 
Life in Prison
Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 83
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 On: 2008-08-09
Even though this book was written for a junior-high level reading audience, I still found this book to be insightful and worth reading. Williams description of prison life is bleak and depressing, and affirms one important fact: a life behind bars is no life at all.
Kids sit up and listen hard when theyre presented with the facts in a way that is relevant to them, and I recommend this book as a vital part of any junior-high school curriculum.
 On: 2008-04-06
This was an interesting book. Although, Tookie never really changed his ways. He still shot called and ran things from his cell, and even acted as if hed backed away from gang life, so he could have his sentence changed from "death" to "life" in prison. He even went as far as to have his white boyfriend (a Prison Inmate tookie was having sexual relations with)walk with him to his execution, instead of one of his crip comrads..
On: 2007-06-11
I work with inner-city teenagers, lots of whom already knew who Tookie Williams was and an unfortunate number of whom think prison is "cool." Its fascinating to watch them as they grab this little book because of the cover, thinking theyre in for an adventure ride telling them how prison is this great place to make one tougher and stronger, and then see their faces get somber as Williams describes how frightening, lonely, and humiliating prison life truly is.
If you work with kids who aspire to or who are already in the "gangbanger life," I highly recommend this book.
On: 2007-06-10
I work with inner-city teenagers, lots of whom already knew who Tookie Williams was and an unfortunate number of whom think prison is "cool." Its fascinating to watch them as they grab this little book because of the cover, thinking theyre in for an adventure ride telling them how prison is this great place to make one tougher and stronger, and then see their faces get somber as Williams describes how frightening, lonely, and humiliating prison life truly is.
If you work with kids who aspire to or who are already in the "gangbanger life," I highly recommend this book.
 On: 2007-02-20
By Brandon Council
Life in Prison was an excellent book because Stanley lets you know how it is in prison. I recommend students and juveniles all over the world to read it. It lets you know what you have to go through in prison if you get beat up or sick. I think if people read this book and go by what it says, it might stop people that are in gangs and are on the street selling drugs or doing wrong. I also think that if people read it they wont commit crimes that lead to life in prison. So if you read this book it might just save your life.
On: 2007-02-20
LIFE IN PRISON
BY: Nay-Nay Matthews
The book "Life In Prison" is a good book. I didnt think it would turn out like that, but Stanley "Tookie" Williams gives audiences a good reason why they wouldnt want to go to jail or prison.
There are many different reasons why you wouldnt want to go to jail. You have to do what the guards tell you, you have to get strip-searched, and you have a limited time to take a bath and many more things.
In San Quentin prison, they have a book called the "California Code of Regulation." Title 15-crime prevention and corrections. It is a book with 174 pages and more than 200 rules. Some people sit there in read all those rules. They are insane.
Also there is no way on earth I would be able to stay in the hole, let alone for 7 whole years, like "Tookie" did. I couldnt do it. My uncle is in prison now. He has to go in the hole and he cant call us or write us when he has to be in the hole. And I think thats hard to go to prison after reading the horrible details in "Life in Prison."
On: 2007-02-20
Life In Prison Review
By: Keshonda
In this novel "Life In Prison," Ive personally learned a lot. Stanley "Tookie" Williams wrote this book directly for the youth, to encourage us to be something in life. This is a heartbreaking novel of how they treated Mr. Williams over the 25 years he was incarcerated. While reading this, Stanley became someone that I could look up to, even though hes dead.
I think they shouldve given him a chance to live again. The worst thing to happen in prison is the strip-search; its embassressing how the guards watch you while you check yourself just to make sure you dont have any concealed weapons.
This novel has inspired me to be something in life so I wont end up in jail or prison. I can read this book over and over because its so touching to my soul. I strongly recommend that you read this novel and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
On: 2007-02-16
Brandon Bynum
The book Life In Prison was about Tookie Williams experience in prison. He said that when you are in prison you feel like you are a dog locked up in a small cage. He said that you only get about 15minutes on the phone and then it automatically cuts off weather you are done or not. The food is nasty and you dont get paid much.
This book made me feel weird? Because there are some people are on death row for a crime that they may have not committed but some of them are lucky if their lawyer finds them not guilty. It doesnt matter how much they pay you they kept you in prison 18 to 30 some year for a crime you didnt commit thats taking 30 or 18 some year from you and your family.
So I disagree with the death penalty because some of the people on death row could have been framed for a crime they didnt commit. Life in prison seems like a more logical explanation because in that time period they could have been found not guilty for there crime.
So I would recommend this book for people who would like to read about Stanley Tookie Williamss experience. I think it was a spectacular book.
On: 2007-02-15
By:Shantavia King
Do you think if you read "Life In Prison" You will like it Of course you will because its a honor to have someone special Write a good book that can inspire a whole lot of peoples in this world and also help them make better decision in a life time and go to college and be successful in work and what they dream are really made of. Well as you here what I think about it Im pretty sure you will make an incredible decision in many ways.
Life in prison was a very wonderful book. It was very interesting because it was telling about whats going on in this world today and plus it is about life. Also In the book the main things was living in prison for about twenty years or more and knowing you were about to die and not being able to eat how you want to, and also being in prison where youre not safe by anybody in prison even your friends. I advise a lot of gangs members to read this book before they make a mistake and end up some where that they will regret and once you in there its no way turning back. That why I advise everybody to read it because it can give anybody with a good brain and a wonderful heart some sense in the head and hope to encourage some people in this life time and pray that it will get a lot of people.
On: 2007-02-15
by:Toma
I think Life in Prison was a good book. The reason I think
it was a good book is because it shows you what life in prison
is really like and males you realize that its not a good place to
be and that its not somewhere you want to go.
I hope that more people read this book. Especially young
people because it might help them make the right decision and
not do something that will make you end up in prison.
This book was about a guy (Stanley Williams) who talks
about how life is in prison and about how he has made
mistakes. This book also tells about how prison isnt the life
that many people think it is.
On: 2007-02-15
Life in prison talks about this man that was in prison. He was a bad boy at that he wanted to be his friends so he got into this little gang called Crips with his friends and he started to do thing that he know it was bad he started to robbing banks with his friends. He was the type of person that wanted to be cool and also he kept doing the things that he was doing and he ended up in jail where he didnt want to be so now he feel like he shouldnt did the thing he did. They was talking about execution and they had agreed on it to so they had executed him so he die in prison so where he didnt want to go I liked the book because it really talks about his life and what he did .I really learned a lot about this book because that book talks about people hanging with the wrong crowds ended up in jail. By reading this keeps a lot of people out trouble what I mean is keep them in sports so they want get out in the street getting in trouble like robbing banks with each other hanging out late at night. By:Anthony Hilliard
On: 2007-02-15
LIFE IN PRISON by Mason Mullins
I think that people should read LIFE IN PRISON. It gives you a lot of information about prison and why you dont want to go there. He gives you what happen in the exercise yard if you dont watch your back you could get hurt. Also he tells you about what they do in the cells and the people around him and what they eat. Also he tells you how you get to talk to your family and how you have to get stripped search. Then he talks about how you dont get attention if you are hurt or sick or if you faint and also about crazy people.
I like this book because it tells you about death row and prison. It gives you the inside scoop of the prison and death row and why you dont want to be there. It shows that now he wished he was never there in the first place. He thought it was cool to see how big and strong he was. Now I know that what it is like in prison and why I will never go there.
