The Darkest Hour: Stories and Interviews from Death Row

by Nanon M. Williams

"The Darkest Hour: Stories and Interviews from Death Row" by Nanon M. Williams emerged from a deep and dark despair in a place where the thought of suicide often holds more appeal than the thought of living. The hopeless ones live below the line but not Nanon Williams. Williams reached high beyond despair with outstretched hands and on tiptoes. He took a firm grip on the branch of hope and hoisted himself up above the line. While on Texas Death Row, Nanon was an inspirational voice. This work, now in its second edition, has expanded his inspirational influence beyond prison walls to men and women everywhere. His voice reaches others who measure their lives by an hourglass and do not see enough sand remaining to do anything of importance with their lives. We all learn from Nanon Williams that we can race against time and win.

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2002

About the author

Nanon M. Williams, writer & human rights activist, was born August 2, 1974. Nanon grew up in Los Angeles amidst the violence and poverty that plagued the city. As a teenager, Nanon stood out for his academic and sporting achievements and dreamt of a career as a football player. He was an All-American and the recipient of over seventeen athletic and academic scholarships. In 1992, when Nanon was only seventeen years old, he was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to death by the state of Texas.

As a young boy on death row, Nanon discovered a passion for writing and committed his life to being a voice for those who have been silenced. He began with poems, which he published in 2000 under the title The Ties That Bind Us, and continued on to write numerous essays as well as several books, providing a poignant look at life on death row. In 1997, Nanon began publishing The Williams Report as a contribution to the debate against the death sentence and to provide an international voice for incarcerated individuals around the world. Readers interested in subscribing to The Williams Report may do so on Nanon’s website, www.NanonWilliams.com.

As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Roper vs. Simmons, Nanon’s death sentence was converted to a life sentence in 2005. With his transition to general population, Nanon was able to study for and complete his GED in 2007. He then began college courses offered through Trinity Valley Community College. He earned an associates degree in Liberal Arts and Science and also took trade courses in Horticulture and Cognitive Intervention. He is currently working towards his Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences through University of Houston-Clear Lake. Upon completion of his Bachelor degree, Nanon will begin working towards his Masters in Literature.

Through writing, Nanon has found a way in which to endure daily life in prison, connect with and enrich the world beyond prison walls. Nanon’s message is a message of peace and nonviolence. He actively works to bring attention to the atrocities that routinely occur behind bars and seeks to be a voice for those who have been silenced while offering a platform of education for those who may learn compassion and kindness for a population of people who are all too easy to shun and turn our backs on.

Nanon is currently writing his autobiography, which will be published by goodmedia press in 2013. While Nanon continues to live a life of service to others, it is the hope of his publisher and loving community of family, friends, fans and followers that his work be a force of change that will bring him justice and freedom so that he may continue to be a force for peace in this world.

Reviews

[Brenda Villarreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is real and it gives new meaning to the everyday life that we take for granted. It is a powerful book that emphasizes on giving a human being a second chance and not seeing someone for what they have done but for the person they truly are. I found it powerful that some of the men interviewed mentioned that for those lost young adolescents heading in the wrong direction, words are meaningless unless they come with actions that demonstrate that you actually care for them. This is a message to society that we need to change how we treat each other and we need to love one another. Great book! I am looking forward to the next book soon to be released! What an inspiration!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite any preconceived opinions about Death Row, this is a book that will make you question what you believe. Not that it's a glaring expose, but it's written by a former Death Row inmate speaking with others. He asks them about their lives before they were incarcerated, and we learn about the many unfortunate twists and turns these men take along with what happens to the psyche as they "hurry up and wait." Beautifully written by a man who continues to defy all odds and stereotypes, The Darkest Hour is a must read.