Life in Prison

By: Stanley Tookie Williams

Narrated by: Ty Jones

"The true stories I've written in this book are my living nightmares. My greatest hope is that the lessons the stories offer will help you make better choices than I did."

Stanley "Tookie" Williams, cofounder of the notorious Crips gang, is a death-row inmate. But in his two decades of incarceration, Williams has also become a respected author and activist whose dedication to ending gang warfare in the lives of inner-city children has earned him a 2001 Nobel Peace Prize nomination. In this award-winning book, which has drawn praise from educators, government leaders, and families alike. Williams describes the brutal reality of being an inmate. He debunks myths of prisons as "gladiator schools" with blunt, riveting stories of overwhelming homesickness, the terror of solitary confinement, and the humiliation of strip-searches. Williams' words are a frank challenge to adolescent listeners to educate themselves, make intelligent decisions, and above all, not to follow in his footsteps.

©1998 Barbara Cottman Becnel (P)2009 Recorded Books

Wow

I am taken away by the realistic visional and felt moments of this first take of prison life.

life in prison

I liked the straight forward description of prison life. how the author feelings of doing life in prison with no parole.

Short but good

A good reminder to appreciate the life you have and that it can always be worse.

How we still fight the same demons from the 1980's as a black community.

Loved the vivid descriptions in this book! Definitely makes you think twice before making any decisions! RIP Big Took King Crip

Scares you straight!

I liked his simple narration to the youth of how prison is NOT “cool”. The words were eloquent, and painted a very sorrowful picture of tookie’s regret.