I would recommend this book. If you want to know about how life in prison is. I think you should read this book about Stanley "Tookie" Williams. So you will know that you should never go to jail or prison.
On: 2007-02-15
In my Language Arts class, we have just completed the novel, Life In Prison by Stanley "Tookie" Williams. It was about the man who co-founded the notorious gang called the Crips. He ended up going to jail and put on Death Row for co-founding this gang and convicted of murdering four people. When we were given this book, most people werent too sure about reading a book written by a convicted murderer. Once we had only read the back of the book and the introduction, I knew I would be interested in the book. He told that he had regret every moment of everything he had done before that put him in prison, even though he denied all four murders.
The book not only told his story about getting to prison and Death Row, but he also described life in prison. Strip searches, little to no medical attention, and horrible food were only a few tragic things that happened. You could have friends, but you never know when they would turn on you. Some people who werent even on Death Row would end up killing themselves. Some would even kill other people in fights that the guards wouldnt even break up. If you got in a fight, like I said the guards wouldnt break it up, they would shoot rubber pellets at the fighters. "Inmates getting shot at or killed is a sight that most men is prison see regularly." They may or may not aim right at the people fighting, so if they start shooting and your standing watching, run. "..a bullet can be meant for one person but end up hitting or killing somebody else."
I definitely would recommend this book to anyone older than twelve years old because of one particular part of the novel which described a strip search. It was an explicit part, but it was true and informing.
Anyone older would really enjoy it. If you think jail or prison is fun, or have heard it from someone, please read this book. Its sure to change your mind.
-Savannah
On: 2007-02-15
OMG! The book Life In Prison was the best book ever. Stanley was put on death row and wrote books for children all around the world. He is trying to tell the kids around the world that prison isnt the place to go. He talks about when he was younger and his friends brother went to prison for a while. His friends brother said prison was the best place to go. Good food, great exercise spot, and hang out place. So Stanley started the gang Crips. Stanley Williams was excused of four murders. When he was on trial he never admitted to the murders. But when it was said and done he was put on death row.
To me Stanley "Tookie" Williams had changed over time in prison. Out of those 80 pages he wrote in the book Life In Prison you understand that you never want to go to prison. There are smelly people that pee all over everything, dont take baths, and there sells just arent clean. You cant huge your parents or friends when they come to visit you. After you leave your visitors you have to have a strip search. He said his life was a nightmare. I think the reason he wrote this book was to tell kids to not end up like him. Dont have the same mistakes. That is what I think he thought.
The money he is getting for selling his books he is donating it to the non-gang violence program. To me this was a good thing to do with the money. In 2001 his book was nomination of the Nobel Peace Prize. Stanley Tookie William has been living on death row since 1981. That is a long time in prison to me.
On: 2007-02-15
Life in Prison By: Stanley "Tookie" Williams
The book Life In Prison was real eye opener for me. When I was young I thought jail was fun but my opinion changed after hearing about the trials and pains. The chapter about the strip search was very disgusting and intolerable. The way it was described developed a horrible picture in my mind. The food he for told about I would only eat out of starvation. The fights would be a big dilemma for me because I dont like to fight. Stanley even said people like your own flesh and blood or even your best friend could turn on you to a reputation or to have a better life. The j-cats in the story were in humane people who had lost all insanity. They didnt care about anything. If you want to see how it is like in San Quentin prison go in your bathroom and spend ten hours alone. Try eating what they serve and having your read and your phone conversations listened to. I recommend this to all people who are thirteen or older. I leave you with a thought: Do you want to go to prison?
On: 2007-02-15
By Brandy Abel
Do you think prison is the place to be? Do you think prisons cool? Well if you do, you have it all wrong. Ive never been in prison and I dont plan on it, at least not after reading the book "Life in Prison" by Stanley Willaims himself, a great author.This book has shown me what life in prison is all about. He talks about the stri-search and the people, the food that hey serve you, and about how awful your cell is, and you visiting hours, and your clothes, and the way they treat you. Tookie talks about the hole, the hole is where you break any rules and rules are different there. Some people stay in the hole for yeas at a time for attacking a guard or somthing like that. Life in Prison is a good book, I liked it, and I recommend it to everybody. If I wanted to tell you everything I would have to write a hole book and I dont have time for that. But I hope if you read this book Life in Prison, you like it and it helps you.
On: 2007-02-15
"Life In Prison"
Written by: Alexus Stewart
"Life In Prison" was a book that I was very interesting in. I liked it because Williams didnt hold back on a lot of occasions. He told everything. The good and the bad. I also like the book because it had more than one moral. He tells you what the effect of living in prison on the death penalty has on you, and where being the cofounder of the Crips gang got him, and also how his life ended when he was transported to San Quentin Correctional Facility.
From what I have read being in Prison has made him a changed man, He has become a very religious, caring person. He is the first man in prison on the death row penalty to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Williams died Dec. 13, 2006 by lethal injection.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an interesting book.
On: 2007-02-15
What would you do if you knew in a matter of minutes your life was coming to an end? What would you say what would you be thinking? Well think how Stanley "Tookie" Williams felt. Before he died he was able to write a book and get it published on how things really was. I enjoyed Tookies book "Life In Prison", because it intrested me in many ways.I agree with him when he stated in his book that he was not sugar coating anything. I say that becuase he told how everything went down in prison. I feel that he wrote this book to show us that we can do better things with our lives than end up in prison. I could not imagine having to live in a box-shaped room for the rest of my life and , to make it worse, it did not even have any privacy. You could sit on the toliet to use the bathroom and everbofy who walked by could look at you. The same thing happened for when you took a bath.
When he talked about people going insane and getting claustrophobic I think I would have been scared because when he said they began throwing urine and feces and they dont take baths and began to stink up the whole row. I know that wouldve been horrible. I also dont know how I wouldve survived with horible food like that and I agree, I think the Salmon Loaf sounds nasty. If you ask me I think Tookie stayed calm and careful while in Prison. I think he handled hiself well because to be on death row and then live under those conditions. They didnt have o kill him, becuase he suffered enough for 25 years. I just know I could not have survived their living conditions. I highly recommend that you read this book or suggest someone to read this book. You will realize that it is a unique and wonderful book. It will let you know that there arent any fun and games in prison, its the real deal. Maybe you should think before you do thngs becuase no onenot even you, should end up in there.
On: 2007-02-15
"Life in Prison"
I think that "Life in Prison" is a great book because it not
only tells about Stanley "Tookie" Williams` life, but it also lets young people know that prison is not a fun place to be, in fact it is a very dangerous place to be.
Stanley "Tookie" Williams` also lets people know all about his life in prison and he tries to persuade people, especially young people, to stay away from prison and not to make the same mistakes that he
made. I think this book should be read nation-wide in classrooms all over the world.
I highly recommend people of all ages to read this book so that they
can try and catch themselves before they do something crazy and spend the rest of their lives in prison because of it.
WRITTEN BY: LAVONNA .K. COOPER!
On: 2007-02-15
"Life In Prison"
By: Brandon Price
The book is very well written. This was written to show what would happen to you in jail. It told you what you do before visitation and after. Tookies friend "Rock" convinced all the children that jail was fun; he called it "Gladiator school" because everybody was big for working out all the time. He tells you about the violence in prison.
