Prison Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Through the Test of Time II by D. Angel

An unfiltered look into the author’s long road to recovery and stability following his prison sentence, Through the Test of Time II: As Time Went On… by D. Angel is a revelatory confession and a visceral memoir.

As Angel tries to piece together the shattered parts of his personal relationships, parental arrangements, and financial foundations, the hits keep on coming, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the slippery slopes of post-incarceration life. Though many of his problems seem driven by struggles with self-control, this narrative also examines common triggers of PTSD, steps of recovery after a variety of trauma, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-08-17T11:16:54+02:00August 16th, 2023|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Prison Book Reviews|

Review: Dreaming in Chinese by William Tsung

Raw and unflinching, Dreaming in Chinese: Memoirs from a Taiwanese Prison by William Tsung is an unforgettable tale of injustice and perseverance.

When Tsung landed back in Taiwan for a short trip from Los Angeles, he had no idea that his freedom was about to be taken from him. After being caught with marijuana-infused snacks that he relied on for anxiety, he was dropped into the faceless machine of Taiwan’s overcrowded prison system. Tsung was quick to adapt to life behind bars, and found use as a translator, but this behind-the-scenes peek reveals just how dehumanizing, dangerous, and depressing prison […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-03-28T10:52:26+02:00February 16th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Prison Book Reviews|

A Generation of Dark: A Prison Notebook by C.F. Villa

After fifteen years in solitary confinement in a California SHU (Special Housing Unit), writer C. F. Villa offers short poems and essays chronicling his prison experiences, along with memories of childhood in an indigenous family.

Villa asserts that SHUs restrain, control and essentially torture those inmates who demonstrate most resistance. The picture conveyed by Villa of his enforced isolation is extremely depressing, yet he mixes endearing family photographs among the essays, along with poignant recollections of his mother. Remembering his twelve-year-old self, Villa recalls his grandfather who served in World War II, his father who always believed in him, taught […]

Barbara Scott2017-06-27T06:48:35+02:00June 22nd, 2017|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Poetry Book Reviews, Prison Book Reviews|

Review: Federal Prison Handbook by Christopher Zoukis

There is a great deal of literature written about the prison system in the United States, and given that roughly 1 out of every 100 adult Americans will be incarcerated at some point in their lives, it is a subject that deserves attention. However, books written from the perspective of an inmate, about the detailed inner workings of life in prison, are far less common. In Federal Prison Handbook by Christopher Zoukis, no aspect of prison life is overlooked, making this a deeply compelling read for anyone who has ever wanted to learn more about life behind bars.

The book […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-02-11T09:50:00+02:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Non-Fiction Book Reviews, Prison Book Reviews, Social Science Book Reviews|

Writing Behind Bars – by Author Jamila Davis

What’s it like to be a writer in prison? Jamila T. Davis, called by the media “the woman who brought down Lehman” for her part in a multi-million dollar fraud, is a self-published author currently serving 12.5 years in the real “Orange is The New Black” facility, Danbury FCI. This is part one of our two-part guest blog post with Jamila about writing from prison, and how she has found purpose with self-publishing.

Each morning I open my eyes, I am surrounded by dreary walls that remind me of my past mistakes. For the last 7 years I’ve been locked […]

Cate Baum2015-07-01T04:34:41+02:00June 30th, 2015|Categories: Features, Interviews|Tags: Prison Book Reviews, Writing Tips|