have limited appeal to devoted memoir readers.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.