I like this book because its an inspirational book. It told us what he went through and what the others went too. He told taught children never to go to jail and to never to join a gang.
I wouldnt recommend this book to ages 9 and under. I would recommend this book to ages 10 and up.
On: 2007-02-15
Matter of Life and Death
Harrison Horne
Life in prison is about the everyday life of Stanley "Tookie" Williams who spent more than twenty years on Death Row in San Quentin State Penitentiary. In his novel Williams explains what goes on in prison, from strip searches to recreation and solitary confinement. Williams gives the inner-workings of prison and tries to convince his readers that he made a mistake. Tookie, a co-founder of the cripps gang, tries to tell his readers what theyve got going for them and that prison is one huge waste of a life. Williams is trying to exercise the message that you need to stay in school, stop goofing off, and stay out of prison.
Life in Prison was a book that inspired me to express my opinion about the death penalty. There were some parts in the book that I liked and some parts that I disliked. Overall I thought it was a pretty entertaining and informing book. I think that Williams wrote this book for eighth grade through highschoolers. In his book, Williams tells his audience from first hand experience, that prison stinks. He gives them the message that the Bad-Boy image is bad, literally. I liked this book because it was very educational and inspirational.
What do you think about the death penalty? What side do you take? Personally, I cant really decide what my opinion about the death penalty is. In some cases, I can see why people like the death penalty. In other cases, I can see why people despise the death penalty. Imagine if you were the relative of someone on death row. How much would you like the death penalty then? Now lets look at the opposing side. Imagine if your brother had been murdered and his killer was sitting on death row. Would you want the death penalty to be enforced then? You see, the death penalty is no light subject and it has to be viewed very carefully. You have to look at both sides of it, either way though; the state is basically legally murdering someone. Lets say the state put someone to death. Then, four years later, the case is reopened and DNA evidence confirmed that the person was not guilty. What happens next? Obviously the state made a big mistake in putting that person to death. What if this happened before and happens again. Now that Ive thought about it, I think Ive come to a decision about my opinion the death penalty. The death penalty is a cruel and unusual way to enforce the law. Criminals should be dealt with otherwise. I think life in prison is a much more civilized, safe, and humane punishment. Currently, the death penalty is on hold in North Carolina and I hope it stays that way, for a long time.
On: 2007-02-14
As a boy, that was in elementary school Tookie Williams heard the older kids whod served time tell stories that made top-security prison sound fascinating and entertaining, a place to hang out with your friends and prove how well-built you were. But now, after 23 years on San Quentins death row for the murders of four people, Tookie Williams now knows that prison "is no place youd ever want to be." In this slim volume, he explains why: the restricted quarters, lack of freedom and privacy, homesickness, violence and daily strip searches, having to use the toilet in public. Williams often goes beyond simple sketch, asking readers to visualize his experiences, to get a feel for what its like to live in a prison cell. The book Tell the main idea: That younger children stay away from Tookie Williams path of Death row.
On: 2007-02-13
Recently my class read Life in Prison by Stanley "Tookie" Williams. The book is a truly inspiring book that has changed my opinion on prison. I believe that more people should read this book because of the many details put into this book. The book has inspired me to live life well and not take things for granite. I never planned on going to prison but after reading Life In Prison I definitely dont want to end up in that place.
Stanley Williams takes us on a tour through prison and shows us the real prison, not the Hollywood versions of it, but the real thing. He writes about what really goes on behind the jail walls such as; fights, food, the cells, the hole, strip searches and more. It is a detailed story trying to keep people such as us kids out of prison.
Stanley Williams was in prison for twenty-three years on death row before he was executed. He also tells his story of being a death row inmate. It is a scary life that I wouldnt want. He thinks of things you can do to experience what it would be like in prison and I dont think I could do some of the things he suggest.
I recommend this book to people of all ages because of the inspiring details of the life behind bars. I hope that this book helps people just like it helped me.
On: 2007-02-13
You think its hard out there. Why dont you try life... in prison? Tookie found that out the hard way. He tells about his experience in this book. When any of you readers read it, did you feel revulsion, sadness, pity, or shocked? I did. What an insight in the consequences of the wrong choice and path. To all that are at risk, read this! Be careful of what you do in life. The wrong decision can land you in Tookies situation. Just listen to the words of Tookie. Learn about the horrors of prison from the strict rules that bind prisoners to the revolting strip search. If you decide to start living right after reading the book, you will find this helpful.
This book is a must-read. I enjoyed the book as insightful and full or meaning. Since some elements are graphic in the book, it makes me still wonder if it should be for kids but it could be okay around middle school students and up.
It still puzzles me why Tookie didnt get clemency. Schwarzeneggers decision has sent outrage everywhere especially Europe. As Volker Beck has said, "Schwarzeneggers decision is a cowardly decision." This was from an article from The Daily Reflector. But they are some that agree with Schwarzenegger. One person had left a message at the Los Angeles Times Message Board saying, "I dont understand what all the rhetoric is about... Logic does not allow for his life to be worth more than the victims of his actions. Good riddance!!!" Another was skeptical of Tookies redemption in another Amazon Review of this book. He remarked that Tookie was a murderer who claims redemption but never admits to his crime. So what do you believe about this? Tookie was a man who did many wrong things including co-founding the malicious Crips. But he was at least repented, and was recognized for his actions for peace. RIP Tookie.
On: 2007-02-13
The topic Im using is the book that Stanley "Tookie" Williams wrote about his life in prison. The way I feel about the book is that it is excellent. I think the book is excellent because he tells you how it is in prison. He say "prison is one place you wouldnt want to go. A lesson to learn in prison is just dont go. You shouldnt want to go because all you can ever do is eat, play basketball and work, and sleep(also lift weights). When I say eat I dont mean Bojangles or any fast food restaurant I mean "slop" everyday. Also because you can get hurt in prison by the guards and other inmates. Well for people who want to see what prison is like read this article and read the book.
By: Shaquille Streeter
On: 2007-02-13
Stanley Tookie Williams non-fiction book life In prison really hits all the good and bad things in prison. He doesnt skip all the real things that go on in prison. His book makes kids not want to go to prison and not to follow in his footsteps. The way he doesnt say a whole lot but yet he describes a whole lot of details is a good descriptive quality he uses. When he talks about the Hole he demonstrates his descriptive quality that he uses throughout the book. Also when he is talking about the strip-searches he doesnt skip exactly what they do. The private parts lifting and checking is told in his story.His book isnt just a book about what goes on in Prison by someone who hadnt been in prison. His book really tells kids why they shouldnt go to jail through an experience of jail time. In my opinion his book is a very good and inspirational book in many ways. He talks about what joining gangs leads to in the end. He also shows that itd never too late to change your life no matter what youve done. The main thing I think his book shows is that prison isnt the right path to take.
On: 2007-02-13
In my Language Arts class, my classmates and I read the novel "Life In Prison". This book gives you a close look into the life of inmates in jail, mostly focusing on Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Mr. Williams talks about life before he got into trouble and life while he was in jail.
It all started when Stanley started a gang with some friends, called the Crips. He ended up murdering four people and was sentenced to "Death Row" in the San Quentin Prison.
