Need Blind Ambition

by Kevin Myers

The road to higher ed is paved with good intentions.

The desire for relevance—and to save his marriage—is ultimately what pushed Peter Cook to leave his beloved Alaska for the prestigious Parker College. Lured by the chance to work with his childhood political idol turned college president, Peter moves his family to Portland, Oregon to help promote his hero's fundraising initiative that would eliminate financial status from the college's admissions process.

Peter arrives on campus as the Great Recession looms, the stock market is trending toward disaster, and the opioid crisis has breached the walls of the privileged college. He quickly learns the reality of Parker College strays far from its professed idealistic mission after discovering a plot to cover-up felonious drug activity in return for a seven-figure payday to the Need Blind Campaign.

While plumbing the depths of his conscience for the conviction to do the right thing, Peter's untreated childhood trauma resurfaces, threatening to cloud his perception when it needs to be at its sharpest. Peter must stabilize his mental health while also trying to parse competing versions of "the truth" as law enforcement investigates the criminal conspiracy.

Need Blind Ambition how far will a college stray to protect its reputation?

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2023

Reviews

[Matt Heavner · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book! Especially if you love/live higher education and Southeast Alaska.

[Ashley Potter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - if this wasn’t based on Reed College, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much. It took a good 50%, but then I was invested.

[Tim Budrewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need Blind Ambition is a smart, engrossing, and thought-provoking novel that explores the dark side of the higher education system. The story follows Peter Cook, a man who leaves his beloved Alaska to work at Parker College, a prestigious private school in Portland, Oregon. Peter is initially drawn to Parker's need-blind admissions policy, which means that the school does not consider a student's financial status when making admissions decisions. However, he quickly learns that the reality of Parker College is far from its idealistic mission.

The novel tackles a number of important issues, including the cost of college, the admissions process, and the pressure to succeed. Myers does an excellent job of balancing these complex issues with a compelling story. The characters are well-developed and believable, and the plot is suspenseful and unpredictable.

Need Blind Ambition is a must-read for anyone who is interested in higher education or the American Dream. It is a powerful and timely novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

[Lukas Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s called Parker College, but we all know it’s Reed.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Cook leaves his beloved home in Alaska to save his marriage and provide for his family. He lands in Portland, OR and takes a public relations position at an elite college. Before he's officially on the clock, he find himself in the middle of a campus tragedy. In an effort to answer questions and represent the college well, Peter unearths secrets and scandal - not just at the college but buried deep in his childhood.

Fast paced and alternatively funny and tense, "Need Blind Ambition" kept me up past my bedtime. Kevin Myers has a real talent for creating flawed, vulnerable and lovable lead characters in impossible situations. I can't stand not knowing what's going to happen! I highly recommend this book and his first novel, "Hidden Falls."

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Cook ups and moves his family from Alaska to Portland, Oregon for a new job at Parker College. He not only is excited to be working with someone he idolizes, he is also hoping to save his marriage and deal with his mental issues since he has some suicidal tendencies. Before arriving at the college, a homeless man dies from a drug overdose which could be more than first perceived.

With that said, I thought it was an interesting premise, but I didn’t connect with the main character, Peter. I also felt it was slow moving and although I completed reading it, I felt I missed something as it was really for me.

[Ron Turker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Took me a few chapters to get into it the swing but once I did, the story pulled me right along! Told through the lens of a brand new P.R. person arriving at an elite college in Portland, OR, it is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at this (quasi-fictional) institution. And how the driving force for so many colleges is reputation über alles.
Riveting character struggles. Well done!
I would have loved to learn a little more about the protagonist's deep, deep backstory. Other than that, great humor, intrigue, and characters we all know, and either love or simply tolerate. Or maybe, don't tolerate!
So worth the read!

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read about a man who leaves Alaska to take a communications job at an elite private college in Portland Oregon (sounded like Reed College to me). Immediately, there is a campus death which leads to a huge PR crisis. As Peter deals with that, he also faces his failing marriage – and uncovers his own traumatic childhood.

I thought the book was fascinating, highlighting the stresses, problems and corruption in college settings and introducing a realistic and somewhat appealing main character. I especially liked the ambiguous ending.

[Charlie]

Full disclosure, I know and worked with the author. Two points for anyone that can guess where we worked together. Fascinating to read a book in which you could possibly (albeit very unlikely) appear as a character. As an aficionado of campus novels, I found analyzing the book from that angle to be particular; the perspective of the media liaison within a college is an undersung and underexamined one, but I do feel wonder what a more expansive version of the setting would include, beyond the handful of characters that make up the narrative's cast list.

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel. I received it for free from the author and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given it a 4* rating. I have mixed feelings about this story. Parts of this read like a memoir and parts like a mystery. A part of it kept me guessing till the end and wanting to know what he decided at the end. But it really didn't leave that little spark at the end that wants you to keep thinking about it.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a giveaway. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was different from a lot of books that I normally read. I enjoyed the storyline of Peter. I like how he would think before he reacted to each situation that was thrown at him. The main subject matter of the book is something that I'm sure every college has to sadly deal with now given the world we live in.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, funny and too close to reality
This fictional account of the pressures of fund raising, the power of donors and the balance of reputational excellence with fiscal realities rings true. The mysteries of this particular story woven with the personal story of the main character make this a page turner.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant picture of the pressure and problems behind the higher education system. With mystery, suspense, and dreams of better times, this novel kept me turning the pages. I love the author’s sense of humor through observations and witty quips. Filled with insights and emotions of how our past affects our present. I enjoyed this book.
I bought a second copy to share with friends!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long time Portlander, I wanted to read this for the local "connections." Not sure what Myers' connection is to Portland, but I don't think he did us justice! That said, it was an intriguing story, although I had a difficult time getting a handle on the "who knew what when" aspects! Probably worth a look!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed our Book Club pick for this month, Need Blind Ambition, especially as a longtime Portland resident. All the references were easily figured out and he captured the Keep Portland Weird vibe that permeates this whacky city, and its elite-way-left-than-center college, Reed College.
Main character Peter Cook (ahem, the author) and his family leave his much-loved Alaska for a PR job at the private and prestigious Parker (ahem, Reed) College where the drug culture has been just part of the school's unique 'charm' until on-campus deaths from heroin ODs are getting media and the DA's attention. Trying to figure out the truth from the top brass, who seem more motivated by their wealthy student's parent's money, than doing the right thing. Peter is on a personal journey with PSTD/ early trauma and trying to keep his job to support his family during the financial chaos of 2007-2008 keeps the story moving along at a quick engaging pace. Loved it.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast-paced, easy page-turner of a novel about corruption in higher ed. The protagonist is grating, especially in his depiction of women, but I inhaled the book nonetheless. Some may find the characters over-the-top, but I found them all-too-believable.

[SD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book mainly due to my association to the college this isn’t based on. The less serious details about the school were spot on. But this reads more like an outline or first rough draft. Needed to be fleshed out and a longer book with more details and substance would’ve been better.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me by the author, and I truly enjoyed it. Need Blind Ambition offers a thoughtful and engaging perspective, making it a meaningful and inspiring read that I’m grateful to have picked up. Sorry it took me so long to get to this, Kevin, but I really enjoyed it!

[Chanel Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the topic is interesting and relevant, the writing is horrible and makes reading this a chore.

[Kris Loveid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complicated, witty, fast read.

[lara phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more entertaining if you went to Reed, which this is TOTALLY NOT ABOUT wink wink.