In this book Stanley "Tookie" Williams talks about all the routines that he goes through daily. Like life on Death Row, food, punishments, violence, visits from family and friends, and the dreaded strip searches. The book even displays pictures of Mr. Williams, other inmates, and things that go on in prison.
By reading this book, kids realize that getting into trouble can lead to loneliness, claustrophobia, depression, and going mentally insane. He also teaches kids, or even adults, that prison is not the place to be.
Overall, this was a good book but at times it could get a little too graphic. I recommend this book for teens to adults, ages 14 and up.
On: 2007-02-13
Imagine living in a room that was no bigger then your bathroom. Imagine having to be strip searched every time you wanted to talk to your friends and family members and having to eat meals that didnt even resemble food. What if you had to live that life style for the rest of your life? Stanley "Tookie" Williams shares his personal experiences from the San Quinton Jail with the outside world in the book "Life in Prison".
Stanley "Tookie" Williams was convicted of killing a man during a robbery in February 1979. He was also found guilty of murdering a couple and their daughter in March 1979, at a Los Angeles motel. Not only did he allegedly kill these victims but also he was the co-founder of the Crips Street gang. For all of this, he was sentenced to death row.
In this book Mr. Williams shares his life before prison and then in prison. He talks about the unappetizing food, and the lack of freedom. He talks about the rules and what its like to be sent to "the hole". He talks about all the fighting and the lack of hygienic importance. But most importantly he talks about how you dont want to make the mistake he made.
I liked this book because I felt that this book could help keep teenagers from going to jail. Mr. Williams shared everything that you would want to know that would make you want to stay out of prison. When I read this book I could tell that he really wanted to make sure that young people didnt follow his footsteps and did the right thing.
I highly recommend this book because it tells the tragic truth. I find this book to be inspirational for young people because Mr. Williams says what he can to discourage any wrong doings. I honestly think this book could change a persons attitude and keep someone from doing something that, like Mr. Williams, would later regret.
On: 2007-02-13
By Mary Christoff
"Life in Prison" is an interesting book with lots of detail.
I really appreciate Stanley Williams because despite the fact that he got life in prison for his mistake, he still tried to ward off kids from a life of crime.
Prison really does seem like a nightmare how he describes it and I really hope people dont make the terrible mistake he made.
I think this book was made to teach people how prison is and not to go that way in life.
I liked this book because it is unique and interesting. I also liked it because it is a book worth reading and it is a great book for a young audience.
The only thing I wish there had been more of was the detail about what got him life in prison and information about what his family is going through and what they thought about the situation.
I hope this book shows that you are not cool if you are in prison; you are actually pretty stupid for choosing to go that way.
Even though Stanly Williams got life in prison, he still in the end was a good person who wanted to make a difference with people wanting the life of prison.
I hope this book taught people something about what it is really like in a prison.
On: 2007-02-13
You think you know what its like to be in prison, well guess again. Try being in there for 25 years then getting put to death. Thats how it was for Stanley "Tookie" Williams but in those 25 years he learned from his mistakes. He was able to repent and write books to tell kids how he changed his life. While in prison he had to face insane people, other gang members, and sometimes even the guards everyday but he kept a positive attitude and thats why he was able to write what he did. While on death he had to eat what he called "slops", and he couldnt makes phone as often as other prison.
So you still think you have what it takes to go to prison? Not being able to eat how you eat at home. Not being able to call your loved ones. Being beat up because someone thinks youre in a certain gang, or being thrown in the hole because the guards dont like you. Now just think these are things he had to go through and he still wrote books. Now do you could have done that? Thats a question you can answer. I think people 13 and older should read this great book. Thank you Stanley Williams and Rest In Peace.
On: 2007-02-13
Anyone Can Change.
Even the Most Unlikely People.
My class just finished reading "Life In Prison" by Stanley "Tookie" Williams. When reading it, I was shocked at how someone living on death row really lives; strip searches, the same food every week, and little medical attention. These are things you really dont want to deal with on a daily basis. But most kids in our society today think going to prison is the "cool" thing to do. Man, are they wrong. Mr. Williams talked of prison as if it was a nightmare; a place where no man would ever want to enter. A place where men go insane, become claustrophobic, and always longing to be loved by someone; trying to fill that hole of loneliness in their heart. A place where every man defends himself and cannot trust anyone, because at any minute who you thought was your friend, may turn against you.
Once captured by Mr. Williams story, none of us never wanted to lay his book down. It really makes you think about the hardships these men are going through. In the book Mr. Williams said ".... a place where men have been killed and where some have even killed themselves." This is a quote that really describes prison, so because of that our class thinks of prison as a land of evil and demons. Prison wont save you from violence; there will be violence in the cells and the yards. I guess prison isnt such a heaven after all.
"Peace is promised to no one here. But violence is promised to everyone."
Mr. Williams co-founded the "Crips" gang and murdered four people. He wasnt the best person to hangout with. Being on death row for 25 years can really change a man. Growing up Ive always been taught to let people repent and give them second chances. He wrote "Life In Prison" to help change childrens perspective on living there. He completely changed his life around. From going from a gang leader to someone kids looked up to, he repented his actions; but he never got a second chance. Even though Im only 13 I think thirteen year olds arent really mature enough to critically think this issue through, I have to say I disagree with the death penalty. What is killing a person teaching us? ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING!! I strongly believe that everyone gets a second chance, so there should be no death penalty. Most people say they agree with it, but you need to look at it in a different point of view. Lets say your mother, father, brother, sister, etc. was sentenced the death penalty. Would you want them to die? Thats most likely a no to that question. So why should a stranger go through the same thing? Now rethink your answer. I mean really it is teaching us that when someone does something wrong, we have to kill them. Great lesson there guys. NOT!! This is teaching people to kill whenever something goes wrong. "If they think they succeeded by killing him in getting people to forget about him, they have done just the opposite," said Barbara Becnel, one of his most vocal supporters. Julien Dary said, " Schwarzenegger has a lot of muscles, but apparently not much heart."
I think that this book is appropriate for almost anyone. Except for a few parts of the book, it really is a great book. The best readers would probably be seventh graders and up. It taught our class a great lesson, anyone can change; even the most unlikely people.
On: 2007-02-12
Recently my class read Life in Prison by Stanley "Tookie" Williams. I was a little unsure at first as to whether Id like the book or not. I mean, it was written by a convicted murderer! Upon reading the first chapter of this book, I knew I would like it. On the first and second pages, Stanley Williams explained that he had learned to look up to people who went to prison. He saw prison as a way to tell the measure of a man. Mr. Williams also emphasized within these pages that, as he had learned from experience, prison is no fun place to go and "be a man", it was more of a place that you never want to even think about for too long. Tookie, the big bad gangster, had redeemed himself... by writing a childrens book.
The California governor, Arnold Swarzenegger, was obviously remembering his old "Terminator" days when he ordered for Williams to be executed. What if Williams had changed? What if he had vowed to give up a life of crime? The death penalty didnt give him a chance.
Within the 80 pages of the book, Stanley describes everything about prison from the humiliation of strip searches to the claustrophobia of living in a cell. Some parts made me cringe, some made me want to cry, and others made me want to throw up, but none made me even think about wanting to go to prison. This book is one that everyone should read, even if youve never considered prison a place youd want to go. Not once does Mr. Williams talk about having fun in prison or being glad he was there. Instead, he talked about the misery and horror of life in a cell. Williams wanted children everywhere to know what they were getting themselves into by leading a life of crime. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and had many people who begged for him to be let out of jail, but the efforts were wasted. After about 20 years of misery and redemption on Death Row, Stanley Williams was killed. Although the author of the book is no longer alive, his message lives on through his books and through his readers.
On: 2007-02-12
Life in Prison was about Stanley "Tookie" Williams life in prison and how life was really like behind those rusty bars. It was a personal account of all the bad things that happen in prison including: humiliating strip searches, cells that were about the size of normal bathrooms, people looking at you when you were taking a shower, the "J-Cats", the horrible food, violence in prison, and many other things. He tells many great morals in the story and it truly taught me a lot of things.
Personally, I think that Life In Prison was a great book. It kept me hooked throughout the whole book and it was very interesting to read, and usually many books arent like that to me. It taught me useful things that I could use in the future. Also, people who think that they are having "trouble" with their lives could read this book, and I think that it could help them a lot. It teaches great life lessons, it had great content, and it was a GREAT book!
I would definitely recommend people to read this book. I think that 13 years and older should read this book because most kids under 13 arent mature enough to really comprehend the content. I think that this book could help many people with the many struggles that people have in their lives. Life In Prison was a great book, and I could read it many times over.
On: 2007-02-12
Recently my 8th grade class read the book Life in Prison by Stanley "Tookie" Williams. This book was about Stanley Williams, founder of the Crips, a gang. In 1981, Stanley was found guilty of murdering 4 people and was sent to death row at San Quentin prison. The minute "Tookie" got to prison, he knew that he had made the wrong choice. Prison was not the place for him. In the beginning of the book Stanley talks about how he had grown up hearing about how "cool" prison was. Now that he was locked up, he disagrees. Each chapter in this book focuses on a different aspect of prison. In the beginning of the book, Stanley warns the readers that this book wouldnt make prison seem fun or a good place to be. He said that he wont try to "sweeten up prison" by not going into details. Hes just describing it. I found that what he said was true after reading intense chapters about his experiences with strip searches, the hole, rules, food, prison violence, and much more. Stanley Williams had a harsh life in prison. Even though he isnt the best role model (because of his gang, violence etc), he still touched my heart. He felt bad about his prior mistakes and tried to turn his world around. He explained to young kids and teens throughout the book that they should NEVER make the mistake of ruining their lives and rotting in prison.
Picturesque is one word that I think describes this book. Packed with detail, I felt as if I was there in prison with Stanley. Each chapter was just BURSTING with details. This book was also very moving. I never really wanted to go to prison but this book made me never ever EVER want to be in prison. It encouraged me to go out and tell others how bad prison is.
I recommend this book to 8th grade and high school students. This book is mature but meant for younger people. I do think that this book is DEFFINITLY worth reading.
On: 2007-02-12
Stanley "Tookie" Williams was a violent man who was accused of taking four lives from innocent people and started the deadly Crips gang, but has changed the figure into an honest man. He reveals this in this compelling book called Life in Prison.
This book describes the poor, obsolete living conditions of Death Row inmates at the San Quentin Prison. It explains how men dumped feces on themselves while being secluded in a closet size space. No wonder Tookie says some of the inmates go insane. Tookie does an excellent job of making prison seem like, excuse my French, hell. Except in this case, that is a good thing.
I enjoyed this book from the front cover to the back page. I find it amazing that man like him would find it in his heart to turn his life around. He has always claimed his innocence, even on the night of his death, and I believe him. I liked how he was able to convey the reality of life in prison to adults and children alike. This book was well written and well organized. I would say I disliked the graphic nature of it but hay, thats prison for you.
I would recommend this book for children ages 11 and up. This book is a little obscene for young children. Also, that is about the age that children start to face the challenges of gangs and peer pressure. I believe this book would steer the children away from any form of gangs and violence.
On: 2007-02-12
Life In Prison is a great book.Tookie Williams(the co-founder of the notorious crips gang)talks about his life on death-row in the San Quentin prison. He talks about everything. He talks about people called J-Cats. Those are the people who partically loses thier mind in prison. He also talks about strip-searches. He gives a very, very detailed description about strip-searches. He talks about how humiliated he felt while he had to be put in unusal positions. And on top of that a women was usually in the room.Tookie also talks about the endless number of rules each inmate has to go through. For example, each inmate must have a certain size TV,length of pencil,and how long you can take a bath. He talks about how lonely he felt some times and how he felt so clastrophobic and isolated from the rest of the world.
I really enjoyed this book. It gave me a surprising insight on how life really is on death row. Some things really disturbed me while reading this book though. Tookie Williams gave a very graphic and detailed description on strip searches. I wouldnt reccommend this book to anybody under the age of 14.To read this book, in my opinion, you must be really mature because some things in this book a 5 year old just shouldnt read. I think this book is for an older audience.But overall, this is a great book!
On: 2007-02-12
In class we read a book called Life In Prison by the author Stanley Tookie Williams.
The book was about a young man who started a very well known and popular gang called the crips, him and about thirty more guys when they were around the age of seven-teen. One of Stanleys friends brothers was released from prison and his name was Rock. He told them that life in prison was just like the life on the outside.
Stanley was accused of killing four people and then he went to the same prison that his friends brother went to called San Quentin and Stanley found out that prison is no place where anyone wants to be.
Stanley spent his time while he was in prison lifting weights, studying, and reading the bible. He was on Death Row and the men on death row were treated worse than other prison inmates. While Stanley was in prison he found out that his friends on the street were not really his friends because in the book he did not say anything about his friends coming to visit him while he was in prison and he told young people and other people not to follow in his footsteps.
On: 2007-02-12
This book has shown me what life in prison is all about. He talks about the strip-search and the people, the food that they serve you, and about how awful your cell is, and your visiting hours, and your clothes, and the way they treat you.
Tookie talks about the hole, the hole is where you break any rules and rules are very different there. Some people stay in the hole for years at a time for attacking a guard or something like that.
Life in Prison is a good book, I liked it, and I recommend it to everybody. If I wanted to tell you everything I would have to write a whole book and I dont have time for that. But I hope if you read this book Life in Prison, you like it and it helps you.
On: 2007-02-12
"Life in Prison" by Stanley "Tookie" Williams was a book explaining how Stanley and other death row Inmates lived in San Quentin Jail.While explaining his and other peoples lives in jail,he also gave the readers(myself and my classmates)advice on why we shouldnt go to jail and what are some of the consequences if we do.
I cant say i enjoyed reading this book because its about being in jail but,I did like the book because Stanley did not sugar anything he was real and he even talked about him getting striped searched and that was probably something embarrasing for him to talk about. I also like the book because in every chapter there was a pictuer to go along so you really didnt have to imagine anything.
I would recommend this book to anyone over the age thirteen.This book is a book that will explain and also show you why you shouldnt go to jail.Its also a very good book because you have someone who was on the inside explaining with no sugarcoding and specific details about everything.
R.I.P.
Tookie
On: 2007-02-12
Life In Prison By: Stanley "Tookie" Williams
This is a book about a man name Stanley " Tookie" Williams and his 25- year experience in Prison. He encourages kids to not follow in his footsteps and for them to follow their own dreams. This book influences kids in a positive way and he tells kids that prison is not a place where people belong. Stanley also tells you about the events and the life style in prison and how everything that you do has a time limit. He also explains the hard life of prison by stating that there are hundreds of rules that you have to follow. This book is great for all ages and if kids read it at an early age, it will be a greater percentage that they wouldnt do anything that will cause them to go to prison or jail.
To me, this was a good book because he showed me that prison is a dead place where all hopes and dreams are crushed. This book encourages me to follow my dreams and live my life in a positive way. I recommend that everyone read this book because it is a lesson that need to be taught to everyone.
On: 2007-02-12
By Patrick LaBrune
Stanley "Tookie" Williams wrote the book Life in Prison. This book makes life seem terribly long and miserable. While reading this book I thought of my brother who is in currently in Prison. In this book "Tookie" cofounder of the Crips gang was on Death Row and he explains his experience. I already had an opinion on the Death Penalty but after reading this book it only confirmed it even more.
Pretend you are on Death Row. Living in Prison is a lot worse in 2 ways: 1.) The Death Penalty is supposed to act as a deterrent but it shows that killing is right. 2.) Prison is the last place you would want to be in.
In the book "Tookie" was feared because of his looks, however he turned his life around by dreading the fact that he created the Crips gang and wanted to prevent more youth from doing the same.
There are 12 states without the Death Penalty plus the District of Columbia. A majority of Death Row inmates are in California. New York used to have the Death Penalty but in 2004 declared it Unconstitutional. In Texas since 1976 there have been 382 total executions. 84% of criminologists say no to the Death Penalty as a deterrent. 48% of people prefer life without parole compared to 47% who prefer the Death Penalty and 5% have no opinion in this matter. Police Chiefs have put the Death Penalty last in reducing violent crimes. The point Im Trying to make here is that a majority of people reject the Death Penalty.
This book shows you why Prison is much worse than the Death Penalty. I highly recommend this book to people ages 10 and up and I strongly recommend that people read this book.
On: 2007-02-12
"Life In Prison" By: Stanley "Tookie" Williams
This book is about a man named Stanley "Tookie" Williams who was sentenced to death row in prison. He tells about his life story and how everything goes down in prison. He tells you all types of things so that kids would not want to go. Such as violence between inmates, strip searches, and inmates throwing human waste either on you or in yor cell. He also tells about how the cells in prison are so small that he could not even hardly move in it.
"Life In Prison" was a great non-fiction story to me. I recommend this book to parents who want to show there children how life in prison will be if they are sent. I like how, sense it was written by a prison inmate himself, it really shows the real hardcore life in prison. He left nothing untold, every question was answered. To this day, this book has inspired many people. I just hope it inspires you. So, I mean it, read this book. It will give you great knowledge about prison.
On: 2007-01-04
I read this book and loved it. I am definately going to let my son read it. Maybe it will scare him to stay straight!
On: 2006-12-28
If you ever read a book called Life In Prison,if so its about a guy called Stanley Tookie Willams and how he had lie in prison.He was one of the first young person to start a gang.Now he trying to stop the voilence.So he wrote this book to tell kids doing what he did,their going to end up the same way LIFE IN PRISON!!!
Its a good book.It tells youhow to stay a way from the gangs.The book was good but he did was not good.He also realived that he made alot of mistakes and he was men enough to say it.He wants to let us know killing,fighting,selling drugs,and other things doesnt makes a good life.What makes a good life is school,jobs,and more important things makes life.So stay off the street and dont end up like him.Thats what makes this book good.STAY OUT OF PRISION IS THE KEY WORDS!
BY:Dominique
On: 2006-12-25
This book was good. I didnt realize this book was for a youth when I bought it. It does give you very good advice to our nations youth. I also bought this book because the proceeds of this book is going to a foundation. Stanely mentions that when you go into prision, the guards give you a strip search, and the prisoner has to take off all of his/her clothes to make sure that they arent carrying any weapons. I didnt know that, and I didnt know other things that Stanley talks about. So I learned a great deal from this book.
On: 2006-12-24
This book was good. I didnt realize this book was for a youth when I bought it. It does give you very good advice to our nations youth. I also bought this book because the proceeds of this book is going to a foundation. Stanely mentions that when you go into prision, the guards give you a strip search, and the prisoner has to take off all of his/her clothes to make sure that they arent carrying any weapons. I didnt know that, and I didnt know other things that Stanley talks about. So I learned a great deal from this book.
On: 2006-12-09
this book is good! makes me not want to go to prison at all. this is a must read for people that keep acting up. not a long book at all. some of it had me shaking my head.
On: 2006-07-28
Its aimed at junior and senior high school kids to keep them out of gangs. Im not going to go into my feelings toward this guy or the death penalty or his execution. As far as the merits of this book, I think it might get some kids to think. Williams does a good job of describing prison life. For some kids it might be the smells, others the rules or something simple like never being able to have a soda again. But if he can help one kid stay out of prison he has done something good with his life. Does it make up for the bad? Ill leave that up to God, karma, whatever. Its not for me to decide.
On: 2006-07-27
Its aimed at junior and senior high school kids to keep them out of gangs. Im not going to go into my feelings toward this guy or the death penalty or his execution. As far as the merits of this book, I think it might get some kids to think. Williams does a good job of describing prison life. For some kids it might be the smells, others the rules or something simple like never being able to have a soda again. But if he can help one kid stay out of prison he has done something good with his life. Does it make up for the bad? Ill leave that up to God, karma, whatever. Its not for me to decide.
 On: 2006-06-02
I guess I should have read the reviews before purchasing this book.
This book is nothing more then a childs "stay out of jail" pamphlet. It took less then a few hours to read and only that long on account of how boring and vauge it was.
In short, it was a huge waste of money for an adult. If you want to share some "truth" with your wayward son or daughter, perhaps this book would be good. However, everything is generalized and if your children have passed elementary school, they will also lose focus in regards to this book.
In short, I wonder if I can get my money back....
On: 2006-01-17
I felt the book gave good insight on what its like to be in prison. This book was not intended to glamorize prison life, but to make an attmept to try to get kids to change their way of thinking and not want to go to prison. The purpose for the book is to reach children before they commit crimes and end up in prison. I applaud Mr. Williams for his efforts, who better than to learn from than from someone that was in that situation. Society is failing the young people and yes sometimes it is were you grow up, that is how some kids know how to survive their neighborhoods by joining gangs or committing other crimes and sometimes its peer pressure, unless someone intervenes our children are doomed to a world of violence and crime. Mr. Williams was a product of such neighborhoods and society and there was no one there to intervene for him. So from his cell he decided to try and reach out to these children to try and get them to NOT follow in his footsteps and I applaud him for that. There are alot of people out there who dont care and when you try and put down something that can get kids to turn their life around I think either you are scared of the unknown, your are ignorant, or you just dont wont to see our children succeed.
I know what these kids have to go through and Ive seen it. I am a black american and head start teacher.
On: 2006-01-17
Stanley Tookie Williams is the main character in this book. He is now in prison on San Quentins Death row because he was found guilty of killing 4 people in 2 robberies. He wrote this book from death row. I believe that if Tookie really was guilty of this heinous crime that he would have confessed to doing this, because he is a real man and as a real man, you do a lot of things differently. Tookie doesnt really change throughout the whole book, but he does talk about redemption.
I really liked this book because it taught me a lot about the prison system and about death row and how sometimes they can take a really long time to execute someone on death row. I also found out how the notorious CRIPS gang was founded and that Tookie was the cofounder. Tookie was given this sentence for the murder of four people in the two robberies. And now hes dead and along with him, dies the history of the CRIPS gang. Everybody appealed to the governor to keep him alive but it failed and was killed by lethal injection. And I would definitely recommend this book to anyone though.
 On: 2006-01-06
The person who wrote that pointless flamed review below exhibits complete ignorance and is just a pure racist!
On: 2005-12-23
The wining in the book is pathetic. To me the narrative seemed a thinly veiled attempt to win a pardon from death row. Much better works out there. Try Reymundo Sanchez "Once a King, Always a King." Better read.
On: 2005-12-19
Have you all been watching the news? 3 innocent people were gunned downed in their cars just days ago........3 innocent females ( 2 seemed to be on purpose, and 1 seemed to be random.
I am not sure Tookies movies/books are even making a DENT in gangstyle murders, and drive-bys. Is this notion of books even effective for these type of crimes? Its like trying to stop the flow of Hoover Dam with paper towels and tissues. It is just not enough to do the job. Too much blood flow on the streets. It is WAY TOO TAME.
Barbara Becnel seems to have a lots of time, energy and resources.
It would be great if she and other Tookie supporters could round up ex-gang members and make some impact in these rough inner-city schools....by having them speak out OPENLY AND LOUDLY AGAINST GANG VIOLENCE............in any case the efforts and impact should be much more FORCEFUL than they have been.
It could be done in Tookies memory.
On: 2005-12-15
Gives a very un-glamorized look at life in prison. Tookie voices his regret over his past sins and urges children not to follow in his footsteps. The book is written with a very genuine aire, not a canned lecture at all. Loved it. I encourage you to read this book WITH your child. Theyre apt to have a few questions for you.
On: 2005-12-13
Stanley "Tookie" Williams is by far as notorious as Al Capone; at least in name. Id be $100 that hed get clemency if he were white. The book is a damn good read. Recommended for all.
On: 2005-12-13
I have been keeping up with this man thoughout his incarceration. He has done so much good that his life should definitely be spared. However, as of this writing he is going to be executed at 12:01 am PST, Tuesday. The governor refused to grant clemency!! After multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize and his many books against gang violence, he has convinced me and about 50,000 other people that he is a changed man and his life should be spared!!! Even if the powers that be changed his sentence to life in prison without parole, he could continue teaching our young people to stay out of gangs. My prayers will be with him and his family.
On: 2005-12-13
The book is depressing. Demeaning. I did not enjoy it that much, but Im sure it was not written to be entertaining. Yet, it is a must read for all young Black males. Despite his accomplishments while incarcerated, I am angry with this Stanley Tookie Williams as well as with the thousands of other Stanley Tookie Williams living out their lives in prisons all over the United States. In them, I see fathers, sons, brothers, and uncles who could have been...should have been, were it not for one stupid mistake, one bad judgment call that cost them their entire lives. It is useless to hope that young Black men will look at his example, look at the system under which they live, and run in the opposite direction. Perhaps a handful will, but countless thousands of others will not. And whose legacy is that? Therein lies my anger. Tookie...another beautiful black man who, under other circumstances, might have been a good husband, father, mentor. Not just his family, friends, but I myself will weep for him, mourn his demise...in anger.
On: 2005-12-12
I have been keeping up with this man thoughout his incarceration. He has done so much good that his life should definitely be spared. However, as of this writing he is going to be executed at 12:01 am PST, Tuesday. The governor refused to grant clemency!! After multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize and his many books against gang violence, he has convinced me and about 50,000 other people that he is a changed man and his life should be spared!!! Even if the powers that be changed his sentence to life in prison without parole, he could continue teaching our young people to stay out of gangs. My prayers will be with him and his family.
On: 2005-12-08
Marginally written tails of life in prison by a convicted serial murderer. Your time is better spent elsewhere.
On: 2005-09-20
Seems to have been written at a level intended for elementary age school children. I wasnt aware of this when ordering. Hopefully, Blue Rage, Black Redemption, which I also ordered, was written for an adult audience.
On: 2005-09-02
I THROUGHLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. GIVES A GREAT INSIGHT TO LIFE ON THE INSIDE!!
On: 2005-09-01
I THROUGHLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. GIVES A GREAT INSIGHT TO LIFE ON THE INSIDE!!
On: 2005-03-04
Do you want to know what life in prison is?
Life in prison is the wersiest life because you dont git to be with your famliy you dont git to eat what you what to eat. The pepole in prison can bet you up, all the time you can dide in prison. Prison is no game prison is not fun prison is not cool to be in. If you think prison is a little game and that it is not going to git siris but it git s harer once it is in real life. Life in prison it is not cool at all you dont git to go any were you want. You can not do any thing you do in the out wold evey thing you do you can not do in prison. This is a book for every one and for people who want to know what is prison like.I recommened this book because it makes people know what perison is realy like.
On: 2004-09-02
This book was very good. It kept me really interested. I dont even like reading and i read the book in one day. i Feel sorry for him even if he did killl four people becasue of the life he has. He should atleast be treated like a human. It talked about how he has to watch his backe verywhere he goes because it is so dangerouse and how everybody is sick and the gaurds dont do anything for you and how you have stupid rules of wether you can see the doctor a cirtain amount of times or how many books you can have in you cell. Its just rediculous. They are already going to kill him so why make his life more miserable than it already is! The book was great and i cant wait to see the move!!!
On: 2004-04-19
I never read the books or heard of Stan Tookie Williams, he was already in prison about time I was born. So I had no idea what his life was about till I saw the movie. I got an understanding who he was and what he was about. I really wish I could turn back the hands of time for him so he could get a second chance. Then I realize he is getting a second chance. By getting his stories out there and his movie hes changing someone life from alife of crime. And Im glad he turned his life around.
On: 2004-04-16
Im sitting here watching this movie, and wow...it is amazing. I have not read the book, nor have I ever heard of him. THis story is truly amazing. You do get to a point where you feel sorry for him. I hate to say that, but it is true. Im ordering the book right now... I bet it will be better than the movie.
On: 2004-04-12
I havent read the book, but I am going to search the nearest store for it. Even though its said "Tookie" may have killed 4 people, his movie, played by Jamie Fox, touched my heart to believe Stanley is trying or has already changed His life to pattern His ways as a Man of God. I have and always will follow the path of God as so will my Mother, who is a pastor and has been for 17 years. I strongly believe Stanley has tried to make a change in His life and is truely sorry for ALL the wrong He has done over the years of His youth. I know of several youth at the time, now going older in prison, started out similar to the way Stanley started His life of hate against not having a father, drugs, and fighting.
On: 2004-03-05
The author has been imprisoned at San Quentin since 1981, on death row. He was sentenced to die for the murder of four committed during a convenience store robbery. As hard as it is to imagine caring about someone who has done such a thing, reading Tookies book makes you feel sorry that his life has been wasted behind bars. You wonder what he could have done with his life if he had not gone down the road he chose.
This crime was not all Tookie did before he was arrested. He and a friend started the street gang the Crips, which has flourished and spread all over the world. What a legacy!
The purpose of Tookies book was to dispel some of the street myths surrounding prison life. He had no fear of prison, which was considered a gladiator school by kids on the streets. Once he was in the system he saw the reality and wanted to spread the truth.
Obviously Tookie is intelligent. The book is written in an easy-to-read format. Hes aiming his message at young people who may not be the most sophisticated readers. The book is full of details that paint a realistic picture of all aspects of prison life. He also has a website where readers can communicate with him.
By the time you have finished this book you feel you know Tookie well and have shared his prison experiences. He has written other books, and reading this one makes you want to read more.
On: 2003-04-13
The intended audience of this book is young men who admire prison convicts and aspire to put a prison experience on their own resumes. If you are such a person, yes, by all means do read this book.
But this is a good book even for those of us who are, at best, minimum-security material. The most impressive part, for me, was what Tookie has to say about loneliness, isolation, lack of privacy, lack of control over ones schedule, and the gradual disappearance of personal connections to people outside the big house.
On: 2003-04-01
Life in PrisonIn the book Life in Prison there is only one character. His name is Stanley Williams whose nickname is �Tookie�. This character tells about his life in prison and educates people on how it is to be in prison for life. The author does a good job to express the words of Tookie. Tookie tries to send a message to all teenagers on how it is when you make bad decisions. The story kept me interested throughout the entire book. The authors Stanley Williams and Barbara Cottman Becnel did a great job on keeping my interest by writing how it is to live in a cell with a certain amount of space. The other reason it kept me interested was because the story was written in very strong words that touched your heart. My favorite part of this book was when they talked about rules that there are in prison. Of course they didn�t mention all the rules, but they did mention a couple. For example they have some rules that I would of never thought they had. For example how long your fingernails can be or what size of television you can have. Another reason this story kept me interested was because they talked about hoe some people who spend day after day lose touch with reality which some of them become claustrophobic. From this book I learned how it is to be in prison. I learned how important it is to stay out of there. Not only do some people suffer from the rules there, but some people get mentally challenged because they cant realize the fact that they are in there for life! I would certainly recommend this book to my friends. I think this would be a great book to read for entertainment as well as to learn a little bit more about life in prison.
On: 2003-02-06
The story was about life in prison.I enjoyed his book because he is trying to teach kids not to follow in his steps. [Sonia De Luna]
On: 2002-07-10
This is an OK book. I think it is ok for young kids, but I just think the entire thing was boring. I have read stories about TOOKIE in police biographies and according to them this guy is a real scumbag. He used to smoke PCP and run down the streets naked at night while working for a youth center! He also assembled 200 crips to go on a citywide crimespree in 1977. This guy was a real luney. He also Killed 4 innocent people and then laughed about the death gurgles to his friends! Rumor has it he is the leader of a big prison gang called the BLUE NOTES.
On: 2002-04-19
I think that life in Prison is a great book because it teaches kid how to stay off drugs gangs and prison. Tookie Williams take you through prison, and tell you how your life would be if you were in Prison. In this book Tookie tell you the truth about drugs, gangs and prison. Tookie wants young people to have what he didnt have growing up., some one to tell hum the truth about prison life, and to tell him that prison was not a good place to live. Prison is not the best place because you cant see your parents, friends, and all the things you had before prison. They tell you when to eat, shower and even when to use the bathroom. At the beginning of the book Tookie William writes, " San Quentin is no place youd ever want to be . Its a dangerous place,"....... "I use to hear Rocky tell us stories about how can prove is man hood in prison". Rocky was his best friends brother , who went in and out of jail.This shows that he was heading the wrong way. Tookie tell you the facts. " Rocky would pulls out a pictures from his wallet, and show us pictures of his friend posing in prison and looking happy, you dont have anything to do in prison. You have no freedom". Tookie Williams wrote Life in Prison, he wants to reach out to kids that dont know the truth about drugs, gangs and Prison. When I was at Horace Mann Middle School, they had prisoners who came to our school and told us the truth. They got us feeling of how our lives would be if we were in prison. The same things that they told us, Tookie also wrote about in his book. Tookie also wrote to make up for all the wrongs that he created when he formed the "Crips" gang. One thing that we hate is regret. We always have regrets of something, If you dont want to spend the rest of life in prison regretting what you did, then you should read this book.
On: 2001-10-09
Tookie talks about his life in prison. He complains about everything from the size of his cell to the food that is served. He never mentions how sorry he is for killing his victims or for their families. Its is really a boring book that can be read in a half hour. Prison is not supposed to be fun! Compared to many countries prisoners in America have it made.
On: 1999-11-15
Its a great book for the purpose -- kind of a "scared straight" book, written by a life-term inmate with the street credibility of a co-founder of the Crips.
Theres no insight about how Williams came to be "found guilty of killing four people in two robberies" -- maybe that would mess up potential appeals. Nor is there much insight about the gang life outside prison.
The book could benefit from mentioning the effects of a shorter term in prison, such as for robbery or drugs. The vast majority of inmates arent in for life, but for shorter terms. By concentrating on how hard a life sentence is, does that leave an implication shorter terms are "not that bad"? Why not some discussion of how a felony conviction can cramp ones style for life, even for someone who is used to living on the edges of society?
On: 1999-04-12
I thought the book was very good because it did not just talk about himself. It talked about him, his friends, and others. It also told how things really are, not all those tall tales you hear on the streets. It told the truth about what goes on behind bars. I, myself, especially liked the chapter about the violence that really happens in prison. He also told about alot of experiences that he and others have had in prison. He also went into detail, like what you are allowed to have and how much or how big. Over all I thought Life in Prison was a very good book and reccomend it for other readers.
On: 1999-02-25
In this book, Life In Prison, Stanley "Tookie" Williams cofounder of the crips gang and Death Row inmate for sixteen years, offers a testimony that ends all myths about prison life in this book. In straightforward, honest prose, Williams out about what its really like in prison-- and challenges all young people to choose the right path.Told in first person, this realistic picture of prison life is meant by the author to serve as a cautionary message for youngsters who may be misled into thinking, like he did, that prisons are so called gladiator, a cool and manly place to be. He does a magnificent job in describing his caged feelings, the danger, humiliations, and crime of being held in prison. Stanley Williams, convicted of four murders, does not deserve to be compared to Nelson Mandela, in my opinion for being arrested for almost no reason. While Williams says hes sorry for dropping out of school, and so on.. he never once said sorry about killing four people. I feel that Life In Prison is an outstanding bibliography of the life of Stanley Williams. I also think this books theme is that you should watch who you hang around, and always think about what youre doing and where it could lead you to in the near future. Read Life In Prison to find out what happens on the other side of the prison wallsnd how inmates are really treated, or if you just want to learn more about The United States Justice System, Juvenile System, Law and Crime, 9-12 Sociology then this is the book for you. The strengths which this book possesses is that its very descriptive and really tells how he feels in a formal way. The one thing that I have against this book is that it only tells one side of the story. the author, Stanley Williams, also needs to further consider the age recommendations for this book. I think that it should be 12 and up. So ask for this book and look for it in your local library. I still want to know how it is to live in prison for the rest of your life, dont you? Tyler Cook, Grade 6 newburg Middle School
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